ISL Young Professionals – Jesse Mehler

I started out by completing a Diploma in Architectural & Building Technologies at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in 2013. That opened the door to my first roles in the construction industry, beginning with Wright Construction as a Project Coordinator, where I spent several years learning the ins and outs of shop drawing reviews, scheduling, site safety, and on-site coordination. From there, I moved into a Project Lead position with Meridian Development, where I took on more responsibility for contracts, scopes of work, and subcontractor management.

After that, I shifted over to the design side, working in Vancouver as an Architectural Technologist with
NSDA Architects. That experience gave me a different perspective on projects, coordinating with consultants and preparing permit and construction drawings, which really rounded out my understanding of how buildings come together from start to finish.

I returned to Saskatchewan in 2019 and decided to pursue my degree in Engineering and graduated in the
spring of 2025 with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, focusing my upper year coursework on structural systems and design. My experience in construction project management and architecture, combined with my engineering education, has given me a well-rounded background and a genuine appreciation for every stage of a project. It’s also given me a glimpse into multiple professions and a strong understanding of how everyone’s role contributes toward achieving the same goal.

Since joining ISL, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of structural design workflows and how they tie into coordination across disciplines. I’ve had the opportunity to review structural shop drawings, prepare and sketch site instructions, and perform detailed analysis and design using S-FRAME, SP-Slab, Sizer, and Mathcad.

I’ve also grown on the project management side — learning how to communicate effectively with clients,
contractors, and suppliers, coordinate timelines, and problem-solve on active construction sites. Taking on
the Safety Lead role has been another valuable experience, helping me strengthen my leadership,
organization, and team communication skills.

My favourite project so far has been the SaskTel Warehouse Loading Dock. I first worked on it during my
summer internship, completing the design, and when I returned to ISL after graduation, construction had just started. I was able to pick up right where I left off and see it through to completion. Even though it was a smaller project, it came with its own set of challenges and taught me a lot along the way. It was also the first structural project I both designed and drafted, and the first with my name on it that I got to see built in real time — which made it especially rewarding and a meaningful milestone early in my career.

I really enjoy the variety in my work — no two days are ever the same. Some days I’m analyzing existing
structures and developing solutions; other days I’m designing new systems or visiting a site to see the
design take shape. I also really value the collaborative environment at ISL. Everyone is approachable and
eager to share their knowledge, which makes it an amazing place to learn and grow early in my career.

Since joining ISL, I’ve had the chance to jump into a few fun events with our Saskatoon office — including a couple of golf tournaments that were a great way to hang out and get to know the team outside of work. I’ve also taken part in the company cleanup down in the river valley a couple of times, which has been a great way to give back to the community while spending time with coworkers. It’s been awesome getting involved and starting to experience the culture that makes ISL such a great place to work.

Most of my time these days is spent with my family — I have two daughters, ages 4 and 6, and a one-year-old son. I love being with them and getting to experience the world through their eyes — it’s even helped me reconnect with parts of my own childhood, like relearning the piano and brushing up on my French. Going through university while helping raise a young family had its challenges, but it pushed me to grow, stay motivated, and keep perspective. When I do get some free time, I enjoy playing hockey in the winter and golfing in the summer.

Take every chance you get to learn — both in the office and out on site. Try to soak up as much as you can from the people around you. Watch how your teammates work, listen to conversations with coworkers,
clients, and contractors, and pick up on little tips and tricks along the way. Don’t be afraid to knock on doors and show what you have to offer — be proactive right from the start and take every opportunity that comes your way. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions, push yourself past your comfort zone, and always try to understand why things are designed or built the way they are.