Diamond M. Woodson
Diamond M. Woodson is a dedicated Construction Management and Architectural Technologies student, currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Northern Kentucky University. She began her journey in engineering and construction during high school at a vocational school, studying manufacturing engineering as a machinist. Inspired by childhood projects with her older brother, including building a treehouse and creating functional spaces in video games like The Sims, Diamond developed a lifelong passion for designing and constructing functional, impactful spaces. She later pursued civil engineering at community college, and after becoming a parent, she transitioned to construction management to balance her family responsibilities with her professional growth.
Diamond has gained extensive hands-on experience through multiple internships and co-op positions, including her role as an Estimating Co-op at Danis Construction and as a Building/Infrastructure Co-op at Planning and Development Services of Kenton County. She has developed strong technical skills in Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Revit, and precision machining, and holds certifications in CPR & First Aid as well as an OSHA 30-Hour Card. In addition to her technical expertise, Diamond has cultivated leadership, communication, and project management skills through workshops, mentoring, and community-building initiatives, such as her role as a TEDx Dayton Youth Mentor and as a Autodesk Design & Make Ambassador.
Looking ahead, Diamond is set to begin her career as a Specification Writer Apprentice at Elysian, where she will collaborate with architects and construction teams to ensure proper installation and product specification on diverse projects. Passionate about the Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, she is committed to fostering inclusive, safe, and innovative project environments. Diamond’s long-term goal is to become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and contribute to transformative construction projects nationwide, building on more than a decade of experience and a deep-seated dedication to the field.
• Google Ads for Beginners
• Government ePlan review For Reviewers
• Building Inclusive Companies: Building Inclusion (Part 3)
• Developing an Inclusive Team: Part 2 of Building Inclusion
• Building Inclusion: Foundations of an Inclusive Culture
• Introduction to Owners
• Data into the Future: Data in Construction (Part 5)
• Data on the Jobsite: Data in Construction (Part 4)
• Procore Certified: Student
• Data in Construction (Part 3): Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
• Data in Construction (Part 2): Collecting and Analyzing Data
• Data in Construction (Part 1): Introduction to Data
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction
• Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
• Sinclair Community College - AS
• Miss Black Ohio U.S. Ambassador 2019
• Scholar - Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation
• High School Leadership Program
• Lincoln Grant Scholar
• Ted Talk
• National Society of High School
• Society of Women Engineering
• SkillsUSA
• The STEM Lab
• TEDxDayton
• American Red Cross
• Society of Women Engineers
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the mentors who have guided me throughout my life and career. In high school, Kristen from the Society of Women Engineers and my Precision Machining teacher, Mr. Halcomb, inspired me to pursue engineering. In college, mentors like Carol, the dean of physics, helped me connect learning with real-life challenges.
Today, I’m grateful for mentors like Brianna and Elijah, who provide guidance, accountability, and support as I navigate professional and personal growth. They’ve helped me tackle challenges I might have avoided alone, including career negotiations and balancing responsibilities as a parenting student.
Mentorship has shown me that guidance, encouragement, and perspective can make all the difference, helping me grow with confidence both personally and professionally.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to not be afraid to ask for help and to confidently negotiate for your worth. This advice has been reinforced by the mentors who have guided me, helping me navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and advocate for myself in both professional and personal growth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering engineering, construction, or architecture is to go for it and follow your passion. Seek out mentors, attend conferences, and ask professionals for informational interviews to learn about their roles. Don’t be afraid to ask for help—most people are eager to share advice, and it’s a great way to build your network and grow your career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is the gender-related negativity that women can face in engineering and construction environments. At the same time, there are significant opportunities, including growing leadership roles for women and the increasing use of construction data, machine learning, and AI to improve project delivery and decision-making.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are community, inclusion, safety, compassion, and gratitude. These principles shape how I interact with others, make decisions, and approach challenges every day.
Locations
Autodesk
Covington, KY 41011