Alisha Hartley
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grew up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/ volunteering
I grew up in Georgia and then went to Georgia Tech earning a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. I was introduced to engineering through my Dad. My Dad always encouraged me to consider and pursue a career within engineering. He took time to explain about what he did as a Structural engineer and arrange chances for me to meet with other engineers in his office including women engineers. I have always loved engineering and the creativity that can be a part of it. I love translating designs and calculations to pieces of the physical world. Construction and building has always fascinated me. At the end of college I obtained my EIT (Engineer-in-training) certification as well as my 30-hour OSHA safety certification. In college I got the opportunity to co-op (work every other semester) with a geotechnical firm designing retaining walls. After college I got a job with a larger civil engineering firm working in Land Development for four years. During that time I earned my LEED AP BD+C accreditation and my PE (Professional Engineer) license. Recently I have started a new adventure as a Loss Prevention Consultant Engineer for a global property insurance firm.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
As a Loss Prevention Consultant, I am visiting different properties reviewing them for any potential exposures (fire and natural-flood, wind, etc.) and risks that might be found specifically at that site. While reviewing the site I provide recommendations as steps that a site can take to minimize and protect their property. I am there to provide a benefit to my clients through conversations and reports.
Previously as a Land Development engineer, my day to day consisted of consulting with clients, reviewing jurisdictional requirements, running design calculations, and drafting plans. Frequently I would visit sites to consult with contractors as they implemented the designs. Occasionally I got to present design options to clients and the public for comment.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
STEM is vital to my job. My current company is constantly performing research to provide better guidance to our clients. This includes setting up experiments and calculating how small variables can make a huge difference. My hydraulics classes really helped create a solid base to perform analysis on piping systems.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
As a young woman engineer in male dominated industries I have encountered many times where people did not respect or believe that I knew what I was doing. The best response to doubters I have found is to be respectful but display that you know your stuff. Don't be afraid to let them know you will get back to their questions if you aren't certain. Confirming your thoughts is not a weakness! Believe in yourself and push yourself!
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
Best part = seeing something new and different everyday and the chance to truly help my clients; Worst part = writing reports? ;) It really isn't that bad and I wouldn't change it for anything.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
The best way to balance work and personal life is to set clear boundaries; stick to them and make sure your co-workers understand them.
7. What do you define success as?
Success for me is leaving a client better than when I arrived.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
a desire to learn
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
My Dad has been a huge mentor to me and a constant encouragement when I doubted myself. I also have two women civil engineers that took the time to listen, encourage, and push me to expand my boundaries. They showed me not to be discouraged when I was doubted it.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
Don't be discouraged and go for it.
I grew up in Georgia and then went to Georgia Tech earning a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. I was introduced to engineering through my Dad. My Dad always encouraged me to consider and pursue a career within engineering. He took time to explain about what he did as a Structural engineer and arrange chances for me to meet with other engineers in his office including women engineers. I have always loved engineering and the creativity that can be a part of it. I love translating designs and calculations to pieces of the physical world. Construction and building has always fascinated me. At the end of college I obtained my EIT (Engineer-in-training) certification as well as my 30-hour OSHA safety certification. In college I got the opportunity to co-op (work every other semester) with a geotechnical firm designing retaining walls. After college I got a job with a larger civil engineering firm working in Land Development for four years. During that time I earned my LEED AP BD+C accreditation and my PE (Professional Engineer) license. Recently I have started a new adventure as a Loss Prevention Consultant Engineer for a global property insurance firm.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
As a Loss Prevention Consultant, I am visiting different properties reviewing them for any potential exposures (fire and natural-flood, wind, etc.) and risks that might be found specifically at that site. While reviewing the site I provide recommendations as steps that a site can take to minimize and protect their property. I am there to provide a benefit to my clients through conversations and reports.
Previously as a Land Development engineer, my day to day consisted of consulting with clients, reviewing jurisdictional requirements, running design calculations, and drafting plans. Frequently I would visit sites to consult with contractors as they implemented the designs. Occasionally I got to present design options to clients and the public for comment.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
STEM is vital to my job. My current company is constantly performing research to provide better guidance to our clients. This includes setting up experiments and calculating how small variables can make a huge difference. My hydraulics classes really helped create a solid base to perform analysis on piping systems.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
As a young woman engineer in male dominated industries I have encountered many times where people did not respect or believe that I knew what I was doing. The best response to doubters I have found is to be respectful but display that you know your stuff. Don't be afraid to let them know you will get back to their questions if you aren't certain. Confirming your thoughts is not a weakness! Believe in yourself and push yourself!
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
Best part = seeing something new and different everyday and the chance to truly help my clients; Worst part = writing reports? ;) It really isn't that bad and I wouldn't change it for anything.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
The best way to balance work and personal life is to set clear boundaries; stick to them and make sure your co-workers understand them.
7. What do you define success as?
Success for me is leaving a client better than when I arrived.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
a desire to learn
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
My Dad has been a huge mentor to me and a constant encouragement when I doubted myself. I also have two women civil engineers that took the time to listen, encourage, and push me to expand my boundaries. They showed me not to be discouraged when I was doubted it.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
Don't be discouraged and go for it.