Emily Rogan

 

 

THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS (BLS) REPORTS THAT ABOUT 13% OF THE ENGINEERING WORKFORCE AND 13% OF CIVIL ENGINEERS ARE WOMEN. THAT AMOUNT IS POISED TO INCREASE. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINEERING WORKFORCE COMMISSION, OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSISTENTLY AWARDED MORE MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL DEGREES TO WOMEN THAN ANY OTHER ENGINEERING DISCIPLINE.

 

IF THESE FOUR WOMEN ARE ANY INDICATION, THE FIELD IS IN GREAT HANDS. READ ON TO FIND OUT THEIR STORIES, BOTH PLANNED AND SERENDIPITOUS, AND HOW THEY ARE THRIVING AND MODELING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMART, DRIVEN AND EAGER WOMEN GRADUATING FROM THE NATION’S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

 

FINDING JOB SATISFACTION AT JE DUNN

When deciding where to work after graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Lynnsee Turner looked to JE Dunn Construction Company, one of the country’s leading providers of construction management services, design-build, and integrated project delivery.

 

While most companies were offering project engineers competitive salaries and generous benefits packages, JE Dunn went the extra mile.

 

“What drew me to JE Dunn was not only the fact that the company brings in around $2 billion in revenue each year and builds some of the most impressive projects in many different markets (healthcare, government, hospitality, mission critical, etc.), but also the value JE Dunn invests into each employee as well. Not all companies have employee stock programs, specialized training courses, or allow you to pave the way of your own future,” Turner says.

 

Two years later, Turner isn’t looking back. Based out of the Houston office, she works as project engineer with a growing list of responsibilities that currently includes assisting managers and senior managers with project start-up, coordination during construction, and closeout.

 

Specific tasks might include: processing submittals and RFIs, setting up subcontractor scopes of work, creating/updating project schedules, creating meeting agendas, processing meeting minutes, coordinating with subcontractors to ensure all material is being procured in a timely manner, and assisting the superintendent on-site with daily meetings.

 

It’s an exhaustive list, but Turner is up for the challenge, awaiting each opportunity to take on more responsibility, as she better understands the business.

 

Turner earned a bachelor’s degree in construction science from the college of architecture at the University of Oklahoma. She felt prepared to join JE Dunn Construction, which is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, because the goal of the program is to provide students with real world experiences so they’re prepared for what lies ahead after graduation.

 

“The directors and professors work directly with industry professionals, like JE Dunn staff, to frame a curriculum that will best serve not only the students, but employers hiring them as well,” says Turner.

 

Her greatest joy is to work on-site, as a building is constructed from the ground up. Turner’s daily interaction with a team of professionals, both from her own firm as well as other architects, engineers, and consultants, provides opportunities to learn and explore her field.

 

“The fact that I can drive by a building and say, ‘I built that!’ is the icing on the cake,” she adds.

 

The complex nature of construction itself presents many challenges, notes Turner. “As architects begin to design bigger and more impressive buildings, the challenge to find a way to build the structure increases significantly,” she says. But that itself makes her field all the more exciting and interesting.

 

Turner strongly urges recent graduates to gain experience through internships. She also emphasizes the value of research, to learn about various fields or, more specifically, about companies and what they have to offer.

 

“Investigate which career path and company suits you best,” she advises. “If you are not sure what that is, look for a company that allows you to explore different options.”

 

SERVING A DIVERSE CLIENTELE AT TERRACON

Leila Nodarse began her engineering career as project engineer for her father’s company. After her father sold the company to a national firm, Nodarse formed her own business, focusing on 15 clients. Twenty years later, she merged with Terracon, “to provide even greater opportunities for my employees and clients.”

 

Adds Nodarse, “This is not the typical path to employment but it has certainly been a very rewarding one.”

 

She grew up and attended school in central Florida, earning a degree in civil engineering with a specialization in geotechnical engineering from University of Central Florida.

 

“Geotechnical engineers address subsurface issues with soil and water for design and construction of all types of projects – homes, roads, water features, pipelines, high rise buildings, bridges, and more,” she says.

 

Following the Terracon merger in 2011, Nodarse’s responsibilities moved to marketing and client/busicivilness development for the employee-owned engineering consulting firm. Terracon’s corporate of fices are located in Olathe, KS, but it has more than 3,500 employees providing environmental, facilities, geo technical, and materials services from more than 140 offices in 40 states nationwide.

 

There is a consistent need for the services Terracon provides for its diverse clientele, says Nodarse. “One of the great things about the geo-technical- environmental business is that virtually every business, owner, and government agency needs our services,” she adds.

 

Nodarse cites her earliest work experience— selling Girl Scout cookies, babysitting, and working in her cousin’s men’s clothing store—with teaching her responsibility and earning people’s trust. In fact she adds, “Many of the kids I babysat for are now clients.”

 

Clearly someone who appreciates other people, Nodarse credits her colleagues for making her job such an enjoyable experience. “The people I work with in my office and throughout the country are without a doubt the very best in our industry. It is an honor for me to represent them and offer our services to our clients,” she says.

 

Terracon CEO David Gaboury enhances the company by continually providing ongoing training and tools she and her co-workers need to be successful and deliver their services “responsively, resourcefully, and reliably,” Nodarse says.

 

No matter what the project, there are logistical and technical issues that need to be addressed. “Multiple offices and a robust communications system” counter the vastness of the company and the fact that clients are located all over the country, Nodarse explains. Sometimes, she adds, local people are enlisted to help with a particular project.

