I’ve always been fascinated by infrastructure. Growing up in Houston, I was captivated by the scale of the city – the skyline, the buildings and the systems that keep everything moving. I didn’t know it at the time, but those early impressions would eventually shape my career.
Growing up, I was surrounded by a strong community, supportive teachers and a family that encouraged me to pursue a profession that would challenge me while giving back to others. As I explored different career paths, engineering stood out as the right fit. The question was which discipline to pursue. I considered several fields, including electrical, biomedical and mechanical engineering, before ultimately choosing civil engineering. What drew me in was its direct connection to people. Civil engineering is about creating and maintaining the infrastructure that communities rely on every day. Our work is tangible-you can see the impact it has on safety, mobility and the quality of life.
That sense of purpose eventually led me to structural engineering.
Like many engineers, I discovered that the transition from school to practice is larger than most people expect. In the classroom, problems are structured and the path to a solution is often clear. Real-world engineering requires collaboration, communication and the ability to navigate uncertainty.
One of the experiences that helped prepare me for that reality is my involvement with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). A professor encouraged me to join our University’s Steel Bridge Competition team as we worked to revive the program after years of inactivity. What began as a technical challenge quickly became one of the most influential experiences of my education.
The competition pushed me beyond textbooks and into problem-solving that felt much closer to professional practice. I leaned on classmates, professors and industry professionals for guidance, learning not only how to analyze and design structures, but also how to ask questions and work as part of a team. Along the way, I built relationships that expanded my understanding of the profession and opened doors to future opportunities.
That experience sparked a level of involvement with ASCE that continues today. As a student, I served in leadership roles and participated in outreach efforts designed to connect students with the engineering community. As a professional, I remain actively involved, helping organize events and initiatives that support both engineers and future engineers.
Community involvement has always been important to me. Outside of work, I serve on my neighborhood board, attend public meetings and stay engaged in conversations about infrastructure projects across Houston. As someone who regularly uses public transportation and enjoys exploring the city, I appreciate the opportunity to experience infrastructure from both perspectives – as a resident and as an engineer. Those experiences reinforce an important lesson: engineering is ultimately about people. Every project affects a community, and understanding those impacts is just as important as understanding the technical requirements.
Today, I continue to grow as an engineer through graduate studies, professional development and preparation for the Professional Engineer exam (PE). The more experience I gain, the more confident I become that I chose the right profession. Looking back, it’s fitting that the city first inspired my interest in infrastructure is now the city I help serve. Whether through engineering projects, professional organizations or community outreach, I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the place that has given me so much.
For me, structural engineering is about more than designing buildings and structures. It’s about helping create a stronger, safer and more connected community-and there’s no better place to do that than Houston.
