My journey to civil engineering has been shaped by reflection and an evolving sense of collective responsibility. While an undergraduate at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), I took time off to address my mental health and learn how to live with fibromyalgia. These personal changes and my shifting academic interests set me on a college path that was anything but linear. I switched majors from psychology to sociology to pharmacy to physics. Despite accumulating many credits, I still struggled to find a way to channel my deep commitment to helping others into a sustainable career.

Before declaring my civil engineering major and beginning my career, I spent six years working as a retail pharmacy technician while managing a full academic course load. The turning point came not in a classroom, but during my daily commute through West Garfield Park and North Lawndale. As I traveled to work, I became increasingly aware of the signs of decaying infrastructure and the visible impacts of deliberate disinvestment. One day, I realized that the pharmacy where I worked was once the Chicago headquarters of the Black Panther Party, led by Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton. That piece of history, combined with the lived realities of the neighborhood, sparked a profound shift in my perspective. I could no longer ignore the structural inequities around me. I began to question whether dispensing medication in a profit-driven healthcare system was truly helping people. It became clear to me that I didn’t just want to care for individuals—I wanted to rebuild the systems that had failed them. I wanted to address the root causes, not just the symptoms.

That realization set me on the path to a career in civil engineering.

  A Pivotal Conversation

Shortly after, I attended a UIC career fair and spoke with Jigar Gohel, EIT, CMIT, LEED GA, who was representing Cotter Consulting. I told him I had recently become interested in sustainability, and we launched into a passionate discussion about community-led design in Chicago. He accepted my resume for consideration for a summer internship with Cotter. Although I left the conversation energized, self-doubt soon crept in. I was an unconventional candidate: no internships, no industry contacts, no polished story. I hadn’t followed a traditional academic timeline.

Then I received an email to meet with Allison Hermanek, Cotter’s HR Director. We discussed my years in customer service and the challenge of balancing full-time work with school. For the first time, I felt heard by someone, and Allison helped me to view my experiences not as limitations, but as proof of my resilience. Allison also told me about Borut Vujic, PE, Cotter’s VP of Transportation, and his Engineers Without Borders project on water access in Honduras. His people-first approach to engineering resonated deeply with me, and I knew that he was the kind of person I wanted to work with and learn from.

A few days later, Todd Faulstich called to tell me I’d been selected for the internship. I had been visualizing this opportunity—telling my family and friends—and suddenly, it was real. My first conversation with Borut was unforgettable. We spoke about what had drawn each of us to this field, and he affirmed my conviction that engineering could—and should—be rooted in empathy.

Even before joining Cotter, I had been researching the Chicago Department of Water Management’s Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) program, so when I was assigned to the project for the duration of my internship, it felt like a perfect fit. I was paired with a diverse team of resident engineers who quickly became mentors. That summer, we walked through South Side neighborhoods—Auburn Gresham, East Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards—each with its own story of resilience and systemic neglect. These weren’t just technical site visits; they were deep, lived encounters with the structural realities of the city. During my time at CDWM’s Kingsbury office, our conversations often expanded beyond engineering to include history, identity, and systems. Those discussions reminded me that infrastructure is never neutral—it reflects the policy, power, and priorities of those involved.

“Ash showed rapid growth as she began her journey as an intern.  She accepted whatever tasks were given to her with enthusiasm.  After her summer internship ended, she successfully managed to balance her full college workload while continuing part-time on our Program.  I was excited when she accepted a full time position after graduating and look forward to her developing into an excellent engineer and leader for Cotter.”

– Todd Faulstich

Finding Balance

In the fall, I transitioned to part-time status while continuing my full academic course load. Cotter supported me and made it financially possible to stay in school and finish strong, especially as I prepared to enter my Senior Capstone course.

My Senior Capstone team pitched a bold idea: a skatepark that merged community design with sustainable green infrastructure. We wanted to reimagine the role of engineers in shaping “third spaces”—public environments where people can gather safely and feel a sense of belonging.

Research led us to the RAGE Smart Skatepark, a project initiated by Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Chicago. That brought us to Brown Memorial Park in Chatham, the proposed site. With EWB’s guidance, we designed what we hope will be Illinois’ first green skatepark, integrating stormwater planters, permeable pavement, detention basins, and a rain garden. Our project combined recreation and sustainability in a historically underserved area.

2025 ASCE Western Great Lakes Student Symposium. 

Alongside Cotter engineer Loai Obaidat, EIT, we conducted a drone survey and secured soil borings. Our survey impressed the project’s stakeholders, who helped us navigate conversations with the Chicago Park District, the Brown Memorial Park Advisory Council, and IIT.

While leading our Capstone project, my team also took charge of UIC’s ASCE Concrete Canoe team. We rebuilt everything from the ground up—hull, mold, and concrete mix—approaching each challenge with determination and creativity. Juggling this competition alongside coursework, senior design, advocacy, campus leadership, and part-time work demanded discipline, but it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my undergraduate career. During the final weeks before graduation, we saw the fruits of our labor. Our Concrete Canoe team won first place for Technical Presentation, second for Proposal, third for Final Product, and ultimately secured second place overall at the ASCE Western Great Lakes Regional Conference. Our skatepark design also received the top honor in Civil Engineering, winning “Best in Show.”

   
2025 ASCE Western Great Lakes Student Symposium. 

Back at work during on-site construction shadowing, I watched union laborers working in the dead of winter—coordinated, efficient, and committed to working together as a team. Their dedication to a collective effort became a model for how I supported younger students on my team, encouraging first-year students to take ownership, develop technical skills, and step into leadership roles. Student organizations are more than just extracurricular activities—they can be powerful spaces for technical development and lasting community. In my last semester as an undergraduate, I formed bonds that I’ll carry with me always.

“Ash has demonstrated to be a very dedicated person and has quickly become a key team member in our group. During her internship we were all surprised by her hard work and assigned her main responsibilities during surveying activities. We were all rooting for her during her final exams and are very happy she decided to stay with the program permanently. She continues to show her dedication by showing up to work early every day and is now our lead asbuilt reviewer. We are fortunate to have her and expect great things in the future”

– Thomas Warnock, PCWP

Gaining My Footing

Beyond engineering, I remained committed to activism and narrative work. I participated in social and environmental justice movements, co-founded a student network on campus, and began writing for UIC Radio. Writing has always helped me process my experiences and connect with others. Through stories on mental health, DIY culture, and radical imagination, I found a new voice.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering belief and mentorship of Borut, Jordan, Todd, and my mentors at the Kingsbury Office. They didn’t just see me as a student—they saw me as an emerging engineer.

“I am thrilled that we’re able to welcome Ash as a full-time member of our Transportation Group. Her journey with us as an intern has already shown us her incredible potential.  Her hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication have made a great impact not just at work, but also in the community through involvement with professional organizations and volunteering.  We are all so proud of her achievements and I can’t wait to see how she will continue to grow and contribute in her new role.”

– Borut Vujic, PE

Now, as a full-time engineer with Cotter, I reflect with deep gratitude. This past year has been the most transformative of my life. Interning with Cotter didn’t just develop my technical abilities—it gave me confidence, community, and clarity of purpose.

I know now that I belong in this field—not despite my unconventional path, but because of it. And I’m just getting started.