Want to figure out your dream STEM career? Hearing from women engineers in different fields is a great way to start! This post highlights civil engineering, spotlighting an amazing woman who’s making a real impact around the world.
Let’s dive into Courtney Kelly‘s story. She’s a civil engineer, entrepreneur, and Society of Women Engineers (SWE) member in Dallas, Texas, who’s going to walk us through her unique journey leading up to her current role.
What motivated you to pursue a career in STEM?
I was a sophomore in high school when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. While evacuating, I became curious about what measures could be created to prevent the anticipated and subsequent impact of the storm.
During the summers after that, my parents enrolled me in STEM camps at various colleges and universities across the country. These camps allowed me to learn about the differences between engineering disciplines. Civil engineering stuck out as the one that could provide a solution to what New Orleans experienced.
What higher education institution did you attend, and what degree did you earn?
I graduated from Southern Methodist University (SMU) with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and a Bachelor of Science in math. I went on to pursue a Master of Science in civil engineering with a concentration in structures. I also attended Lamar University and graduated with a Master of Business Administration.
How did you choose the college, university, or trade/technical school that you attended?
I decided to attend SMU after reviewing the profiles of schools contained within a book of America’s 100 most competitive colleges and universities. For me, SMU was the best combination of educational offerings with a smaller class size — all on a vibrant campus.
What are your top three responsibilities in your current career?
As project director for H.J. Russell and Company, I oversee commercial construction projects to ensure they run smoothly, lead pre-construction efforts, and cultivate new business relationships to secure clients.
What’s another passion of yours outside of STEM?
My passions, separate but related to STEM, are that I am an author and an Etsy business owner. I’ve self-published two children’s books, Celeste Saves the City and Celeste Tunnels Underground. These books encourage representation of minorities and women within the engineering and construction fields.
As for my business, my Etsy shop sells treats for rabbits!
What is one piece of advice you can give to a pre-college student who is looking to pursue this field of engineering?
While your coursework will be difficult at times, press on and press through. The work of civil engineers is so important for the ability of a society to thrive, and we need more people entering the profession now than ever.
Interested in learning more about civil engineering? Take a look at our STEM Pathways Digital Library with fun activities and resources or find more All Together blogs like Courtney’s here.
