What I Do I'm currently focused on transportation safety. How to reduce fatalities and serious injuries. I'm also responsible for the industrial safety unit. Both areas require coordination and collaboration with multiple departments which is exciting and engaging.
Why Engineering? I actually did not want to choose engineering and pushed against it for longer than I should have. My dad was an engineer so I had preconceived notions about what my career would have to be like and look like based on his experiences, which sounded cool but not my style. When my girl cousin and girl friend in high school decided they would both seek engineering degrees I caved and haven't looked back!
My Day At Work Lately it's a lot of strategic planning, business planning, goal setting, evaluating and reviewing. Coordination and collaboration on the regular! Previously it was more project level boots on the ground decision making.
Best Part The ability to use my talents and strengths in different ways every day. I can overanalyze things that need to be, I can be creative and innovative when opportunity presents itself, and I can think big picture or weeds depending on the scenario. I can check out things in the field or work behind a desk, every day is a new challenge and a new learning experience!
Proud Moments Being asked to take on Lead Project Manager for a significant and high profile project. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, showed me my true capabilities, and is a successful accomplishment that I am still presenting on today month's later.
Challenges I was laid off from my first job out of college. I greatly considered changing directions, but am so glad I didn't!
My Family Married to another civil engineer! We met in college, but actually went to the same high school and didn't really know each other. 2 kids and a dog, oh and a fish!
Dreams and Goals Short Term Professionally - Work: Getting settled in my new position and making great progress on initiatives & Side Hustle: Continuing to share the good word about other women engineers (newsletter at www.ourinspirationstation.com) and mentor others when I can; Personally - Finally getting my health in check, focusing on me more Long Term Professionally - Work: Being seen as a constant resource that can be utilized for the best of my organization & Side Hustle: I have no idea where the future will take me but it's exciting and scary all at once!; Personally - Gosh, my kids won't really be kids anymore... helping them make good choices for their future success - and lots and lots of travel.
Inspiration I'm a family girl for sure. The way my parents raised me and still support and guide me is so appreciated. My husband is my partner in everything... in home stuff and at work. Yes, we work together! For almost 14 years even! I'm also surrounded by so many wonderful females at work that cheerlead for each other and are awesome confidants!
Want to be an Engineer? Look at your strengths and interests, beyond just math and science... there is bound to be an engineering field you could enjoy and excel in! I realized I love construction engineering after simply stepping into the field and it is so obvious now why I do. I've always enjoyed being creative, seeing projects completed, working with my hands, etc. and the connections between those things that are engrained in my DNA and this niche of engineering is so evident now.
Hobbies Writing! I actually published a book about being a woman engineer... it's a self-help, memoir style, aimed to encourage and inspire other girls and young woman to pursue the field of engineering (Building the Life of a Woman Engineer: Constructing the Journey and Lessons from the Field). I also really enjoy crafts and art and baking and exercise.