Firm takes responsibility of supporting next generation of engineers

Raleigh - The employees of Mulkey Engineers & Consultants, a full-service civil engineering and consulting firm, are reaching out to middle school, high school and college students to encourage them to explore the field of civil engineering and support them along their career paths. Engineers at the firm’s five southeast offices are active participants in programs that include mentoring and job shadowing with the overall goal of nurturing and supporting future generations of civil engineers.

Many of the firm’s engineers are serving as mentors to girls considering engineering careers through a new Web site, www.engineergirl.org. The Web site is part of a project by the National Association of Engineers to bring national attention to the opportunity that the profession represents to people at any age, particularly women and girls. Mulkey’s Chairman of the board Barbara Mulkey, PE, FASCE; Lisa Robert, PE, director of Florida operations; Britt Hennessey, PE, project manager; and Colista Freeman, senior planner, all serve as online mentors through www.engineergirl.org.

“Our engineers work to solve problems and make the world a better, cleaner and safer place, while at the same time they are actively involved in their communities, raising families and enjoying sports and hobbies,” said Jill Wells Heath, president and CEO of Mulkey. “It is important to let all students, not only girls, know the opportunities available to them in civil engineering. This is our way of supporting our profession to make certain there is a strong workforce in the future.”

Mulkey employees attend high school career fairs and recently invited eighth graders at Martin Middle School in Raleigh to experience a day in the life of an engineer. The engineers showed students a set of plans and taught them how to offset an alignment using MicroStation, computer aided design software. They also had the opportunity to see construction plans of several projects, including a residential subdivision.

Mulkey is currently arranging job shadowing days for NC State University civil engineering students. They will attend client meetings with project managers and experience hands-on training that will allow them to see the challenges and opportunities available in civil engineering.

“We want to attract energetic, creative people who have strong communication and problem-solving abilities. We believe that students with these qualities should consider a career in engineering,” Heath added. “The personal fulfillment and opportunities are endless.”

About Mulkey Engineers & Consultants

Celebrating its 15-year anniversary in 2008, Mulkey Engineers & Consultants is a full-service civil engineering and consulting firm helping clients transform everyday challenges into everyday achievements. The firm employs 200-plus people with offices in Raleigh, Cary and Charlotte, N.C.; Columbia, S.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; and Jacksonville, Fla. Services include land development, building structures, surveying, subsurface utility engineering, special inspections, environmental services, transportation and construction services. The firm serves both public and private clients including municipalities, state departments of transportation, colleges and universities, local and national architects and developers, commercial entities and community organizations. To learn more, visit www.mulkeyinc.com.