Her Story
About Laura
Laura Hernandez serves as a Civil Analyst in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has worked for three years within a total of four years in the engineering field. She earned her engineering degree from the University of St. Thomas following three years at community college and passed the PE exam in April of this year, positioning her to pursue professional licensure after accumulating the required experience. Laura was drawn to civil engineering by her strengths in math and science combined with an interest in design, allowing her to merge creative and technical elements. As an immigrant who moved to the United States with her family during high school, she navigated her path to college independently and credits mentors such as her mother, professors, and co-workers for her success, noting that it takes a village. She aspires to build her own practice and team within her current company while expanding into mentorship to support others from diverse backgrounds entering engineering. Laura emphasizes the importance of teamwork across disciplines on large projects and values fostering learning environments where colleagues support one another's growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Laura
01What do you attribute your success to?
A lot of mentors. Other people in my life have been the inspiration, either my mom, professors, co-workers. It takes a village and I have had amazing people along the way that have been an inspiration.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't doubt yourself. Sometimes we just overthink stuff and we think that we're not cut out for it, just try it, just do it, and don't ask for permission, just do it.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Working with multiple disciplines on big projects, trying to find the best way to work as a team, being efficient, and helping each other grow in our careers. Bringing everyone together.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being able to learn, create a team and create a learning environment and just support each other. In personal life, the people around me and how to be in service.
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