Alexis Schur, P.Eng.
This month The Professional Edge chats with Alexis Schur, P.Eng. Alexis is a process engineer with K+S Potash.
Tell us about your personal background. Where are you from? Where did you attend university?
I was born and raised in Lanigan, Sask. I completed high school in 2013 and went straight into engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 2018.
After university, I worked at Crop Production Services in Drake, Sask. In August 2018, I got my job with K+S Potash Canada as a process engineer. For me, this was a dream come true. I was getting to work at a very new mine with many learning opportunities to further my career and I was working in the potash industry.
I moved to Regina Beach when I started my job.
Why did you choose to go into engineering?
I always had a strong interest in math and science and being an engineer seemed like a great career to utilize those skills. I also had a strong desire to work in the potash field and being an engineer at a potash mine was a career that really interested me.
I am also a very social person and I knew engineering would give me the option to use my math and science skills, but also allow me to have social contact working with others on a daily basis.
Were there any engineers in the family who influenced you?
I am the first one in my family to become an engineer. My parents encouraged me from a young age to become an engineer. They took me to Spectrum at the U of S so I could obtain information and gain a better understanding of the options I would have as an engineer.
My Dad did influence my interest in wanting to work in potash. My Dad was the warehouse supervisor at the Lanigan mine. Growing up, hearing about potash mining and it being such a dynamic part of our community, I decided I wanted a career in potash.
Related to the industry, what would be your dream job?
Honestly, right now I am in my dream job. I am challenged every day and always learning and growing as an engineer. I want to keep learning all areas of the process plant and maybe one day be a superintendent.
What do you do for continuing professional development? Are you involved in any outreach programs?
Being such a young engineer and having such a busy work schedule, most of my continuing professional development is done within my job. The past two years we have taken several training courses to learn new software to help us in our careers.
What are your interests outside of work? What do you do for fun?
Outside of work I like to spend my time outdoors – golfing, biking, walking and playing with my puppy. Since moving to Regina Beach, I have also taken up ice fishing and summer fishing.