First-year experience highlights what employee growth, company culture, and purpose-driven engineering look like at THP.
Lauren Schmitz, Senior Project Engineer
One year after joining THP Limited, Lauren Schimtz reflects on a role that has supported her career growth, reinforced her values, and given her work real purpose. From working across a wide range of building envelope projects to applying critical thinking to identify root causes and practical solutions, Lauren has found energy in meaningful, owner-focused work. She points to THP’s supportive culture, collaborative teams, and mentorship as key factors in her professional development, along with opportunities to preserve buildings and revitalize communities.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy getting to work on so many different types of projects and being able to move between them throughout the day. The mix of project sizes, phases, and client needs keeps things interesting and gives me the chance to tackle new challenges with fresh ideas.
What aspects of your work give you energy or excitement?
Critical thinking! I really enjoy tracking down the root cause of a condition and then developing a practical solution. There are countless ways to treat the symptoms of a problem, but until its cause is understood, it’s going to keep showing up. When we identify the issue and address it directly, we help the building perform better and make life easier for the owner by reducing ongoing maintenance. That’s the part of the work I find especially rewarding.
How would you describe the culture at THP?
I’d describe THP’s culture as welcoming and genuinely supportive. If I’m ever feeling stretched with deadlines or even navigating something outside of work, I can talk with my team, and we’ll shift things around together. It’s a place where people support each other so no one person is constantly overwhelmed and that makes it a great environment.
What makes you feel supported at THP?
I feel supported when I receive thoughtful feedback on my work. Comments that look at the full drawing set or report—not just a single detail or paragraph—help me provide more comprehensive and thorough submissions. That kind of guidance makes a real difference.
Do the opportunities at THP align with your career goals?
Yes, absolutely. I’m working alongside principals and project managers who provide a lot of knowledge, and they help me navigate the more challenging parts of a project. I’m able to learn from their experiences and focus on doing the work well instead of repeating the same missteps others have already resolved. Down the road, I’ll be able to pass that same support on to the people who come after me.
What skills or experiences are you/have you developed in your role at THP?
Before joining THP, most of my work was with private owners. Here, the Building Envelope team partners with many public owners and institutions, so I’ve been learning how to navigate their established processes and workflows. There are a lot of detailed steps involved, and working at THP has helped me recognize and manage those nuances in a way I probably wouldn’t have picked up on otherwise.
Does your work make you feel like you’re making a difference?
Yes! Reviewing a condition on site and making an immediate suggestion for repair is so important in stabilizing a structure. THP provides the flexibility to be on-site to make those suggestions and, in turn, preserve the structure. That’s one of the most impactful aspects of the work.
What part of your job is most meaningful to you?
Revitalizing communities by saving buildings. Growing up in Dayton, Ohio and seeing many areas become dilapidated was difficult, so I’m thrilled that I am helping communities reinvest in their buildings and preserve their history.
Does your job at THP fit within your personal values or interests?
Absolutely. One of my professional fears is providing design that isn’t constructable because I didn’t consider the people using it. I appreciate that THP provides innovative design with community-driven goals in mind.
What is unique about THP that stands out to you?
The colleague culture from leadership and management to designers and technicians is unique. We have a culture of excellence that everyone strives to achieve each day, and the support of experienced team members guiding others is something that other companies I’ve worked with don’t have.