Q: Describe your position:
A: I have been with Brindley Engineering for 2 years. I’m responsible for preparing and reviewing reports presented to clients, conducting field visits and collecting data for the SRP’s report. I perform routine or entry-level engineering tasks. I help to prepare minor designs and sketches, analyze project plans, maintain equipment, and closely follow specification and procedure.
Q: Why and how did you choose Engineering as a profession?
A: My father introduced me to this career in engineering as a viable option because he recognized certain qualities in me, such as organizing, planning and strategic thinking when approaching a project or task. It should be noted that my father is an architect. I chose this path because it enables me to serve as bridge between cultures, foster communication to both personal and professional growth. I love being a woman in engineering!
“I chose this path because it enables me to serve as bridge between cultures, foster communication, and achieve both personal and professional growth.”
Q: What is the most gratifying thing about being a woman in engineering?
A: I believe the most gratifying aspect of being a woman in engineering is centered around three key elements:
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- Critical thinking
- A sustainable approach
- Effective project management
Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
A: I have now been in the US for 18 years, and I have developed both professionally and personally. It’s incredible. You can achieve many dreams when you are disciplined, organized, and always striving to do things in the best possible way without harming anyone or taking advantage of others. Facing challenges like learning a new language, a new culture, adapting to a different lifestyle, and dealing with issues such as discrimination, rejection, and sometimes loneliness is among the hardest experiences we can face as human beings when deciding to pursue personal and professional growth.
Since I began advancing in my career, I have accomplished incredible things that continue to amaze me. Through sacrifices and hard work, I have achieved very positive results that has helped me to land a career working with other women un engineering in major companies such as Brindley Engineering. This led to the opportunity to purchase my first property, which represents stability, security, and a sense of belonging. It fills me with pride and motivates me to set even higher goals for the future.
There is a very important phrase in my life: “Ask yourself if what you are doing today is bringing you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.“
Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: I want to obtain a PE license, obtain my master’s degree and experience growth in the company.
Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring female engineers?
A:The best advice I will give to aspiring women in engineering is to stay persistent, as perseverance is the key to achieving anything you set your mind to.
Fun Fact about Marla:
A funny and memorable story, and an example worth sharing, is how I learned to whistle. It turned out to be incredibly useful during my university days. I often had to take buses that stopped several blocks from university, and I always seemed to miss the bus for just one block. Missing it meant waiting half an hour for the next one to get home. Determined to solve this, I practiced whistling relentlessly until I mastered it. Not only did it help me, but I also ended up teaching some of my university classmates the same technique so they could learn how to whistle too. I see myself as a resourceful person because I’m eager to learn new things and persist in finding solutions, even if the path is more challenging.
To read more about Women Engineer Careers at Brindley Engineering check out our Women in Engineering Series and meet:
- Madeline Morrow, Process Engineer
- Alesia Truong, Mechanical Department Manager
- Andreina Lopez, Mechanical Engineer and Piping Designer
- Mili Isaza, Mechanical Engineer and Technician
- Cristina Rincon, Mechanical Engineer
- Courteney Fabbri, Process Engineer
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