ARTICLE

Finding Purpose Through People: A Career Journey at Origin Design

At Origin Design, careers are more than job titles; they’re about alignment, impact, and belonging. For me, the journey began with the people and the culture.

As an HR professional, I’ve always believed that the heart of any great company lies in how it treats its people. Origin Design stood out because of its commitment to putting employees first. From day one, I felt the difference—this is a place where people matter, and where the work we do truly makes a difference in our community.

Career Alignment: Adding Value Beyond HR

My role at Origin Design aligns with my personal career goals. I’m not just working in HR—I’m contributing to the broader operations of the company and helping others reach their full potential. That’s what drives me every day. Whether it’s recruiting top talent or supporting professional growth, I know that my work helps build a stronger, more capable team. And when our team thrives, so do the communities we serve.

Culture That Inspires

To me, a great workplace culture is the ultimate accomplishment. It’s about enjoying the people you work with, feeling supported, and being part of something bigger than yourself. At Origin Design, our culture is:

  • Supportive
    We challenge each other to be our best, knowing we have each other’s backs through every obstacle.
  • Mentorship-Driven
    Thanks to young leaders at Origin Design, our mentorship program is formalized and thriving—ensuring that we continue to invest in the future of our company.
  • Empowering
    Every employee is encouraged to forge their own path, whether that’s technical, leadership-focused, or something entirely unique.
  • Inclusive
    We foster a sense of belonging through opportunities to get involved, give back, and be ourselves. Many of our team members volunteer, serve on boards, and support local nonprofits—not because they’re asked to, but because they’re passionate about making a difference.

Purpose & Impact: Building a Better Tomorrow

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is knowing that by recruiting, retaining, and growing our talent, I’m helping Origin Design deliver exceptional service to our clients. That translates into real, tangible improvements in the communities we work in. It’s a ripple effect—strong teams lead to strong projects, which lead to stronger communities.

Advice to Job Seekers: Finding the Right Fit

If you’re searching for the “right fit” in your career, know that it might not happen overnight. You may need to explore different opportunities before you find one that truly aligns with your values and goals. But every step of that journey teaches you something valuable. And when you do find the right fit, you’ll know.

WORKING ON TOMORROW
CONTACT US

At Origin Design, we’re proud to recruit and grow the best in the industry. If you’re looking for top-tier mentorship and the freedom to shape your own career path, this is the place to be.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Troy Wright serves as the Director of Human Resources for Origin Design. With over 25 years of experience, Troy brings a wealth of knowledge in Human Resources best practices to our organization.

Follow our journey.

Another Field Trip Friday here at Origin Design! This week we're on the ground checking in on the new Westphal & Co Office & Shop Building, seeing progress from site sketch through the early stages of construction. We can't wait to see it continue to take shape!

As Architectural Intern ElleAnna DeSollar wraps up her summer at Origin Design, we're reflecting on the impact she made and the experiences she gained along the way. Before heading back to school, we asked ElleAnna to share a few highlights from her internship journey. Take a look at what she had to say!


We were proud to be a Hole Sponsor at the Annual Russell Charity Golf Outing. Connecting with community members, clients, partners, and friends is one of the many reasons we enjoy supporting events like this. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello and spend some time with our team!


Field Trip Friday! Our team was out on the Cheese Country Recreation Trail supporting one of several active projects with the Tri-County Trail Commission. From bridge measurements to survey work, we're helping gather the information needed to support trail improvements and protect areas impacted by erosion.We're proud to play a role in helping keep this community resource safe and accessible for everyone to enjoy!

Congratulations to our Employee Owners on their recent promotions! Your hard work, growth, and dedication continue to make a difference for our clients, team and community.

We're proud to have you on our #OriginCrew!

https://origindesign.com/.../origin-design-announces-2026...

The smell of fresh popcorn can only mean one thing: it’s Popcorn Thursday at Origin Design! A simple tradition that makes the workday a little more enjoyable.Shoutout to our Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, Karen Weber for making sure the popcorn machine is always working overtime. She’s the reason Thursdays are a whole lot better around here.

Have you heard the news? Origin Design is growing.

We're seeking experienced Transportation, Municipal, and/or Structural Engineers to join our team in our Dubuque or Davenport office. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve, we'd love to hear from you!

See all open positions here: https://origindesign.com/careers

Join us in welcoming Laura Hernandez to Origin Design! Laura recently joined our Water Resources Team as an Engineering Designer. We can’t wait to see the amazing impact she’ll make in this position!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Laura!

Our team had an exciting afternoon celebrating the ribbon cutting of the Platteville Aquatic Center! We’re proud to have played a role in bringing this project to life by providing land development, architectural, and survey services. It’s always rewarding to help create spaces that will serve and strengthen the community for years to come.

Put your expertise to work on projects that shape communities and a career you’ll be proud of. Join Origin Design today! https://origindesign.com/careers

On International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate the incredible impact of women across engineering. Thank you for the work you do every day to move us forward and inspire what’s next. 

n Oelwein last month, Origin’s Construction Inspection and Testing team supported the 10th St. Bridge deck pour, part of the bridge and roadway projects we inspect across the region. We verified epoxy-coated rebar ahead of the pour, then performed on-site testing during placement including air, slump, and depth to confirm consistency and meet project specifications. From placement through curing, our team remained on-site to monitor, document, and help ensure the deck was built right.

See all posts