About Hengda Liu
Title: Forestry Technician Crew Leader
Team Member Since: May 2019
Industry Organizations: Trainee Forest Technologist with the Association of BC Forest Professionals
Career Path
Q: Describe your career path. How did you get into what you do now?
A: I started working for Spectrum right after I graduated from Fleming College. I was born and raised in a mega concrete jungle in China called Shenzhen. However, instead of working behind a desk every day, I’ve been dreaming to turn nature into my office one day. This job gives me an opportunity to adapt and pursue the lifestyle I’ve been dreaming about.
Goals & Passions
Q: What are your goals for you and your team?
A: To enjoy what we are doing out in the bush. I often encourage myself to appreciate the opportunity I am given to explore nature. I also want to create a warm and comfortable team environment for everyone to work in. Sometimes the weather is bad and the ground is rough, knowing there are people for me whenever I need them definitely makes those tough days go faster.
Q: What are you most passionate about professionally? What excites you most about your work?
A: Even though it could be very challenging sometimes, I am most passionate about finding that middle ground between timber harvesting, conservation for wildlife and our beautiful forest. Meeting people from different backgrounds is always exciting. We spend time together as a crew more than with anybody else. This job really brings people together.
Hobbies & Interests
Q: What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
A: I love cooking. I love to cook authentic Chinese dishes for my Canadian friends to try something very different. I also love filming what’s happening around me every day and edit them into a video. Memories fade but videos make them eternal.
Q: What’s something about you that not many people know?
A: I am working on a series of videos to help people better understand this industry. Such as “a day in the life of Forestry Technician” and “a day in the life of a lumberjack.” I would love to make those videos in both English and Chinese and introduce these cool jobs to people in China.
Q: Who was the most influential person in your life?
A: My dad is the most influential person in my life. My dad is a man who is down to earth and treats his friends and family with his big heart. Be kind and useful is what he is expecting from me, and I am trying everything I can to not let him down.
Q: What is a value statement or quote you live by?
A: “Just do it.” Imagination is our limit, before I say I can’t do it, I would always give it a try and just do it.
