Civil Engineer Allison Andrews
Allison Andrews
Civil Engineer
West Virginia University - Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Civil Engineering
West Virginia University -  MBA
• Work Experience:  10 - 20  years
• Find me on:  LinkedIn

My Story

External Video

Our education collaborators are working on programs to implement the app in STEM classrooms and clubs for kids and teens nationally and around the world to learn about how engineering shapes our every day lives. Kids and teens in these programs will be invited to connect with engineers through the app so they can meet and interact with professionals in their fields of interest. Please contact us to learn more about the program and how you can participate.

Technical and Software Expertise

Program management, disaster response

I am...

I am a project manager for a private consulting firm that supports government clients. I do more project management than engineering these days but my job still allows me insights into engineering-related issues. I enjoy supporting clients and helping them solve problems. I am an instructor for my company’s internal project management training program, however my proudest accomplishment was completing a half marathon.

I chose to be a Civil Engineer because...

I chose to study civil engineering because I thought it would offer me diverse opportunities. Choosing engineering does not mean choosing a single career path, once you have an engineering degree, there are so many different paths to choose from! Engineering opens doors.

I like my job because...

I like my job because it’s interesting work that allows me to engage with people on a daily basis and feel like I’m making a difference in some small way.

My typical day at work involves...

As a civil engineering major, I started my career studying floodplains using hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and models, however as my career has evolved, the focus has shifted from developing the models, to leading teams that help non-technical people understand what the engineering models are saying about flood risk and what that means for them, whether it’s purchasing flood insurance to protect their investment in their homes, or taking more significant structural measures to mitigate their risk of flooding. It’s been very interesting to work with both engineering and risk communication professionals who work together to translate technical concepts into easy-to-understand materials and in ways that motivate people to take action that is in their best interest to stay safe from the risks of flooding.

I want others to know...

I want others to know that more women need to pursue educations and careers related to engineering, even if you don’t think you like math! I hated math until later in high school but thanks to two influential young women math teachers who encouraged me, I pursued an education in civil engineering. You can too!

My experience working in teams

I probably work about 80% of time with teams and 20% independently. There is a lot of teamwork but there’s always things you need to sit down and do on your own, so both skillsets are important. Teamwork and knowing how to work with others to achieve a goal is an essential skill, yet it’s also important to take the time to independently work on things so you learn. Independent thinking is also critical as a leader. While you may be leading teams of people doing the work, you still need to be able to take a step back and think strategically about the best way to approach problems so that you lead people efficiently and effectively in carrying out the work.

Hobbies and interests

Spending time outdoorsSpending time with family and friends

What skills have been most important to your career?

Critical thinking skills – the ability to assess a problem and come up with actionable solutions.  From a software perspective, I would also say having skills related to using Excel has been very important and helpful.

Examples of Projects I've Worked On

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