A day in the life - Tania McKenzie
What work do you do for Systech?
I work as a Senior Legal Consultant at Systech and am currently based in the USA. As a dual-qualified lawyer, fluent in Spanish and English, I specialize in navigating the complexities of international construction law and bring a unique global perspective to complex, multi-billion-dollar construction projects across North and South America. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic approach, I help clients identify and pursue contractual claims, draft and negotiate complex contracts, and resolve disputes efficiently. My focus on commercial awareness ensures that legal advice is practical and aligns with business objectives.
What is your typical day?
As a seasoned remote worker with over nine years of experience at Systech, I've honed my work-from-home routine. While I’m in Houston, where I live with my husband, I typically start my workday around 7am, working from the comfort of my home office. My routine involves tasks like checking emails, following up on client inquiries, reviewing documents or attending virtual meetings.
I'm currently balancing my time between Houston and the charming city of Fargo, North Dakota, where I’ve been part of a groundbreaking project for over a year: a multi-billion-dollar initiative to divert a river and prevent annual floods, which marks the first and one of the largest USACE P3 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineering Public-Private Partnership) in the U.S. Its scale and complexity offer a wide range of daily challenges and opportunities for my professional growth. I'm fortunate to work with a diverse team of over 100 people from 20+ different nationalities and professions; it is a really cool mix! While my first winter in Fargo was undeniably chilly, with temperatures as low as -40°C, the summer was surprisingly beautiful and long, with clear skies, nearby blue lakes, and lush forests.
When I'm not working, I enjoy soaking up Houston's vibrant energy and (very) hot weather. The city’s got it all: massive parks, amazing food and cultural scene! I enjoy biking around, dancing, and hitting up the pool or beach whenever I can.
What are the interesting aspects of your work?
Systech's commitment to flexibility and remote work has been a game-changer for my career. It's allowed me to balance my professional and personal life while gaining invaluable international experience. From working remotely or at a client’s copper mine in Chile's Atacama Desert (one of the world's deepest and largest open-pit mines) to collaborating with diverse teams across North and South America, I've had the opportunity to immerse myself in different cultures and work styles. These experiences have not only broadened my professional horizons but have also enriched my personal life. I've gained a deeper understanding of global business practices and legal systems, which has made me a more well-rounded and effective consultant.
What are the challenges?
While my time at Systech has been an incredible journey, it hasn't been without its challenges. The constant flux of new projects and clients’ needs requires adaptability and resilience. One of the most significant challenges I've encountered is adapting to different work styles and expectations across various cultures and companies. From the direct approach of North American clients to the more nuanced communication styles of Latin American counterparts, understanding and navigating these cultural and language differences has been crucial and demanding.
What training and support has Systech given you?
My career at Systech has been truly transformative. Thanks to Systech’s support, I was able to continue with my legal studies which I had started in the UK, and became a qualified lawyer within just two years of joining the company.
What words of advice would you offer someone thinking of working for Systech?
The rapid pace of international projects can be overwhelming at times. Balancing multiple deadlines, managing complicated legal issues, and adapting to ever-changing circumstances and people requires a high degree of flexibility, strength, and time management skills.
What is the culture like?
One of the things I appreciate most about Systech is the company culture. It's a relaxed and supportive environment, yet there's a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement. This balance allows me to be productive and creative while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. For example, when I was working on a project in Chile, I was able to work remotely from Colombia for a few weeks while visiting my family. This allowed me to spend quality time with them while still being able to contribute to the project.
How has working for Systech helped you achieve your career goals?
Systech's investment in my professional development has been instrumental in shaping my career trajectory. By funding my legal studies and providing ongoing support, they empowered me to pursue my passion for law and become a qualified lawyer.
Systech fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment, encouraging innovation and personal growth. This has enabled me to develop strong professional relationships with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and nationalities and contribute to challenging and rewarding projects.
What makes working for Systech different from the competition?
Systech truly stands out for its commitment to flexibility and global opportunities. The company empowers its employees to work remotely and explore different cultures, creating a unique work experience that balances professional growth with personal fulfillment, while gaining international experience.
Beyond my day-to-day routine, my role at Systech has afforded me the opportunity to travel extensively to diverse locations such as the UAE, Canada, Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, and across several cities in the USA, including iconic national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite.
What has been your greatest achievement working for Systech?
One of my proudest accomplishments at Systech was becoming a qualified lawyer in the UK. With the company's support, I was able to balance my legal studies with my work commitments. This journey was both incredibly challenging and rewarding, and this experience has equipped me with a unique skill set that distinguishes me from others and allows me to provide comprehensive legal advice to our clients.
Tell us about a project where you have learnt a key lesson?
The was a time of national pride and international excitement. For me, however, it presented a unique challenge during my work.
Working at a large-scale USD 4.9 billion steel plant project for a Korean contractor, who is used to a certain level of predictability and adherence to contractual obligations, the Brazilian cultural landscape painted a different picture. Unforeseen strikes, triggered every time Brazil played a football match during the 2016 World Cup in Brazil, became a recurring disruption to our project timeline. These strikes, while deeply rooted in Brazilian culture, were completely unexpected for the Korean contractor, as strikes are uncommon in Korea and these events were not included at all in the EPC contract.
This experience taught me the importance of cultural intelligence and adaptability in the management of an international project.
My key takeaways:
Cultural sensitivity: Account for accurate translation and cultural nuances in international construction projects.
Navigating different legal systems: Awareness of the challenges of working across multiple jurisdictions and the need to analyze the impact of unforeseen events, such as strikes, bureaucracy and political instability.
Contractual considerations: Contracts may not always account for cultural factors. Understanding and experience in cross-cultural legal considerations in construction, from language barriers to legal misunderstandings, is crucial and is particularly important at a drafting stage.
Building relationships: Strong relationships can mitigate risks and resolve disputes.
Adaptability: Flexibility is key to navigating unforeseen circumstances.
