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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