Jonathon Palichuk

Edmonton
Team member since 2017

Department
Site Development

What has been your favourite social event at Al-Terra?
In April 2024, Al-Terra's charity team partnered with SCARS Animal Rescue to organize a puppy play date. SCARS brought a litter of puppies to the office, giving us the chance to meet and play with them. Spending time with those puppies reminded me how much I love dogs and how much I missed having one. Less than a week later, I adopted a dog from SCARS - not one of the puppies, but a large, lovable 2-year-old ball of sunshine.

What is your favourite thing about your career or industry?
My favorite thing is the variety of work. At Al-Terra, we have the opportunity to develop skills in many different areas such as project management, contract administration, interpersonal communication, detailed design, and drafting. We engage with every aspect of a project from start to finish. I believe having a team with such well-rounded experience greatly benefits us and the quality of our work.

If you could give a younger person career advice, what would it be?
Be inquisitive and ask questions. Every task is a learning opportunity, and it’s important not only to understand how to complete a task but also why it’s necessary. Simply asking "why?" can open the door to valuable teaching moments, offering deeper insights into the engineering process and expanding your knowledge base. An inquisitive mind will serve you well throughout your entire career.

I am a dedicated Engineer-in-Training (EIT) in our site development team, working on such projects as school developments, building modernizations and park developments. My role requires close collaboration with clients, architects, and other engineering disciplines. My strong interpersonal skills, ability to connect with people and an approachable nature are key assets I bring to the team and our clients. Building and maintaining lasting client relationships is a top priority for me as I continue to expand my knowledge and technical expertise on the path to obtaining my P.Eng.

Before joining the site development team, I spent several years working in our rural transportation group, where I developed skills in surveying, project management and construction administration. My experience working closely with contractors, clients and landowners helped develop my keen direct communication skills and prepared me well for my current role in site development.

In my free time, I enjoy playing hockey and spending time with my dog, friends, and family.