Innovation?

"Nearly every business's mission statement includes words about "innovation," yet risk-taking and creativity are often punished instead of rewarded." inc.com

Each time I drive over or under a bridge that I have inspected or designed, I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment. I am inspired by the historic structures in and around New York and the attention given to their preservation and protection for future generations to admire and use safely. I am in awe at the new technology and innovative approaches utilized in recent bridge design around the world. A sustainable approach to design, coupled with proactive historic preservation of these many amazing structures that span across a variety of obstacles, allows us to travel the world over.

More Engineering Humor...

One of the better things I've come across today:

The risk/reward calculation for engineers looks something like this:
RISK: Public humiliation and the death of thousands of innocent people.
REWARD: A certificate of appreciation in a handsome plastic frame.

Courtesy of http://www.engineeringhumor.com/Quotes.html

Networking

This month has been a whirlwind of events and networking. I've managed to meet so many talented and interesting professional women. It all started with the 2011 GWIC (Groundbreaking Women in Construction)conference in NYC. I'm now an active member in ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), and will hopefully be working toward establishing a Diversity Committe for the Met section. I've volunteered as a professional mentor with EWB (Engineer's without Borders)...let's hope they accept me! I can also be found on engineergirl.org, a site focused on mentoring middle school girls about engineering. I joined EWGA (Executive Women's Golf Association) at the urging of my mentor and supervisor...and am so glad I did! I also attended the Future Work Institute's "Gender Matters" networking event that taught me indeed, Men are from Mars, and Women are from Venus!

Let's hope I don't run out of steam...

I nominate me!

Despite negative feedback and advice to the contrary, I became an engineer. Known in middle and high school for my artistic ability, many naysayers complained that I should major in the “creative” arts, not engineering. I have a very natural ability in math, and loved chemistry and physics, and was drawn to the field of engineering after writing a 10th grade research paper on cryogenics.

Many financial and personal hurdles later, I completed a BS in Architectural Engineering and an MS in Engineering Management while raising a family. I worked for a moveable bridge expert firm in New York City for just under 7 years, and am currently "parallel tracking," employed with a large engineering and construction firm on Long Island as a Structural Engineer while managing my own design-based Minority-Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), Cragnolin Design Associates (CDA).

My journey continues as I explore networking, sponsorship, and participate in organizations focused on directing and promoting women business owners and operators utilizing innovative business solutions.