NAK’s Staff Spotlight series has the goal of letting you get to know our team better through a series of 6 questions, geared to explore how we chose the field of design, what our guiding principles are, and what type of advice would we give. Today, we are getting to know, NAK Ottawa’s Regional Director, Jennifer Hemmings!
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What did you want to be when you grew up and why?
When I was a younger, I wanted to design rollercoasters for a living – that dream led me to pursue engineering in university which in turn led me to Landscape Architecture. It’s a good thing I didn’t end up going down the rollercoaster route because I took my kids to Canada’s Wonderland a few years ago and I cannot handle them anymore!
What made you choose the field of Landscape Architecture?
I didn’t….one of my university professor’s thought it might be a good fit for me when I started complaining that there wasn’t enough design in the engineering program, I was enrolled in. Landscape Architecture aligned with my interests, and I really enjoyed the variety of work and multi-disciplinary aspects of the profession.
What are some of the principles that you have lived by? What guides you?
First and foremost, treat others how you would like to be treated, results will follow accordingly. Our decisions guide us – for me, when opportunity knocks, go for it! You can always redirect your path if things don’t work out.
If you could trade lives with one person for a day, who would it be and why?
I would trade places with an astronaut in outer space for a day – I’ll skip the rocket launch into outer space and the return flight home – but I would love to see the earth from that perspective.
Do you have any favorite stories from your work life? What are they?
When I was first hired as a summer student at NAK I remember thinking I had the best job ever – colouring masterplans for presentations in the boardroom on Adelaide St W. I immediately loved the fast-paced work environment, office culture and people. I’ve had many great mentors along the way (Sil, Paul, Naz and Tom) and shared lots of laughs and worked through many learning moments.
Moving up to Ottawa and working out of an old farmhouse with Mattamy while building a park and an entry feature in the middle of undeveloped farm field was certainly an experience I have learned from and I will never forget.
Above all, my favorite work stories always relate back to the people at NAK and the fun we’ve had. Memorable office parties and legendary work lunches after a tough week of deadlines built great friendships that I’m thankful for today, and helped reset the balance of a challenging work environment.
What career advice would you give to your younger self?
If I could go back in time and speak to my younger self I would say “Relax! Have fun and don’t worry so much. Nobody knows everything – except Harold when it came to construction – and your ideas and contributions are extremely valuable. Speak up more!”