Episode 16 - Discovering Engineering Technology

January 5, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Episode 16 - Discovering Engineering Technology

Desiree Pastoren did not grow up dreaming of water treatment plants. She worked at a photography company straight out of high school, moved up into research and development, and thought she would stay there forever. Then the company got bought out by a competitor. She took a severance package, went back to school, and chose engineering technology not because she felt a calling, but because it was one of two multi-year programs her employment assistance would fund. The other was nursing. "I am not the type that would go into nursing," she says. "So I chose engineering."

That practical, almost accidental entry point shaped the rest of her career. Pastoren is now a Certified Engineering Technologist and Project Manager at Associated Engineering's Winnipeg office. Her path illustrates a distinct professional route that runs parallel to engineering but follows its own logic.

The Technologist vs. the Engineer

In Canada, engineers and engineering technologists work closely together, but their training and responsibilities differ in clear ways. Engineers complete a four-year university degree focused on theory, design principles, advanced mathematics, and scientific foundations. They take legal responsibility for designs, sign off on compliance with codes and safety standards, and manage overall project direction.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Engineer vs. Technologist: The Core Distinction** - Host Michael Tolbin sets up the key differences between engineers and engineering technologists in Canada.
2 (02:02) **Guest Introduction: Desiree Pastran, CET** - Michael introduces Desiree, a Civil Engineering Technologist and Project Manager in the Winnipeg office.
3 (03:08) **Late-Bloomer Origin Story** - Desiree describes her non-traditional path: working at a photography company, taking a buyout after a merger, and using employment assistance to fund her education.
4 (05:50) **No Childhood Calling, But a Natural Fit** - Desiree admits she never felt a childhood "calling" to engineering, but always enjoyed building, puzzles, and taking things apart.
5 (06:35) **How She Fell Into Water & Municipal Work** - A professor recommended her to a former colleague (Jeff), leading to her first job; she didn't choose water, but it turned out to be a perfect fit.
6 (09:03) **Pros of the Technologist Path** - Desiree explains the advantages: a shorter program (3 years), a focus on practical application over theory, and a required co-op work placement for hands-on experience.
7 (10:55) **Day-to-Day Role as a Project Manager** - Desiree describes her work: managing the transition from design to construction, handling change orders, site reviews, and being the main client contact.

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Show Notes

On this episode of AE Live, host Michael Tolboom speaks with Desiree Pastorin, CET, about her unconventional path to becoming a Certified Engineering Technologist and project manager at Associated Engineering. From school photography to leading water treatment plant projects, her story is a testament to adaptability and her passion to support the communities she's involved in. Desiree’s advice? Keep it simple—whether it’s project management or cocktails.