7
OPINION
From blueprints to job sites
Saying yes to new opportunities led one engineer from design to construction – and to a more fulfilling career path.
I f you had asked me when I was growing up – or even as I entered college – what my career would be, I would never have guessed I’d end up in engineering, let alone construction management. My path began in design engineering where I focused on the technical intricacies of water and wastewater infrastructure. Over the past few years, simply saying “yes” and staying open to new opportunities led me to the job site where I discovered a fast-paced, hands-on environment that sparked something new in me. What started as curiosity eventually evolved into a defining career shift – one that changed how I approach problem-solving, leadership, and long-term impacts.
Michelie Little
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN. My engineering career began with a design internship in the water and wastewater field while I was still completing my graduate degree. The moment I stepped into an office, everything changed for me. What I learned in the classroom is vastly different from the real-world experience that involves tangible impacts. During those early years, I built a strong foundation in technical design, using AutoCAD and Civil 3D to prepare construction blueprints for various water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This broadened my perspective and deepened
my understanding on how to read drawings and specifications – two contract documents that play a critical role even before construction begins on-site. My learning continued as I was introduced to more complex water treatment projects from the design side where I began to understand the necessary calculations before starting drawing markups for the future blueprints. Overall, gaining design experience proved essential before I transitioned into construction management.
See MICHELIE LITTLE, page 8
THE ZWEIG LETTER JULY 14, 2025, ISSUE 1593
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker