Allison Sites
Garver
Transportation Project Engineer
DAY AT WORK
My typical day involves a lot of math, coordination, and problem-solving. It’s not always visible work, but it’s rewarding to know it helps communities function and stay connected. There’s nothing quite like seeing a project that has been years in the making come to fruition to serve the community you call home.
BEGINNING INTERESTS
I grew up in a farm family, and agriculture has always been a huge part of my life. When I left for college, I tried several majors. (God bless my parents for their generosity and patience!) Several communications, anthropology, and environmental science classes later, I was still unsure. My family members and teachers always told me I should be an engineer, so I finally decided to look into it. After visiting each of the different engineering departments on campus, the Biological & Agricultural Program felt like home. Fast forward to when I read the job description for my current position – it sounded exactly like all of the things I learned in my favorite classes in college. I applied without hesitation!
CAREER EVOLUTION
As I was nearing my college graduation, I began the process of applying for countless engineering positions. At the time, I was disappointed to not hear back from the places where I applied. However, this opened a door to a great opportunity: a local company was looking to take on a sustainability manager to help them reach their production and operations sustainability goals. Ultimately, this job taught me more than I could have dreamed of, and, looking back, I’m grateful for that experience. However, after some time, I was ready to pursue a career in the field that I had originally worked so hard to be a part of. I was so proud to accept an offer and begin my career at Garver in January of 2020! Since then, I have learned and experienced more than I could have hoped for, and I look forward to continuing to do so.
LOVE THE WORK
What I love most about my job is the people I work with. Workplace culture is so important, and enjoying where you spend the majority of your time each day is priceless. I am grateful to have met some of the most special people in my life through Garver.
SURPRISING BUT TRUE
Not every day is spent sitting behind a computer! Depending on your position, there is opportunity to have face-to-face interactions with clients, visit project sites, and attend STEAM-related community activities on behalf of your organization.
ADVICE
It is not about the grades you make or the titles you attain – it is about what you experience along the way. Not everyone can be the best student, the most valuable intern, or the smartest engineer. What is important is that you do the best you can do, you treat others with kindness and respect, and you allow yourself to be proud of all that you have achieved.
