As a project manager and engineer, my job is to balance all the different aspects of construction projects. That includes managing the budget, project timeline, engineers, designers, and users to ensure they all work together.
The job of an engineer is to solve problems. An analytical mind helps with that job. An analytical mind approaches a problem step-by-step in a methodical way to create solutions.
How do I lead a team of people with different backgrounds to design and build a visitor center which meets the needs of the Forest Service, serves the public, is functional and beautiful, yet stays within budget?
I use the computer a lot! On the computer, I use computer aided design (CAD) software to draw plans for projects. I also use spreadsheet software to keep track of budgets and project timelines, word processing software to write instructions on how to build things, and the Internet to help me research and learn about anything I do not know.
I always get excited when I learn how something works, especially if it is something that I take for granted.
Since I was a young girl, I have enjoyed taking things apart to see how they work. The problem was always trying to put those things back together! In college, I learned that engineers are problem-solvers and get paid to figure things out. That was when I knew I wanted to be an engineer.
