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.

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Happy 30th Anniversary, Lynn Neal! Join us in congratulating Lynn on reaching this incredible milestone! We're so lucky to have you, Lynn!

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Happy 15th Anniversary, Eric Helminiak! We're so lucky to have you on our #origincrew! Join us in congratulating Eric on reaching this incredible milestone!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #itstartshere


We're excited to welcome Kelly Jo Fassbinder to Origin Design! As our new Marketing Manager, we can't wait to see all that she will achieve in this role!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Kelly Jo!

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#WorkingOnTomorrow

Origin Design has teamed up with the City of Davenport to enhance three of its parks! Our civil engineers collaborated with the City to create multi-sports courts at Cork Hill Park, Herington Park, and Van Buren Park!

Discover more about the project here: https://origindesign.com/projects/davenport-multi-sports-courts

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #parksandrecreation


#WorkingOnTomorrow

Looking for a great spot to enjoy the outdoors this summer? Check out our project, Off Shore Hotel & Resort , located in Bellevue, IA! Our team has helped the resort expand its campground by adding 114 new sites along with essential utilities and connecting roadways!

Find out more about this exciting project here: https://origindesign.com/projects/off-shore-resort

#CreatingABetterTomorrow #OriginDesign #LandDevelopment #Municipal #LandSurvey


#workingontommorow

Check out the results from our collaboration with the City of Dyersville and Dyersville Economic Development Corporation on the expansion of the Dyersville 20 West Industrial Center! This extension created four new lots zoned for both commercial and industrial use!

Learn more about the project here: https://origindesign.com/projects/dyersville-20-west-industrial-center-phase-3

#creatingabettertommorrow #origindesign #landdevelopment #municipal #transportation #waterresources


Welcome our Summer 2025 Interns!

Luke Althaus, Ryan Ruppel and Connor Richmond recently joined our #origincrew!

We are excited to have these three talented interns joining us this summer! Working across three departments, these interns are sure to make an impact!

#creatingabettertomorrow #yourfuturestartshere #internships #origindesign!


#workingontomorrow

Last week some of our engineers attended the Dubuque Gate & Pump Station Flood Mitigation Project Kick-Off! We're excited to be partnering with the City of Dubuque, Iowa, Portzen Construction and more on this phase of the Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project.

The new facility will include a new flood gate, four new 100,000 gallon per minute pumps (double the capacity of the existing facility), new electrical service, and the installation of back-up generators.

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #beebranch

Join us in welcoming Amelia Retzlaff to Origin Design! Amelia recently joined our Architectural Team & we're so excited to see what she accomplishes in this role!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Amelia!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #yourfuturestartshere

#workingontomorrow

Check out these completed photos of this bridge replacement project on Cosgrove Road over N. Branch Old Man's Creek in Johnson County, Iowa.

Learn more about the project and see more photos here: https://origindesign.com/projects/cosgrove-road-over-n-branch-old-mans-creek

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #transportation #bridges

Join us in welcoming Sophia Adams, EIT to Origin Design! Sophia recently joined our Dubuque Office as a Structural Engineering Designer!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Sophia! We're excited to see what you accomplish in your new role!

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #yourfuturestartshere

We're excited to share that Nathaniel Nelson is officially part of our Quad Cities office as an Architectural Associate! After his internship this Spring, he's now a full-time team member.

Welcome to the #origincrew, Nate!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #yourfuturestartshere

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