Juliana Santos Beauchamp’s love for construction began when she joined the 2017 ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition team at 最靠谱的网赌软件. “That was the very first time I laid hands on a power tool,”她说。. “I had so much fun building the concrete canoe that I realized I wanted to have a hands-on career in construction.”
Today, Beauchamp, a senior project engineer for Dragados美国海事处, man年龄s a crew of four other engineers at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel expansion project.
It's an ideal match for Beauchamp, who hails from Sao Paulo, Brazil. “Growing up, I was always very active in sports. I loved being part of a sports team, being outside, and being around people,”她说。. “我有一个大家庭, I have always been very close to my aunts and uncles, and the 30-plus cousins I have.”
After high school, ODU offered her a full swimming scholarship. It was the university’s location, however, that cemented the deal. “I realized ODU is strategically located in a hub area with the military and ports driving the market in the area,”她说。. “夏天的时候我就知道了, being an international student-athlete, that I would be limited to work and internship opportunities due to my immigration visa restrictions. Living in an economically developed area was key for getting my foot in the door in my early professional years.”
At ODU, she immersed herself in school and classes. 除了游泳, Beauchamp was active in Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Society, Tau Beta Pi and the ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition.
She graduated in 2017 with her bachelor’s in civil and environmental engineering and a minor in engineering man年龄ment.
Beauchamp worked at several construction firms, picking up valuable skills and titles along the way. “I have worked as an estimator, claims legal support engineer, 现场工程师, and most recently superintendent,”她说。.
Beauchamp uses those skills every day.
She oversees assignments that utilize heavy equipment like underwater hydraulic jack strut assembly, underwater hydraulic jack strut installation, underwater excavation and driving of steel pipe pile.
She also man年龄s the department's budget and schedule, tracking expenses and meeting deadlines. Beauchamp’s people skills are also utilized. As liaison for her department, she provides updates to leadership and man年龄s relationships with her team, 设计工程师, large suppliers and subcontractors.
Beauchamp enjoys all aspects of her job. “I love having a dynamic day in which one minute I’m meeting with lawyers and on the other I’m pouring concrete,”她说。. 但最重要的是, I have the opportunity to interact with people with all sorts of backgrounds, from laborers to project executives and company directors, from fastening suppliers to the owner.”
As a woman in a male-dominated industry – just over 9% of construction engineers are female – she faces another layer of challenges. But Beauchamp is optimistic about the workplace. “I believe there are still unconscious biases in the industry, so once female success in a majority-male dominated environment occurs, it is very much highlighted and applauded,”她说。. “I believe companies have now realized that diversity in the workplace is a good thing, regardless of how it is presented (gender, 年龄, 种族, 等.).”
Outside of work, Beauchamp continues her active lifestyle. “I like to be outdoors and exercise, 所以我喜欢徒步旅行, 户外跑步, 沿着海滩散步, 旅行, 在加斯顿湖游泳,”她说。. “Golf has also become a favorite sport lately. I like to cook and have people over at home for a game night.”
The use of power tools still plays a big part in her life. “Renovating our homes and turning them from being outdated is also something my husband and I like to do on the weekends,”她说。.
Beauchamp sees a great future in Hampton Roads. “I love Hampton Roads and Virginia Beach and I would love to see our community thrive,”她说。. “I plan on continuing to support the economic development of our region.”