My Â鶹´«Ã½ Story: Exploring a graduate consultant role with Safa Ghanem
September 11, 2025
Safa shares how Â鶹´«Ã½ supports her pursuit of career and personal growth
In the My Â鶹´«Ã½ Story series, our designers, engineers, marketers, project managers, and leaders come together to share how their career journeys at Â鶹´«Ã½ have shaped their lives and moved them closer to their goals.
Tell us about your role¡
With a background in mechanical engineering, I¡¯m a graduate consultant in the Programme Management and Commercial Management (PMCM) team within Advisory Services at Â鶹´«Ã½. In my role, I currently focus on helping clients deliver complex infrastructure programmes efficiently. Over the last two years, I have primarily worked in the water sector, preparing for AMP8. Recently I have started to work in the energy sector, supporting a large energy infrastructure programme.
What attracted you to a career at Â鶹´«Ã½??
When looking for graduate roles, I wanted to join a company where I could make an impact and drive meaningful change. Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s values of putting people first, doing what¡¯s right, and focusing on community really stood out to me. I was drawn to the opportunity to contribute to work with lasting impact. The emphasis on meaningful infrastructure and public value, combined with the opportunity to work on a variety of programmes within Advisory Services, made Â鶹´«Ã½ especially appealing early in my career.
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What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy how varied my role is. The diversity of clients and sectors I¡¯ve supported has helped me develop quickly while keeping everyday engaging. Being part of our award-winning Advisory Services team has also been an excellent experience. I feel consistently supported and am always learning from those around me. Above all, I¡¯m encouraged to do more than just what¡¯s in my job description. From attending industry events to STEM outreach, I have gained just as much outside my job as I have in it.
How has your personal and professional development been supported at Â鶹´«Ã½??
Stantec has supported me in pursuing chartership through the Association for Project Management (APM) and Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). I¡¯ve completed the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification and am now preparing for the Project Management Qualification exam. I was also on the organising committee for the annual IMechE Essential Management Skills conference. The experience strengthened my leadership and communication skills which I look to apply in my everyday role.
I really appreciate the support I¡¯ve been given to undertake and personally develop beyond my work. Whether as a well-being champion and mental health first aider or as pillar lead for Social Connections for the Developing Professionals Group (DPG), I love the fact I can support my colleagues while gaining some leadership experience myself.
Being part of our award-winning Advisory Services team has also been an excellent experience. I feel consistently supported and am always learning from those around me.
What are your ambitions for your future at Â鶹´«Ã½?
I want to grow into a well-rounded consultant, contributing to the delivery of critical infrastructure while supporting others in their development. I¡¯m continuing to work towards chartership to better support our clients and hope to take on greater leadership responsibilities as I progress through the business. I hope to work with more of our clients, helping shape how we deliver complex programmes and drive long-term value for clients and communities.
What are your passions outside of work??
Beyond my day-to-day role, I¡¯m a mental health first aider and the well-being champion for our office. Supporting a healthy, open workplace culture is important to me. As part of this, I host monthly ¡®well-being coffee and cake¡¯ sessions to bring people together and encourage open conversations which is a highlight of every month for me. Outside of work, I enjoy long walks, watching and occasionally attending Formula 1 races, and baking (feel free to ask me about my almost BakeOff experience).
Why should others join the Â鶹´«Ã½ team??
Stantec truly values their people, and you can build a meaningful career with a company that invests in you. In my experience, they invest time and effort into understanding their people and supporting professional growth and development. There¡¯s a genuine focus on helping individuals succeed, and it¡¯s clear to me that Â鶹´«Ã½ understands their strength comes from their people. It¡¯s a collaborative, supportive environment where you feel your contributions matter.
At Â鶹´«Ã½, we put people first. For Safa, that means working where she can make an impact and drive meaningful change.
