Finding the Balance with Mary Wurst

Mary Wurst is a lighting designer and electrical engineer DLR
Group. Her design philosophy revolves around seeing light,
whether natural and artificial, as the soul of any space. A
chance encounter with a cadaver arm ended up steering her toward
getting an engineering degree, and she’s now a Senior Associate
at DLR Group.  We discuss the importance of exposing high
school students to different careers, the challenges that
mid-level professionals face, how she balances her work life with
her home life, and why firms should be less focused on the
rigidity of the 9-5.


Show Recap:


How Mary ended up going to engineering school

Why it's important to expose students to different career
options

What made her join an integrated design firm instead of
working for a strictly engineering firm

How she decided to become an electrical engineer

What it was like advancing from Intern to Senior Associate at
the same office

On having independence at work

What she loves most about being an engineer

The biggest challenges that mid-level professionals face

On struggling with what your career aspirations are

How she balances working full time and having two young
children, and whether or not she ever considered not working

Taking her son to the grand opening of a project

Why firms should be less concerned with employees working
strict 9-5 hours