This time, we caught up with Katie Scancarello, a senior geotechnical engineer from our Water business in the U.S. East region, to learn how she chose the path she’s on today.

Hi Katie. What do you do for ArchTam?

I am a senior geotechnical engineer in Providence, Rhode Island and have been with ArchTam for 14 years.

Tell us about your journey and how you got here.

I initially went to college for computer engineering but transitioned to civil engineering because it gave me the opportunity to work in the field. During my junior year, I did a co-op at NASA Glenn Research Center where I conducted research on lunar soil simulants and performed experiments in reduced gravity – this experience led to my passion for geotechnical engineering.

After getting my bachelor’s degree, I then pursued my master’s in geotechnical engineering while working part-time at URS in Cleveland, Ohio. I transitioned to full time after graduating and worked there for three years. I was integral in major projects for Tennessee Valley Authority and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

During my second year there, I was placed on a major design build project in Cleveland where I learned how to communicate with non-geotechnical disciplines. It was trial by fire under a tight schedule which gave me the opportunity to expand my technical baseline. I was given significant responsibility which enabled my quick growth in design team management.

In a lateral move, I relocated to Rhode Island to discover a new part of the country. I still reported to the Cleveland URS office, which was acquired by ArchTam during this time. I helped establish an ArchTam geotechnical presence in the Northeast.

I was then promoted to geotechnical engineer. I served as deputy geotechnical lead on the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s largest design build at the time–the Route 6 and Route 10 Interchange Reconstruction project. I supported the geotechnical lead in managing the geotechnical investigation and design for the project.

Currently, I’m a senior geotechnical engineer where I manage the evaluation of underground conditions to provide design recommendations for building and bridge foundations, dams, tunnels, slopes, underground utilities, and retaining walls. Most recently, I was a project geotechnical engineer on the Narragansett Bay Commission Phase IIIA CSO Tunnel (Pawtucket Tunnel) design.

What was a career defining moment for you?

When I was still a junior engineer, my supervisor, who was the geotechnical lead on our large design build project, went on paternity leave. I was put as the point person for the project. When the prime contractor had geotechnical questions, they called me. It was both intimidating and a confidence boost to know that important team members trusted me to make decisions.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Someone once told me that I speak softer when I’m uncertain of the answer I’m giving and that I should speak up to imbue confidence. That advice was hard to hear, but significantly helped me to build confidence in myself.

What advice do you have for women who want to get into tunneling or another traditionally male-dominated industry?

Be yourself and get in there. I heard a lot of negative stories about how men treat women in the construction industry before I joined but I have not experienced the micro and macro aggressions that I was warned against. Don’t listen to the negative messages. Our industry is receptive and supportive of women. Men can be great sponsors/mentors and there are women-focused groups for every field which provide a ton of resources and support.

If not this path, then what would have been your Career plan B?

I would have been an equestrian trainer for hunter/jumpers on a farm in Oregon.

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The way we work has changed a lot over that time, but that feeling of pride that comes from delivering the right technical solution for our clients has remained a constant — it never gets old, and it powers our culture of TechEx.

I often hear that people join ArchTam for the opportunity to address some of the world’s biggest infrastructure challenges, and they stay because those opportunities keep coming — not just the projects to work on, but the chance to develop new technical skills, to work alongside the industry’s best technical experts, and to build careers that make a real impact on the communities we serve.  

Our industry is rapidly-evolving, and continuous learning is critical to our ability to deliver excellence today, and every day.

ArchTam’s Global Technical Academies are ‘built by us, for us,’ leveraging the skills of our own experts to provide structured technical training courses that build knowledge and networks, extend skills, and grow careers.

Thousands of our team members around the world are participating to power their own professional and technical development, and help sharpen our competitive edge. During a site visit to the multi-award winning Tseung Kwan O Lam Tin Tunnel in Hong Kong — a project we helped deliver — I saw first-hand the transformational impact we can make when passion, pride and industry-leading technical expertise combine.

We asked some of our Global Technical Academy alumni to share how they are applying the skills gained through participation to further advance their careers.

