6 — October 2024 — Women in Business — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
W omen in B usiness
From intern to engineer, shaping six years of ingenuity and mentorship Mika Awai blazes a trail at AKF, empowering the next generation
ell us how and when you began your ca- reer in the profession you are in: I attended Drexel University for Architectural Engineering and was introduced to the over- all building systems relatively early in my college career. Drexel is unique in that they incorporate work experience into the curriculum, so I got my first internship designing mechanical building systems at an MEP firm in 2018. I was lucky enough to find this field and take interest in this industry, so I set out to find other internships that had a T
go through the same process I did while I was in school, and I want to be able to provide insight into what this industry has to offer to better prepare them for their career choices. Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? I chose my profession not only because I find it interesting, but because it adapts to changes as the world advances. This industry allows me to experi- ence a wide range of projects in various locations, and with that provides a balance of tech- nical challenges and creative freedom to design and problem
solve. Most importantly, the type of work I do has a lasting impact on the world, where multiple generations will be able to see or use the build- ings that I have helped come to fruition. How do you manage the work/life balance? One thing I have learned is the importance of work/life balance. Times have changed, technology has advanced, and many workplaces have adopted the hybrid work schedule. While there are many benefits to this, I’ll be the first to admit that working from home can blur the line between what is work and what is home. I’ve learned the importance of when to take a break and step away from work, as it provides the small refresh needed to complete a task. In addition to balancing my work from home environment, I am learning to take time for myself and pri- oritizing what I call “me time”, which includes relaxing, enjoy- ing hobbies, exercise, etc. I am still working to find the ideal work/life balance, and although it is challenging, I believe that finding and keeping this bal - ance is essential to having a successful life. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career? While it may sound cliché, I owe a lot of thanks to my parents. They have had a huge impact on my career, and I am very fortunate to have them as influences and support. And while they may not know this, they have taught me many things that have helped guide me through my career by teach- ing me to be confident, inde - pendent, and self-sufficient. They have always helped me recognize my strengths and weaknesses, pushed me to build on my strengths and work on my weaknesses, and one im- portant thing I often forget is knowing that it’s okay to make mistakes. As someone who regularly strives for perfection it is easy to forget that success doesn’t happen overnight, and yes, I am frequently reminded that I need to be patient. My parents never let me forget the importance of respect, hard work, confidence, and again patience, and as much as I don’t want to admit it, they are right. What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? continued on page 42
Mika Awai Mechanical Engineer AKF, Member of WSP Years with company/firm: 5 Years in field: 6 focus on mechanical building systems. In 2019 I applied to be an intern here at AKF and have been here ever since. What is your current position? I currently work as a me- chanical engineer. This po-
sition includes an array of tasks from equipment sizing and selections to building sys- tem design and integration. I also help train and teach the mechanical interns from Drexel University, which is important to me because they
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