For years, I believed my role in engineering had already been defined for me.
At work, I was often known as “the GIS girl” — the person focused on mapping, data and technical support while others handled the traditional engineering responsibilities. Over time, even my job titles reflected that uncertainty. Throughout my career, I held roles including Civil Technician, GIS Technician and eventually Design Technician, never fully certain where I fit within the industry or what direction I wanted to pursue.
The truth is, I nearly left engineering before I ever truly began.
If a decade ago you had told me that one day I would attempt — let alone, pass — the PE exam, I would have laughed in your face.
During my last year of college, I was ready to quit engineering altogether. I had taken a GIS class that I completely fell in love with, while my internship in hydrology and hydraulics only confirmed what I already suspected: traditional engineering was not the right path for me, but GIS might be. I loved the creativity and problem-solving involved in turning complex information into something visual and meaningful.
By then, I was too close to graduation to walk away, so I convinced myself to finish what I started. I completed my civil engineering degree, but for years tried to find a way out of it and entered the workforce without much of a long-term plan.
During annual reviews, managers would ask about my professional goals, and my answers were usually vague. “Pass the FE exam” eventually became “attempt the FE exam,” because that felt more realistic at the time.
For several years, I remained in engineering primarily because I enjoyed the people I worked with and appreciated the support of strong managers and teammates. Outside of engineering, I explored opportunities in technology and emerging industries, and for a while I considered pursuing an entirely different path.
Then circumstances changed.
After leaving my company and relocating to Tennessee, I found myself without a clear roadmap for what came next. That transition forced me to reflect honestly on where my life was heading and what I truly wanted from my career.
Around that same time, I began focusing more intentionally on gratitude, discipline, faith and my relationship with God. Those practices gave me clarity that I had been missing for years. Instead of drifting from one opportunity to the next, I started thinking seriously about commitment, discipline and long-term growth.
My husband encouraged me to return to engineering, even though I resisted the idea hard. At the same time, one of my longtime friends consistently shared videos and articles related to water engineering and infrastructure. Gradually, I realized I missed the technical challenges and sense of purpose the field provided.
What held me back most was confidence.
By then, nearly a decade had passed since college. I did not have my EIT certification, and I assumed too much time had passed for me to successfully return and advance in the profession. Still, God placed people in my life who gave me opportunities and believed in my potential before I fully believed in it myself.
When I joined EHRA, I made a commitment to approach engineering differently than I had in the past. If I was going to return, I wanted to fully invest in becoming the engineer I had once doubted I could be.
Preparing for the FE exam was difficult. I had to relearn foundational concepts I had not used since college. My first attempt ended in failure, which was discouraging but also clarifying.
For the first time, failing did not make me walk away.
On my second attempt, I passed.
That momentum eventually led me toward the PE exam — something I once considered completely out of reach. When I sat for the exam, I still was not certain I would pass, but this time I approached the challenge differently. I focused less on fear and more on preparation, discipline, consistency and trusting God with the outcome.
A week later, I opened my results and saw that I had passed.
Looking back, I realize this journey was never solely about engineering exams or professional credentials. It was about rebuilding confidence, developing discipline, strengthening my faith and finally committing to a direction instead of drifting through uncertainty.
For years, I believed I was the GIS girl without a plan.
I now realize that title never defined the limits of what or who I was capable of becoming. Turns out there was always a bigger plan for me after all.
