I grew up in Cypress, Texas as a young Houston Astros fan. In reflection of my career, I deemed that to be the beginning. Sitting in those stadium seats with the surrounding smell of hot dogs and popcorn, I looked up and all around to see this masterly-crafted arena and wondered how a structure so massive could safely and securely withstand so much inside of it. That curiosity about how things stand, how they’re built and most importantly, why they work has never really left me.
I pursued civil engineering, leaning into my natural abilities in math and science, and convinced that I wanted to become a structural engineer. When it came time for college, I ended up at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. It was about as far away from home as I could get while still paying in-state tuition.
The summer after high school I landed an internship at an engineering firm, working in their survey department. That summer, I was exposed to various surveying responsibilities such as staking utilities across open land. By the next summer, I returned to the same sites that now had built-out projects where there had been only fields. That experience opened my eyes to the full lifecycle of a project and to what can happen in just one year.
Throughout college, I pushed myself through some tough classes, but Advanced Structural Analysis absolutely humbled me. I questioned whether structures was the path for me, and I shifted my focus to water resources. At the time, it felt like a pivot born out of discouragement, but now I see it as what opened doors I didn’t even consider unlocking.
After graduating, I moved back to Houston and joined a firm where I spent eight years working on district services projects, primarily focused on rehab work with a little bit of site development mixed in. It was steady work, and I grew into a comfortable routine. I was gaining experience and responsibility as a project manager, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t in the space that excited me most.
I received a turning piece of advice during that time that has stuck with me ever since. A senior engineer said to me, “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” It is not a bad feeling, but rather a natural one. It is the feeling of growth. And growth will always be uncomfortable, but it is the only path forward. It doesn’t happen in the safe, predictable routine. It happens when you lean into the unknown, and I have since then worked to push myself into those situations.
That mindset ultimately led to my career shift in 2021 when I joined EHRA Engineering. Making the transition wasn’t easy. I left behind a secure role, took a step back in title and entered the world of land development, which was totally new to me. It was a leap of faith, but I believed in taking one step back to move two steps forward. To this day, I stand by that decision.
Land development opened my eyes to new levels of engineering and has pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. One of the biggest shifts was learning to work with people more, particularly clients. Through this field’s exposure, I’ve learned how important that client interaction is—not just to the success of the project, but to personal growth, and I believe it has made me a better person.
As a project manager, I like to think of myself as a quarterback of the team, keeping all the moving parts together, from surveying and planning to design and client communication. The collaboration, the problem-solving and the client relationships—it all comes together and creates a job that is both challenging and deeply rewarding. Outside the office, you can usually find me on the golf course. My scores don’t necessarily reflect my passion for the game, but I stand by that I can hold my own. I remain an Astros fan to this day and will forever admire the structures that first sparked my interest in engineering. They are proof that even though I didn’t ultimately pursue structural engineering, my passion laid the foundation for the career I have built.
Although after minor setbacks, my career was at times left feeling uncertain, the twists and turns I accepted gave me a broader perspective and a deeper appreciation for where I’ve landed. Discomfort, I’ve realized, isn’t a setback—it’s the clearest sign you’re moving forward.
