Career Area: Water/wastewater engineering consulting
Degree earned at CU Boulder and year: B.S. Environmental Engineering, 2016
Title and name of the company you currently work for: Process/Project Engineer at Carollo Engineers, Inc.
A little about my career path: I switched into environmental engineering halfway through my sophomore year at CU, after starting in political science and environmental studies. I did not want to be an engineer when I started college, but I became eager to be more “hands-on” in a career dedicated to tackling environmental justice, sustainability, and the complex interdependency of environmental health and public health. When I discovered Environmental Engineering, I realized it was the perfect match for my interests and goals; and I managed to finish my degree on track, within 4-years, even with the extra credits from starting in Arts and Sciences. Through networking, I got my first internship the summer before my senior year, working at a water utility operated by SUEZ in Nyack, New York. That same networking relationship ended up getting me a referral for a position at Carollo Engineers, and after a long 6-months of interviews and waiting (it ALWAYS takes time) – I got the job! I started with Carollo in Phoenix, Arizona, working with our Private Sector Group (PSG), which focuses on clients and unique projects related to semiconductor manufacturing, food and beverage production, general industrial sites/processes, mining, oil and gas, power, and Native American communities. I continued working with PSG, but relocated to San Diego, California and spent 3 years working on a variety of municipal projects around southern California (both drinking water and wastewater). I am now in Boise, Idaho, working with our team of engineers who specialize in reverse osmosis (RO) filtration, designing Carollo’s first desalination RO facility in the Florida Keys.
In my “spare time,” I lead Carollo’s Young Professionals Community of Practice company-wide and am heavily involved with our STEM education outreach program, Carollo Cares.
Long story short – the secret to my career has been putting myself out there to initiate and build relationships, then saying “yes” to the opportunities that have come from those relationships. It’s the most fulfilling, most distinguishing, and most motivating thing you can do for yourself and your career – build that network!
List of topics students can ask me about:
- What does a career in engineering consulting look like?
- Process and project engineering
- Working with municipal vs. private sector clients
- Reverse osmosis/desalination
- Chemical systems
- Pump stations
- Odor control
- Networking/mentorship as a student or young professional
- Resume reviews/advice
- FE/PE exams
- AWWA/WEF