Merve Erenler is a project controls analyst for Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) based in Toronto, Ontario. She has over five years’ experience in project controls, construction/mining procedures and budget control. Merve is also a volunteer at the Toronto Section Student Board Committee and recently has been selected as a student representative.

Born in Ankara, Turkey

Merve was born in Ankara, Turkey, and lived in the same city. She received her bachelor’s degree in geological engineering and an honor’s MBA degree from Hacettepe University, Turkey. During her senior year, she also worked as a junior geological engineer in the mining industry and during her MBA studies she worked in the construction industry.

Has Mining and Construction Experience

Merve’s first actual journey in project controls started with her first job as a junior geological engineer during her senior year with Jemad Consulting Mining, Turkey. Merve was responsible for various positions as Jemad was a small-scale consulting firm. Merve was tasked to prepare 2D/3D geological/mining drawings through AutoCAD, prepare geological/mining reports through all phases of mining projects. She was also responsible for providing technical consulting to Jemad’s clients. After having a bachelor’s degree, Merve was promoted to geological engineer in the same firm. After working for two years in the mining industry, Merve decided to work in the construction industry where her desire came from. She worked as a site superintendent and pursued her master’s MBA degree at Hacettepe University. After working 1.5 years at Kutanoglu Construction, Merve decided to move to Canada to follow her passion and expand her network.

Has Desire to Continuously Keep Learning

With the desire to continuously keep learning, Merve pursued her advanced diploma degree in Civil Engineering Technology at George Brown College, Canada, where she earned honors for all semesters and became a dean’s medal winner for her program. While earning her advanced diploma, she completed internships with Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). After the internship Merve was hired as a junior project control analyst at AECOM where she was providing consulting services to TTC. After graduation, Merve joined the project controls team at Toronto Transit Commission. Her work includes updating costs, analyzing cost as well as cost/schedule variances, implementing estimates, tracking various scale of construction projects for over 100 projects, contributing earned value management reports, project summary reports and maintaining historical cost databases.

Volunteering is Step Toward Reaching Personal Goals

Merve’s advice to the next generation of young professionals would be to start volunteering during their education, explore the area of interest and make connections. She would love to see them becoming part of AACE and collaborating with industry professionals. Merve has found that volunteer work is a great way for young people to reach their personal goals through attending technical and networking events.