b"BCBEC FOUNDATION AWARDS PROFILEBCBECFOUNDATION AWARDS PROFILE:Rosa ShamsF rom her beginnings in the electrical industry, RosaBE: How has BCBEC supported your career?Shams made a hop, skip and jump over to theRS: BCBEC has been instrumental in shaping my career. building science industry to follow her true calling.Currently, I work as a building envelope engineer at Busque Winning the Tom Morstead Memorial Award inEngineering Ltd., and I'm eager to further my knowledge in 2021 gave Rosa the confidence to pursue what wasthis field to become a professional engineer, benefiting both truly meaningful to her. myself and my company. Attending BCBEC workshops and BCBEC Elements: What drew you to building science? events has been invaluable for expanding my understanding and connecting me with experienced professionals in the industry. Rosa Shams: I have a background in electrical engineering. It's like a central hub for all things building science, helping me My work during and after by bachelor's degree was mostlylearn how to handle different situations at work and overcome related to wiring and circuits. When we were working inchallenges effectively. Besides gaining new knowledge, I also have the electrical section of new buildings, sometimes thered bethe opportunity to brainstorm and exchange ideas with others. different contractors there, and I dreamed of understandingStaying up to date is crucial in this field, and BCBEC provides how every part [of the building] was put together to makean endless well of knowledge, connections and inspiration to somewhere for people to live, and that was the starting pointkeep me informed and motivated.that drew me to the building science. I completely changed my direction from my bachelor's in electrical to my master's degreeBE: Can you tell us about your internship as a research assis-in building science. tant at BCIT?BE: What did it mean for you, personally, to receive RS: When I started work as a research assistant I was working this award? with Zelalem Abebe at Test Hut, and my research was related RS: When I got this award, I was completely in the middleto new material in the construction industrycross-laminated of my research for my thesis, and it was a high five from thetimber (CLT)and evaluating its hydrothermal performance universe to me. I was putting in serious hours at BCIT, workingin B.C. climate. Zelalem taught me a ton during my internship, hard on my research and drafting up my thesis. [Winning thehelping me enhance my knowledge of CLT and its importance award] was pretty inspiring for me, and when I got it, I thoughtin construction. It was a great experience that broadened my to myself, Oh! This is your time to rise in building science.understanding of mass timber products and helped me figure out Dr. Fitsum Tariku, one of the coolest professors I've everthe important points that need to qualify for a material set to known, nominated me, reminding me why I love what I do. Itbecome a mainstay in the industry.motivated me to work even harder and see how far I could go in the field of building science. BE: Do you have any advice for people looking to start a BE: How did winning the award affect your future career? career in building science?RS: I should say that this award serves as a significant additionRS: My biggest piece of advice is [to be] curious and open to to my resume, facilitating conversations and boosting my confi- learning. Because this field is always finding new materials, tech-dence to engage with professionals in the industry, which wasnologies and sustainability practices, students should be open to a little bit hard for me with my electrical background. It waslearning and keeping up to date with the latest developments.undoubtedly beneficial for my career progression and Visit bcbec.com/bcbec-foundation/awards for more information on personal journey. BCBEC Foundation Awards, nomination criteria and how to apply.24 BCBEC ELEMENTSA BCBEC PUBLICATION"