What did you study and where??

I studied civil and environmental engineering at UC Davis and environmental engineering at UNC Chapel Hill for grad school. My focus areas were water quality and water supply, looking at how we use and manage our water resources and ways we can improve water management.

That first year I really didn't like any of my classes, it was all theoretical. But then toward the end of my freshman year, I walked into a meeting for an organization called Engineers Without Borders. Because of that first meeting, I realized that this is the sense of purpose I was missing in my classes. With EWB, I can apply what I'm learning in all my coursework to benefit people who could really use that expertise.

Why did you choose to join Arup?

For one, I felt a strong alignment with Arup’s vision, values, and mission. I’m a very purpose-driven person. If I believe something is good and will do good, then I'll put my all into it. Arup’s culture celebrates this spirit.

I had an informational conversation with one of my now colleagues before I joined where I realized I didn’t really know anything about water within buildings. Joining our plumbing team has been an opportunity for me to learn a lot — I’ve been given a fire hose that I can drink from. Even though this can be uncomfortable, I love it because it gives me the chance to learn so many things that I can leverage throughout the rest of my career.

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Since I've stepped into the role, I've learned a lot in a very short amount of time. I’m seeing the work that we're doing come to life and seeing how much this company cares about giving back to our communities. ”

What were some of your main takeaways from Grad Induction, our annual workshop for new graduate-level employees?

First, I think these are vital moments where we come together contribute to our company’s interconnected culture. Coming out of Grad Induction I now have connections across Arup. Then when you end up working on a project across offices, you’ll come across people you already know. That’s the kind of connection that can help a company feel a lot smaller than it is, in the best way.

Second, we participated in several design exercises and charrettes intended to teach us as new graduates how to be professional consultants in this industry. While they were stressful at the time, they ended up being incredibly valuable as I’ve since been a part of several charrettes with our clients.

Third, Arup Fellow Erin McConahey spoke to us about Arup’s role in the context of the industry and the built environment at large. Having that broader perspective in mind has helped me in my project work as I'm doing a lot of the detail work at this stage in my career.

What has been your most enjoyable project so far?

I recently became the Community Engagement lead for our San Francisco and Oakland offices. My role there is to support several initiatives that take Arup's skills, as well as three percent of our profit, and direct that toward the community.

Since I've stepped into the role, I've learned a lot in a very short amount of time. I’m seeing the work that we're doing come to life and seeing how much this company cares about giving back to our communities.

Recently, our team looked at the two key priorities for the community engagement team globally: homelessness and social mobility. We’re making big strides and exciting connections to help alleviate those issues locally.

You’re also part of our San Francisco office’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion committee. What excites you most about the office’s work around EDI looking forward?

At my very first all-staff meeting in San Francisco, they were recruiting team members for the EDI committee and invited anyone who wanted to get involved. So I said yes.

There's an ideal state we’re striving toward where policies are equitable, where communities are diverse, and in the process of both of those things existing, people also feel included, feel like their opinion matters, their work matters. EDI is looking at the whole picture and saying, “where can we pull levers to move us in that direction?” And that is incredibly exciting.