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.

We’re excited to welcome Derrek Hall to Origin Design as our newest Field Survey Technician!

Derrek will play a key role in supporting our growing survey team through comprehensive fieldwork and document-based surveying responsibilities. Please join us in welcoming him to the team!

#origindesign #origincrew

Join us in congratulating Mark Fassbinder, the 2025 Waugh Award winner! This award, named for our co-founder Dennis Waugh, recognizes employees who truly embody what Origin Design stands for. Way to go, Mark!

Read more about Mark’s recognition: https://origindesign.com/newsroom/fassbinder-accepts-waugh-award

These smiles represent just a few of the 63 reasons we celebrate Origin Day. Every person plays a part in the story of Origin Design—today, we’re celebrating them and enjoying Founder’s Day cookies by Nick Rettenberger.


#origindesign


Today our offices are closed as we celebrate the day we were founded—February 1, 1982!

We’re proud to take a moment to reflect on our journey and to thank our incredible staff and clients who have helped us grow and thrive over the years. We couldn’t have built something so lasting without you!

#origindesign

We’re still buzzing from last week’s Chamber Business After Hours!

Thank you to everyone who came, connected, shared ideas, and tested out the VR simulator. We enjoyed hosting you!

At Origin Design, we believe every project teaches us something valuable. That’s why we hold an annual “Lessons Learned” discussion!

Virtually bringing together our Dubuque, Davenport, and remote employees, this open forum is all about sharing experiences, both wins and challenges, so our team can grow together. By learning from each other, we can improve processes and move forward smarter and stronger. Here are just a few of the 41 employees that were able to attend this valuable conversation.

#origindesign

What a cool weekend in Downtown Davenport!

Our Davenport office team had a blast at Icestravaganza, enjoying amazing ice sculptures, live carving, fun activities, and warming up with a little hot cocoa.

We’re proud to be a sponsor of this annual winter event and love seeing our community come together to enjoy it!

Origin Design is excited to welcome two new talented professionals to our IT team: Cameron Steffens (IT Infrastructure & Systems Specialist), and Adam Waggoner (IT Support Specialist). We look forward to the contributions they will make, shaping the future of Origin Design.

Welcome to the #origincrew!

Join us in welcoming Austin Pettlon to Origin Design! Austin recently joined our Architectural Team as a Revit Designer. We can’t wait to see the amazing impact he’ll make in this position!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Austin!

Cheers to 5 years! We’re proud to celebrate Mat Townsley and all his incredible contributions over the years. Here’s to many more!

We’re thrilled to welcome Luke Althaus back to Origin Design! Luke previously interned with us, and after graduating in December, he’s now a full-time member of our Structural Engineering Team. We can't wait to see all that he will achieve in this role.

Welcome to the #origincrew, Luke!

As we welcome 2026, we’re grateful for the amazing people who make our team shine—and for the trust you place in us. Here’s to another year of working together and creating something great!

We’ll be closed January 1 to celebrate New Year’s Day!

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