Meet Alexa Diven!
Today, we’re excited to introduce the incredible Alexa Diven—a civil engineer who has turned her childhood fascination with construction into a thriving career. From learning how to operate heavy equipment alongside her dad to mastering AutoCAD and project management, Alexa’s journey is a testament to persistence, passion, and breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. She’s here to share her story, the challenges she’s overcome, and her advice for young women in civil engineering. Let’s dive in!
Quick facts:
She's a Civil Engineer working for Michael Baker International
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Location: Michael Baker International
What inspired her to join this field?
“Growing up, I watched my dad work in the gas industry as an operator and now a supervisor. I learned how to use a backhoe and other equipment at a young age. I watched my dad work hard and see things get fixed, built, etc. In high school, I had a CAD class where we designed houses from exterior to interior, learning different roofs, building layouts, and interior design. I loved the creativity I could show in this class. I decided at this point I wanted to go into something with construction, and after a bunch of research, I decided on civil engineering! I felt like I could go many different ways with this field, and that’s, in fact, what I graduated and did!”
What challenges have she faced, and how she you overcome them?
“Of course, being a young female in the industry, many times in my internships, I felt as if I wasn’t getting the same learning experiences as the young men in the field. I worked hard to keep voicing what I wanted to learn and what I wanted to experience in my internships. I was able to see all sides of civil engineering, from working in the field as an inspector on various projects, such as bridges and ADA ramps, to road and land developments. I also got to experience project management and estimating!
Girls, don’t feel discouraged or let people make you feel less than in this field. YOU ARE IMPORTANT AND CAN BE JUST AS GOOD OR BETTER THAN THE MEN IN THIS INDUSTRY!”
What’s something she is proud of in her career?
“I am very proud to have worked with four companies in my college years and was able to get my dream job with a great company! I am doing what I love every day, which consists of tons of AutoCAD, and I couldn’t be happier! I am also still speaking up about projects I’d like to work on, and so far, I have worked on so many various projects. It is such a cool process to say I got to be involved in.”
What does being a Girl in Civil mean to her?
“Being a girl in civil means that we are the future. Civil engineering is a very key component of our future world in itself, and the more women that come into this industry, the better it is 100% better to be in this industry. Although we still are in a male-dominated field, the woman empowerment, encouragement, and work ethic I’ve experienced in my time is unmatched, and all I can say is I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else or do anything else working with women!”
What advice she give to others entering the field or those needing encouragement to stay?
“Find your niche! What is a hobby or your favorite thing in this field that doesn’t feel like a job?
Also, don’t be afraid to speak your mind or explain how YOU ARE RIGHT. Many times, some other colleagues, male or female, can feel like they're always right bc they’ve been there longer than you. This will always happen, but being confident with your work, knowing it’s correct, and speaking up for that is necessary! The number of times I’ve done this and have reviewed great feedback or apologies for not recognizing my work or just brushing it off fast is a great feeling.
If you’re confident, communicate well, know what you enjoy, and work hard to improve every day, you will succeed in anything you do!”
“In high school, I was terrified to join the construction carpenter class. I ended up never doing it because there was not one female in the class. I regret that I never went for my dreams or the things I was interested in because I was a female. Don’t regret not choosing what you want to do, don’t let other people’s opinions affect your dream!!!”
