Chronicle 2017

PROFILES

Navigating the waters of shipbuilding

KAREN CAMPBELL 2010

Profile by Kimberley Weaver 2010

Five senses – and five reasons the Class of 2010 graduate Karen Campbell loves the ship design and building industry. Having recently completed her master’s degree in naval architecture and marine engineering at UBC, Karen has already had the opportunity to work at two shipyards: first as a summer student at Seaspan in Vancouver (building research vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard) and, more recently, at

either. It demands a great deal of creativity, both to come up with the designs and then to troubleshoot when the designs don’t quite work as planned. If you can’t decide what dis- cipline you like, consider being a naval architect! As a third reason, Karen has really appreciated the opportunities that naval architecture and marine engineering provide for international experiences. There are opportunities

Halifax’s Irving Shipbuilding for an eight-month co-op placement (building ice-capable Arctic patrol vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy). Karen is thrilled to have recently returned to Irving to begin full-time work. The first reason she loves what she does? Ships are amazing! Karen explains that ships often have to be completely self-sufficient so that they can spend long periods of time at sea without access to outside support systems. Each ship is designed to meet a very specific mission profile. Fitting all of the mission requirements into a finite space without the components interfering with one another presents a fascinating design challenge to an engineer like Karen. Which brings us to reason number two – all of those different requirements make for a very interdisciplin- ary field. Engineers need to have sound knowledge in many different scientific and mathematical fields, including everything from structural analysis and flu- id dynamics, to manufacturing methods and material properties. The job isn’t all about math and science,

to work with individuals from around the world (less than half of Karen’s class at UBC is Canadian) and to work abroad, as well. Karen’s career could take her all over the world. In fact, she has already travelled in style on an oil tanker for 13 days from Newfoundland to New Jersey to learn more about how ships function after leaving the shipyard. Fourth, even though her colleagues come from all over the world, Karen really appreciates the fact that they all have at least one thing in common – a passion for the marine industry! It’s one thing to love what you do, but Karen says that it makes a huge difference when you get to work with enthusiastic people who love the work, too. And the final reason Karen thinks that shipyards are the place to be? The view, of course – both inside and out. From the awe-inspiring sight of a ship coming together on the shipyard floor, to the harbour views outside, this is not your typical office job. Karen wouldn’t have it any other way.

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