Stantec Q&A: Surveyor and pro lacrosse player Mike Carnegie

Mike Carnegie takes the phrase “out in the field” quite literally. In addition to working as a survey analyst for Stantec in Calgary, AB, Mike is a professional lacrosse player. He was recently named to the Canadian national team for the World Indoor Box Lacrosse Championships and last summer brought his sport to children in Africa.

Q: What’s an average work day for you?

A: Currently, I am a survey analyst in the engineering side of the Geomatics Group, although I have performed many roles within the group. For me, an average day at work consists of preparing an engineering package for our Urban Land Engineering team and filling one or two eLibrary requests. So, for the engineering package, that means I might take the underground utilities, sidewalks, roads, lanes, lots, curbs, etc. of a subdivision and turn that design into a suitable format for the surveyors. Our eLibrary is an initiative set up in Alberta to help Stantec employees retrieve various types of data. In Calgary, I am the lead on the project and help many departments find aerial photographs, land titles, survey plans, contour maps, linework, and anything used in the concept and design stages.

Q: How long have you been playing lacrosse? 

A: I have been playing lacrosse for 16 years now. I play professionally for the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse league (NLL). My route to the NLL started in Buffalo where I was asked to attend an open tryout and from there I was selected to the practice roster. After a year in Buffalo, one of the Buffalo coaches accepted a head coaching job in Calgary and asked if I would come west with him. Now, I am entering my fourth season with the Roughnecks.

Q: Is it difficult to balance time between your lacrosse and survey careers?

A: It can be challenging at times to balance both careers but having an understanding boss makes it much easier. Both jobs have taught me the importance of time management. With lacrosse, I have to be diligent that I plan my days accordingly so that I can train/workout in order to be prepared. In the same way, I need to be organized for Stantec so that I meet my deadlines.

Q: How did you end up bringing lacrosse to Africa?

A: In August of 2010, along with members of my church, my wife and I went to Uganda on a two-week service trip. I contacted the Alberta Lacrosse Association to let them know what I was doing and they donated over 100 lacrosse sticks for me to take for the children we were working with. I ended up teaching lacrosse on a sunny Friday in Africa to 50 or so orphaned children who had never heard of or seen the game of lacrosse. It was an amazing opportunity that I will remember forever. My faith is the most important thing in this world to me and I always take great strides to jump at opportunities to share it.