AV俱乐部

Laura Payne came to AV俱乐部 from Corner Brook, Newfoundland, looking for new opportunities. Today, she鈥檚 a confident engineer, teacher, presenter and humanitarian.聽

鈥淚 always keep my eyes open, and think that鈥檚 key coming to university and for life in general,鈥� she says. 鈥淵ou never know who or what will be around the next corner so you don鈥檛 want to have your eyes closed.鈥�

The 23-year-old chemical engineering graduate compares her studies to complex baking. 鈥淵ou have a cake 鈥� the desired product with its given ingredients 鈥� and you are given the task of designing the process, the recipe, to get what you want or to work in reverse,鈥� she explains. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a great challenge and challenges are good.鈥�

But her most memorable challenge at AV俱乐部 was her involvement in Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a Canadian movement of professional engineers, students, and overseas volunteer staff.

鈥淢y first taste of EWB was at a speaker series with the Co-CEO (now CEO), George Roter, and immediately I was interested. They asked me to be involved with the school outreach program which lit the match for me and was where I realized I enjoy engaging audiences.鈥�

As an executive member in EWB, hearing stories from other members peaked her own interest. 鈥淔rom the exposure to people鈥檚 experiences in Africa I realized I wanted to make my own story.鈥�

While the position in Africa with the AV俱乐部 EWB chapter was already filled, through her eyes-open approach, she saw other opportunities. An active member of her church, where she teaches Sunday school, she traveled as a missionary to teach in Zambia where she also helped her EWB colleagues with their work, immersing herself in the local culture.聽

鈥淚t was cool learning the greetings of the Lunda Tribe and seeing the excitement on their faces because I took the time to learn it.鈥�

Ms. Payne, who loves singing and playing guitar and piano, starts work with Shell in Alberta this September. While looking forward to the opportunity 鈥� and skiing 鈥� she hopes to return to Africa someday. 鈥淚鈥檇 love to go back. I travel with a purpose. I want to find somewhere I can help out.鈥