 

Sometimes the challenges are more obvious. “We are working with a national apartment site developer who wants to build on a site next to a commuter rail stop, but the land has about 20 feet of unsuitable soft soil that has to be addressed,” says Nodarse, adding, “finding a solution is where Terracon excels.” 

 

TAKING ON PROJECTS WORLDWIDE AT WILLBROS GROUP

Growing up, Susan Slattery loved math. The ability to combine math and problem solving attracted her to a career in engineering, which she pursued after earning a bachelor’s of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Kansas and an MBA from the University of Arkansas.

 

Currently vice president and chief engineer, facilities, at Willbros Group, a global contractor based in Houston that specializes in energy infrastructure for the oil, gas, and power industries, Slattery was drawn to the company because of the opportunity to work on projects worldwide.

 

Slattery’s wealth of experience in design and in the field gives her the expertise to engineer a complete facility. “I provide leadership for a group of multidiscipline engineers, designers, and drafters. They engineer and design various types of facilities, including compressor stations, pump stations, meter stations, terminal facilities, and processing plants,” she says.

 

A licensed professional engineer, Slattery oversees a group of 110 people. “We take on a wide variety of projects. We do not do the same thing over and over; this keeps the work interesting and fresh,” she comments. Also making it a great place to work are the people. “The people I work with are some of the best in the business,” she remarks. “Being a part of our team is enjoyable and rewarding.”

 

Slattery, who has a project management professional certification, says young engineers shouldn’t be reluctant to ask questions. “When I was getting started, I frequently sought advice from mentors and asked whatever questions I needed in order for me to succeed,” she recalls.

 

She encourages students transitioning from college to the workplace to focus on professional development and being a team player. “It’s important to demonstrate flexibility in taking on assignments/roles,” notes Slattery. “You should be willing to explore various professional opportunities.”

 

Fourteen years after she started at Willbros, Slattery continues to pave the way for women interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. In this competitive market, it’s a good idea for interested candidates to start early on their career searches, she advises. “Expressing an early interest in a company and a profession can give you an edge over the competition,” adds Slattery.

 

Recent college graduates should have concise, clear resumes that express professional objectives, ready to distribute at job fairs and interviews. Willbros, Slattery explains, has a strong presence at recruiting events and at college job fairs. Job seekers can also go to the company’s website and apply for positions.

 

Willbros delivers a wide range of offerings for the markets it serves, including engineering, procurement, and construction (individually or as integrated EPC services); refinery turnarounds; pipeline construction; pipeline integrity management; GIS consulting; and other specialty services to industry and government entities worldwide.

 

For Slattery, being a professional engineer has provided many opportunities. “I feel fortunate that I made such a great career choice,” she acknowledges.

 

LIVING THE CORE VALUES AT CDM SMITH

It wasn’t difficult for Alyson Byrne to decide that CDM Smith was where she belonged. During her college years, Byrne was involved with the Florida Water Environment Association’s student chapter. Through that connection, she had the opportunity to interact with members of the CDM Smith team.

 

“It was evident that CDM Smith professionals truly live the core values of excellence, initiative, teamwork, shared commitment and integrity,” says Byrne. The team’s commitment to the community and to the environment, evident through participation in local races, river cleanups, and involvement in Water for People and Engineers Without Borders, sealed the deal for Byrne.

 

“As a student, I was drawn to the camaraderie and corporate responsibility,” she adds.

 

CDM Smith provides integrated solutions in water, environment, transportation, energy, and facilities to a global roster of public and private clients. A full-service engineering and construction firm, its headquarters are in Cambridge, MA, but its 5,000 employees work worldwide.

 

Byrne has been with CDM Smith since she graduated with honors five years ago from the University of Florida with a BS in environmental engineering and a master of engineering, specializing in solid waste management. A CDM Smith fellowship enabled Byrne to complete her master’s degree.

 

Now based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Byrne has held several positions working with the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA). The water authority serves a resident population of 3.8 million people and a tourist population of more than one million, with a “complex water and wastewater system,” she reports.

 

Her responsibilities have included being a training coordinator for the PRASA technology integration program and a pre-construction task manager for the PRASA Capital Improvement Program. Today, she works with the PRASA Technology Integration Program on a web-based application and telemetry feed to monitor the water authority systems and operational practices.

 

Moving to Puerto Rico and becoming fluent in Spanish is high on her list of work challenges, even though prior to the actual move she had an internship in CDM Smith’s San Juan office to practice the language. But even with the personal goal to be bilingual, says Byrne, the process was difficult, particularly in terms of learning the language associated with design and construction of water and wastewater systems.

 

However, some challenges have their rewards, concedes Byrne, since she met her husband while working in Puerto Rico. “I joke that I have North American blood but my heart belongs to Puerto Rico,” she quips.

 

Byrne encourages college students to look beyond the classroom and get involved as volunteers in their communities to meet people and gain experience. She also believes it’s important to “seize opportunities and take risks,” and take electives in school that will enhance skills in the workplace, such as writing and learning about human behavior.

 

Writing skills are particularly important for future engineers, Byrne points out. “I have read many reports by many engineers, and across the board, written communication is typically not a strongpoint.”

 

There are many ways for potential candidates to connect with CDM Smith, says Byrne. The company is active at 16 college campuses to reach students through tech talks, social events, and information sessions.

 

The company also works closely with the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers, as well as other diversity organizations