Neda Druzic, Assistant Manager - S&C Electric Company
Neda Druzic is an Assistant Mechanical Manager at the S&C Electric Company. Neda graduated from George Brown College with a diploma in CAD CAM. Prior to working at S&C Electric, Neda worked as a Mechanical Designer at Commercial Switchgear Limited (CSL). Working now for 19 years at S&C, she hopes to continue delivering S&C Electric’s products and design solutions while training and developing the future generation of designers.
Having married early, Neda initially found herself spending quality time with her husband and kids. When her kids started going to school, Neda decided that she wanted to go back as well! After going to ManPower, a leading staffing and recruiting company, she realized that she would like to learn more about mechanical design. Throughout school, it seemed like she was destined to be in this field, as her hard work and ‘luck’ led to the jobs finding her. So it was no surprise that she had a job with CSL lined up prior to her graduation.
A Glimpse into Neda’s day at S&C Electric
In 2000, Neda started her career at S&C Electric as a Senior Designer. Unexpectedly, after her boss went on sick leave, Neda was made the interim Assistant Manager of the Mechanical Designing team. Already close to his retirement, Neda was promoted to the Assistant Manager position she currently holds today.
Her current team consists of 12 designers. In her job, she manages her team’s projects as well as their work schedules. She is there to assist them with their day to day design activities as well. She explains that there are standard procedures when it comes to actually designing and preparing drawings for the end product. The drawings are always designed for the customers needs and require their approval prior to evolving into ‘production drawings’ which are sent to the S&C shop for production.
She and her team are in constant communication with the other parties involved in S&Cs sales and design teams. She talks with the Sales team to prepare for any new projects that may be coming up in the future. During the project design, she speaks with an Application Specialist on defining and refining the scope of a project. Using ‘spec summaries’ they are able to assess what can and cannot be done in terms of the design of the product for a particular application. At the S&C shop, she inquires from the workers about the progress of the production of her team’s design as advises them if complications arise.
They also work closely with Electrical Designers to design for equipment such as switchgear. Switchgears are a main point of distribution. They are able to distribute, control and isolate power through switches, breakers and other control components.
While the Electrical Designer will plan out the internal components and wiring of the switchgear, Neda and her mechanical team are tasked with coming up with the framework and enclosure that will house all these internal components and subsystems. As such, Neda explains that this often leads to the mechanical team taking longer to put together the design package. They are in charge of the physical components and requirements to meet the footprint and clearance requirements of the switchgear.
It is a field where she is always learning and she loves it!
The Next Generation
To keep up with the energy industries growth, S&C will have to advance its products and designs. As she puts it, “If you don’t jump on the bus, you will be left behind” Neda explains that there are various ways that people can keep track of the industry and its future. One can read and research to learn. The one she finds most effective is taking the time to have a conversation with other industry professionals. They are involved in the same kind of business which means that they are in the ‘same boat’ as you. They are as curious and determined to find the latest and greatest.
Another important part of the company’s growth is also hiring new people. When you hire young people, you are bringing in new thinking and more diversity within a workplace.
Neda explains that training and development is a priority for her team. Having recently hired two more mechanical designers, she aims to train them the best that she can. She hopes that she reduces the error rate of the designs produced while presenting a nurturing environment where her team members can learn and thrive in. Even though she is nearing retirement, she is still learning, trying to improve herself in any way she can. She aims to share her knowledge with them, the same that was done to her by her former boss. Her aim to is make sure that they are able to be successful and independent in the future.
Neda’s advice to Interested Individuals
Neda’s advice to interested industry professionals, is to always have a goal and work hard to achieve it. It also helps when your goal is a result of your passion. Do not follow someone else’s dream. You will find that you have a lot more determination if it is your own.
She also emphasizes to have a good attitude in every experience you go through. You never know when an opportunity comes knocking.
When you learn or achieve something be humble about it. Remember that where you are today is not only because of your hard work and attitude but also because of the people you are surrounded with and have supported you through your journey.