Renee McKay – Graduate Sustainable & Resilience Consultant (Wellington, New Zealand)

“The Sustainable Legacies Technical Academy courses helped me bridge the gap between university and work. Particularly helpful for me were the courses on the assessment of climate change risks, adaptation pathways, and reporting frameworks. These have prepared me for the emerging task in our New Zealand team of helping businesses and organizations (particularly in the energy sector) assess their climate risk and become more aware of their possible weaknesses to climate change as well as in the transition to a zero-carbon economy.”

Yuelin Liang – Associate Director, ITS (Edinburgh, Scotland)

“Program Controls is one of the most challenging topics in Global Program Management, so I participated in the 12 lessons of Global Program Management Academy training. It was a transformative experience that provided a comprehensive perspective on managing projects on a global and large scale. Each training module was designed to meet the needs of participants across all levels of expertise, catering to both novices and seasoned professionals like myself to foster continuous growth and development. Overall, the GPM Program Controls training has been a pivotal milestone in my professional development, propelling me towards greater success and fulfilment in the dynamic realm of project management.”

Mira Bourova – GIS Manager (Chicago, United States)

“In the Summer of 2023, I participated in the Sustainable Legacies: Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation, and Transportation Innovations courses. As a GIS Manager with ArchTam for more than 5 years — and with a 20-year career in GIS — I was looking for a better understanding of the projects ArchTam is involved in when the discussion comes to addressing sustainability and innovations in transportation. As a result of participating in these Academy courses, I was able to develop a deeper understanding of the processes, procedures, and expectations in our company, allowing me to better support my Florida Transportation team and my new Chicago team. I think these are valuable courses to take.”

Tamer El Bagoury – Principal Engineer, Mechanical (Qatar)

“Participating in the Water Academy has been a game-changer for me, even though I don’t have a background in water engineering. The courses provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and best practices involved in designing and constructing pumping stations, insights into hydraulic systems, water management, and the latest technologies used in the field. I have successfully applied my newfound skills to design a stormwater pumping station, and I was able to approach the project with confidence and deliver exceptional results. This knowledge has greatly broadened my professional outlook and allowed me to contribute to projects in ways I hadn’t previously envisioned.”

Monica Waits – Rail Deputy Department Manager (Philadelphia, United States)

“Completing the Transit Rail Network course within our Transportation Academy has broadened my outlook on ArchTam’s technical capabilities, and expanded my professional network. The Academy modules were conducted in a way that allowed me to balance my professional development with my design work, and I appreciated having the opportunity to exchange knowledge — and build relationships — with a diverse group of participants from around the world. I can now apply the lessons I’ve learned to the projects I am designing.”

Kamalen Diaz – Civil Engineering (Austin, United States)

“As a young engineer with just over a year of experience, the Transportation Academy’s Transportation Innovations course was transformative for me, providing an overview of transportation innovations, implementation, and operations and alternative delivery contracting approaches, all of which broadened my understanding of the transportation industry and ArchTam’s role within it. I have applied my newly-developed skills on projects already — providing technical support for the implementation of a state DOT Cooperative and Automated Transportation (CAT) Program. This opportunity allowed me to apply the innovative concepts learned and collaborate with fellow course participants and experts. The academy promotes both professional and personal growth, and I highly recommend it to young professionals looking to grow within ArchTam and the transportation industry as a whole.”

Mackenzie Hirt – Federal Air Force PFAS Program Manager (Austin, United States)

“Participating in the Environment & Energy Academy provided accelerated learning and global networking opportunities. Personally, completing the PFAS course provided me a sense of place and better understanding of how our PFAS remediation practice fits into the larger pursuit of protecting human health and its alignment with ArchTam’s purpose of ‘delivering a better world’. Through this course, I was exposed to PFAS experts across our enterprise. I was able to immediately apply what I learned to a design-build groundwater pump-and-treat project limiting the offsite transport of PFAS at a Department of Defense facility. It’s always exciting to learn how others at ArchTam are solving our clients’ problems. I’m thankful to be a part of an organization that prioritizes learning and invests in cross-geography collaboration through programs like our Global Technical Academies.”

Explore career opportunities to work with us and to learn how you could help us further build our TechEx Factor.

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