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I currently work as an Environmental Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. My work experiences include environmental and civil engineering, program and project management, and hydrology and hydraulics. I use my technical training in a variety of ways! It is not always high-tech, tedious calculations and traditional design work; in fact my current position is more managerial in nature. However, the technical and problem solving skills and analytical thinking methodology I developed from my formal engineering training have provided many opportunities for me. In addition, I have always been able to find work while moving around geographically to accommodate my husband's career moves. I graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and in May 2002 completed a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Southern Methodist University. Even though my Father was a Civil Engineer, I really didn't think about becoming an engineer until it was time to enroll for classes at O.U. I looked at the courses and thought I can do this, and I did! I always enjoyed my science classes and learning how and why things work. It wasn't always easy. Back in the 1970's, it wasn't unusual for me to be the only woman in the class. I was able to survive by working hard and studying, seeking support from family and friends, and always remembering the words of wisdom my father told me "you can do anything you set your mind to". During college breaks I worked as a Civil Engineering technician
for the Corps of Engineers. This opportunity was not only a good
source of funds for school expenses but also provided valuable engineering
work experience that also resulted employment offers later in my
career. One lesson I learned from this is the importance of giving
your best effort at every job no matter how insignificant the task
may seem, since it can lead to better things in the future. My first
job after graduating from the University of Oklahoma was with Southwestern
Bell Telephone Company as an outside plant engineer. Designing telephone
cable facilities is not something they teach you in school so I
had to quickly learn on the job. The technical skills and concepts
I was taught in college really made the difference and helped me
to succeed. My engineering jobs have always involved both office
and fieldwork. I've been in telephone cable manholes and central
offices, stilling basins of dams (wading in the water with the fish),
numerous construction projects and military base facilities, and
waste high weeds looking for survey markers. Most of my work now
is accomplished using a personal computer so the value of computer
skills as well as a good technical background cannot be undervalued.
The need to continue learning and growing professionally is also
very important. The key thing is to like what you do, enjoy every
minute of it, and then it won't seem like work.
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