An interest in engineering sparked the day our school advisor came into my fifth-grade class to talk about all the different paths we could take when we entered middle school. When I expressed interest in engineering, he hesitantly hinted that the engineering route was not one particularly chosen—which then only made me want it more. From that day on, I was hooked. The only question was, which type of engineer would I become?
Fast forward to today: I am an Undergraduate Engineer at EHRA Engineering working full-time while pursuing my Mechanical Engineering Technology degree at the University of Houston. Some days it feels like a balancing act between work and school, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Deadlines at work can be just as intense, if not more, than the ones I face at school, but I make sure to stay ahead of my work, sometimes working 12 hours a day, so that I am not thrown off by any last-minute challenges. It has been a true learning curve, but one that’s helped me grow as both an engineer and as a person.
My Journey with EHRA
My journey with EHRA began through a high-school program called Genesis Works. I was a junior in high school when a speaker came to my aerospace engineering class and mentioned the opportunity for internships. Naturally intrigued, I applied and earned myself a spot in the internship. After completing a three-month summer training program where I learned professionalism and CAD skills, I was placed at EHRA as their first-ever intern from that specific program.
That internship changed everything for me. On the last day, I walked into the office and simply asked, “Do you want to hire me?” To their credit and mine, they said yes! It was one of those moments in life where everything aligned, and as simple as it sounds, it felt meant to be.
I have seen myself grow substantially in the six years I have put into EHRA. I have grown from an intern to now an undergraduate engineer. As an undergraduate engineer, I design, grade, model, create plan sets and storm calculations. Roughly 75% of the work I perform is in CAD, and the remaining 25% is working on calcs and coordinating with agencies to ensure that we get exactly what we need. Having a title made just for me, and simply having the word “engineer” in my title means the world to me. It represents the trust and belief they have in me, and that is something I will never take for granted.
My Work: Projects that Matter
I’m currently working on a 275-acre Forestar master-planned community called August Trails, which has been a particularly rewarding experience for me. This is the first project I have been able to work on from the very beginning, and I was fortunate enough to do the entire one-line for the project. From PCEs to creating the plan set and grading the entire development, watching this project come to life has been intense, and I’ve enjoyed every moment.
I’m also particularly proud of the work I have contributed to on Brookewater, specifically modeling the stormwater detention phase one. Subdivision projects are extremely fulfilling as you get to watch them come to life piece by piece—there’s something about the depth and complexity of these projects that excites me. From CAD work to labeling and creating profiles, I’ve learned how to put together plan sets like the back of my hand. I simply start and cannot stop until it’s perfect.
My Mentor and Support
I am a first-generation college student. My parents have sacrificed so much to get me where I am today, and I give my all to make them proud. I am also incredibly grateful for my support system at EHRA—they have truly become like a second family to me. They root for me, encourage me and push me to be the best version of myself.
One of the biggest influences in my career has been my leader, Camaaron Jackson. I consider him not only my boss but my mentor. He has taught me more than I could ever put into words and is a leader who truly cares about my growth. He sits with me to analyze my skills and what I have mastered and what I have yet to learn. He takes me to meetings, even when I don’t fully understand the content being discussed, and afterward, pulls me aside to explain and answer all my questions.
He makes sure I understand the why behind things, and he’s not afraid to throw me in the deep end. Because of his faith in me, I have learned to have faith in myself. Whether it was learning how to model or taking the lead on a project, Cam has always pushed me to grow, and I’m forever grateful for that.
Looking ahead, my goals are very clear: I want to graduate with my degree, gain my Professional Engineering license and, in many ways, follow in the footsteps of Cam. I see myself leading projects and mentoring the next generation of engineers just as Cam has done for me. If I have any advice to give other young aspiring engineers, it is to always be sure to take good notes and ALWAYS ask questions. You don’t know what you don’t know, and even if you think you know something, there may be a better way.
This journey has been filled with challenges, but every step has been worth it. I’m excited for what the future holds, and I know that with the support of my family, my team, and the entire EHRA family, I’m well on my way to achieving my dreams.
