Meet Antonia Christou, CEP
At CIMA+ we are powered by brilliant minds that work towards leaving a positive impact on the world. As soon as Antonia Christou started with CIMA+, she has been making waves and is a valued team member with her work in our Project Management team. We spent some time getting to know Antonia better and learning about what inspires her everyday.
What inspired you to become an engineer?
What inspired me the most was the aptitude to finding solutions to daily problems and optimizing it in order to benefit everyone. Contributing to a project and creating something that is impactful to others is very fulfilling. Having the opportunity to leave your mark into something that started from nothing is what motivates me every day.
What is your field of expertise and why did you choose this specialty?
I graduated from Concordia University in civil engineering, and I specialize in construction management. I chose this specialization because I like being involved in the development of a project. There is no better feeling than seeing a project come to life.
What project are you most proud of and how did this project help the community?
Presently, my mandate is at the University of Montreal and my projects are to renovate the school in order to create a better and safer environment for students and employees. Going back to my experience as a student, I know how much of an impact an environment can have on your learning abilities. With that being said, one of the projects I am most proud of is the renovation of the Claude-Champagne Music Building which has a beautiful exterior structure but was in bad condition and in a darker environment. We embellished the space by renovating the roof for a safer and more durable structure, we changed the walls, carpets and wallpaper. This project created a more enjoyable and motivating environment for students and employees.
What does sustainable engineering mean to you?
To me, sustainable engineering is a well-constructed project that is built on a solid foundation to last a long time and ensure endurance while providing a safe environment for users. In addition, trying to create something new using recyclable materials is a good way to contribute to sustainable engineering.
What do you enjoy outside of engineering?
I spend time with my family and friends. I try to do different activities and cook different recipes. I love to cook and I think I am pretty good at it given the fact that I haven’t poised anyone yet. I am very artistic and love to paint and use my creativity in my daily tasks to find solutions to problems outside of the box.
As a female in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), what has been your greatest reward?
My greatest reward has been becoming more confident and comfortable in STEM and gaining the knowledge to excel in problem-solving skills. Seeing my work come to life and making a difference in a community and organization is my greatest reward. STEM gives me the opportunity to explore different aspects of my field.
What is your advice for women who want to pursue a career in STEM?
Try your best to be confident in what you are doing even if things prevent you from feeling confident. Fake it until you become it! With the increase of more women in the industry, it is important to never fear to give your opinion, share your expertise and shine. Your voice and opinion matters.