McCORMICK TAYLOR CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN ENGINEERING DAY

Christine Alizzi, PE | Project Manager, Water Resources

What sparked your interest in engineering?

My dad sparked my interest in engineering. He is an excellent carpenter and watching him design, draw, and build items as a child made me want to have a job where I can create things that solve problems for other people.
 

Do you have any advice for women who are considering studying engineering?

My advice for studying engineering is to never be afraid to ask questions or participate in discussions. As engineers, we are constantly learning and seeking out new information. No one knows everything and by asking questions, you can learn new ideas, tips, and tricks. Engineering is a collaborative field and works best when people communicate effectively.

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Farzana Atique, PE | Transportation Engineer III

What sparked your interest in engineering?

My father is a civil engineer. He has worked for the roads and highway departments in Bangladesh and Malaysia. In my childhood, I visited many of his road and bridge projects, which increased my interest not only in engineering but also specifically in transportation engineering.
 

Do you have any advice for women who are considering studying engineering?

It is a rewarding job when you see the completed work and how it benefits the community. Don’t be afraid to share your opinion because you may have the best solution to a design problem, but no one will know about it unless you share.
 

Have you worked on a particular project that you would say has helped shape the world?

I have worked on several community-based projects through the Transportation Enhancement Program in Delaware. I got involved by doing streetscape projects in Wilmington and rural areas. These projects gave me insight into different communities in cities and rural areas of the U.S.

 

Is there a woman in STEM history you look up to?

Marie Curie.

Catherine Chia-Calabria, PE | Senior Manager,
Structural Engineering

What sparked your interest in engineering?

When I first got to college, I did not intend to study engineering. I wanted to study computer science. After enrolling in computer science, I found that it did not really interest me. I looked through the course catalog for something else to study and came across Introduction to Engineering. I had no idea what engineering was, but I was intrigued by the words and decided to give it a try. It has been a wonderful experience ever since.
 

Do you have any advice for women who are considering studying engineering?  
Never be afraid to try. If you don’t at least give it a try, you could be missing something wonderful. You can always change your mind if you don’t like it. If it doesn’t work for you, find something else. You have to love what you do because you will be doing it for a long time.   
 

Is there a woman in STEM history you look up to? 
I admire all the women who paved the way in a man’s world and who believed in their own abilities such as Marie Curie, Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Sally Ride.  

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Susan Guisinger-Colón, PE, LEED AP | Deputy Director, Transportation Engineering

What sparked your interest in engineering?

My love of science and math in high school. I originally thought I would have a career in environmental engineering working on clean water initiatives. However, my life path ultimately led me to transportation.
 

Do you have any advice for women who are considering studying engineering?

Follow your passion and always continue to learn new things. Ask questions and participate in discussions. Strive to be your best and have confidence in your abilities – people will respect you and listen to what you have to say.
 

Have you worked on a particular project that you would say has helped shape the world?  The projects I work on have helped shape local communities. I would like to think that I have had and continue to have an impact on ensuring the safety of the traveling public through contracts where I have assisted municipalities with the management of their roadways and bridges.

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Jeannette Quirus, PE, PTOE | Director, Traffic Engineering

What sparked your interest in engineering?
My dad being an engineer was really what showed me the career path. It was pretty simple actually – I was good at math and science, so engineering just seemed like the next step. I didn’t think much beyond that. I went into civil engineering specifically because I like how the projects are visible to the public and affect nearly everyone.
 

Do you have any advice for women who are considering studying engineering?
Seek help and advisors early in college. Some of the classes will be difficult, but there are many resources to help you. Don’t wait until you fall behind. Also, be sure to support other women as you advance in college and in your career.
 

Is there a woman in STEM history you look up to?
Sally Ride as the first woman astronaut really inspired me back then. I wrote my college essay on her! She made me believe it’s possible for women to be key players in science and engineering fields. A saying I heard early in my career is, "If you don’t see it, you can’t be it." It helped me to see women in that field and made me see that it was possible for me to do something similar. While I did not follow her to space, I do have a successful career in engineering!

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Jen Okulanis, PE | Project Manager, Transportation Engineering

What sparked your interest in engineering?

I have always enjoyed math and science, so engineering was a natural fit for me. I also love solving problems!

 

Do you have any advice for women who are considering studying engineering?

In a male-dominated field, you will find yourself often being the only woman in the room. Just know that you deserve to be there and don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and ideas.

Amy Sokalski, PE, PTOE, PTP | Senior Manager, Traffic Engineering

Do you have any advice for women who are considering studying engineering?

Don’t underestimate the significance of getting a well-rounded education in addition to improving your technical writing. Report and proposal writing are essential aspects of engineering, and being able to clearly explain your work is an important skill to learn. Taking courses in subjects such as English or history can also provide a different perspective than engineering classes and contribute to your overall personal development.