Quinn Bernier currently chairs the SCS Engineers Young Professional Group. We recently spent time with Quinn following her return from SCS’s Environmental College, a national training forum held annually.
What is your title at SCS Engineers? Please briefly describe your responsibilities at SCS.
I’m a Project Engineer, mostly working on landfill gas system design projects, odor mitigation, and air compliance reporting. I also participate in SMM (sustainable materials management) projects, such as waste characterization studies and convenience center design.
Why did you come to work here? What attracted you to SCS?
I wanted to make a big move after graduating college, and I was looking for practical, tangible work in environmental engineering. The interview really sold me, though – everyone at the office was so welcoming and approachable. I felt like I fit in right away.
What is your favorite part of working at SCS?
Everyone says this because it’s true – the people that work here. There are so many smart, awesome people at SCS that are a pleasure to work with.
What do you feel is your greatest achievement/contribution to date?
Being on the Young Professionals Planning Committee and helping the YP Program grow the past three years while we’ve really expanded the breadth of resources we provide despite COVID – from the leadership interview series, to providing professional licensing advice, and launching a company-wide mentoring program. It’s been a privilege to be a part of serving other young professionals at the company and a lot of fun.
What was your greatest challenge, and how have you overcome it?
I’m still working on it since this largely comes with experience, but gaining confidence in my professional work and opinions. It was hard coming straight out of school to think of myself as a consultant, but I think a big help for me is remembering that I am doing a good job when I am doing the best I can for a client.
Why do you believe you have been successful?
Just putting myself out there. SCS has a very choose-your-own adventure style, and I think being willing to jump headfirst into whatever comes my way has opened a lot of doors. I also owe a lot to my peers and mentors for encouraging me to learn and grow.
You recently became a Professional Engineer (P.E.). What advice do you have for someone that is studying for the P.E. exam?
This might only apply to the P.E. Environmental, but make sure you get to know the equation manual (even the tables and charts) and practice using the search function on it. It will save a lot of time on exam day.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I play competitive soccer, keep fish, and I’m always trying new crafts. I’ve been mostly pressing flowers and sewing lately.
Tell us your favorite aspect of the YP program. What is your role as YP Chair?
The best part about the YP Program is that it’s 100% run by YPs. As the current Chair, I lead the group in our biweekly calls, send out the Program emails, and serve as a Young Professionals representative at the SCS Board Meetings twice a year.
We thank Quinn and all of our remarkable YPs for dedicating their careers to helping businesses and their communities run cleaner and safer! Join one of the most award-winning and results-oriented environmental engineering and consulting firms in the nation.
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