Mathewos Kiflay - Al-Terra

Edmonton
Team member since 2023

Department
Transportation (Rural)

What is your favourite thing about working at Al-Terra?
The chance to contribute to impactful projects that improve rural infrastructure. I value the collaborative environment, where I can engage in various aspects of design and surveying, and learn from experienced professionals. It’s rewarding to be part of a team focused on creating lasting, high-quality infrastructure solutions.

How do you cultivate work/life balance?
I prioritize work/life balance by setting clear boundaries between my professional and personal time. During the workday, I stay focused and organized, managing my tasks efficiently to ensure that I’m making the most of my time. Outside of work, I make sure to engage in activities that recharge me, like playing soccer and reading fiction. Staying active helps me stay mentally and physically sharp and reading provides a creative outlet that helps me unwind. By balancing both, I feel more energized and focused when I’m at work.

What has been your favourite social event at Al-Terra?
My favorite social event at Al-Terra is the skating and hockey game event. I didn’t know how to skate at first and ended up falling seven times, which motivated me to practice. After a week, I can now skate comfortably although I have had twenty seven falls (at least eleven of them bad falls) during practice. It’s always a great time.

I am part of Al-Terra’s rural transportation department, where I actively contribute to key design and surveying efforts. I assist with survey work, data analysis, line work, and design on projects like Highway 18 & 44. Over the years, I’ve gained hands-on experience in surveying and project coordination, blending technical expertise with project management skills to deliver results.

I am a dedicated Civil Engineering Technologist with a diploma in Civil Engineering Technology from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Edmonton, Alberta which I earned in 2019. I started my career as a surveyor, where I gained valuable experience working with various types of survey equipment and refined my precision and data analysis abilities. Between 2021 and 2023, I worked as a Project Coordinator with E-Construction, managing project timelines, bidding jobs, and resources. This role helped me build a strong foundation in efficiently handling projects and ensuring they stayed on track. I am passionate about advancing my career and aim to earn the designation of Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) to continue making a meaningful impact in the field of civil engineering.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing soccer. It helps me stay active and enhances my teamwork and strategic thinking – skills that I apply to my professional life. I also love reading fictional books, which allow me to relax and spark my creativity.