This Engineers Week we are sharing the stories of our engineers who challenge the traditional mold, who faced obstacles, and who are inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers.
Today, meet Hunter Withers, a civil engineer based in our Columbia, Maryland office. Hunter knew she wanted to be an engineer from an early age but doing so meant overcoming learning disabilities and finding the right tools to be successful. Her life motto is “everyone and everything has value.” She says it’s important to focus on what you uniquely bring to the table, because feeling valued and like you belong is so critical.
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I wanted to be an engineer from a young age. I had an older cousin who was a civil engineer working on bridges, which I thought was really cool. Her first project out of college was working on the Beltway near DC, which inspired me to want to pursue engineering as well.
Q: What was your path to becoming an engineer?
A: I was involved in a lot of STEM camps and activities as a kid which gave me exposure to engineering and technology careers. I was on an all-female high school robotics team and served as team captain my senior year, which allowed me to understand more of what engineers actually do day-to-day. In college, I started as a mechanical engineering major before switching to general engineering with a mechanical minor. My interest shifted more towards transportation focused civil engineering in graduate school, which put me on the path to where I am today.
Q: Did you have any challenges to overcome?
A: I struggled with reading comprehension and was diagnosed with dyslexia around third grade. It took a lot of hard work over several years to get caught up with reading. I was also diagnosed with ADHD later on in high school, which explained some of my challenges, especially with college courses. Using tools like a smartpad to record lectures helped me succeed. The transition after undergrad was also tough navigating the job search before finding my footing.
Q: What motivates you?
A: I’m motivated by continuing to build a life worth living, both personally and professionally. One of my biggest motivations is avoiding boredom and maintaining an enjoyable, fulfilling life. I’m thankful to be at a point where I like what I do every day, enjoy spending time with friends and family, and feel continuously engaged by my work.
Q: Why do you think engineering is for everyone?
A: Engineering is creative problem-solving that can make a difference. There are always more problems that need solutions, whether small or big. I think anyone can be an engineer if they are passionate about fixing an issue. The work we do is very learnable if you have some guidance. Much of engineering is using software tools, not complex hand calculations. Being exposed to what engineers actually do through job shadowing opportunities can help more people see engineering as a possibility for them.
Whether it’s providing clean water, building a road, generating green energy, or designing a building, engineers create a better world for all of us! Their job is to tackle big challenges with big solutions, and they do their best work when they can see problems from every point of view.
That’s why we believe engineering is for everyone, and we’re thankful for professionals like Hunter who forge their own path in the industry!
