Her Story
About Sangeeta
Sangeeta Bhattacharjee is a civil engineering leader, educator, and community advocate passionate about creating meaningful impact through engineering, service, and mentorship. As an international student, she built her career in the United States while raising two children and navigating the challenges of balancing family, professional growth, and personal goals. This journey shaped her resilience, strengthened her leadership philosophy, and inspired her commitment to supporting others on their own paths. As the Assistant City Engineer for the City of Hutchinson, Kansas, Sangeeta serves her community by leading engineering initiatives, managing projects, and collaborating with diverse teams to deliver infrastructure solutions that improve quality of life. With more than a decade of experience spanning municipal engineering, consulting, solid waste management, and engineering education, she is committed to advancing the profession and preparing future engineers through her role as an Engineering Instructor with Kaplan North America. Sangeeta believes engineering is ultimately about serving people. Integrity, excellence, curiosity, and compassion guide the way she approaches her work, relationships, and community involvement. She is passionate about mentoring young professionals, encouraging women in STEM, and creating opportunities for others to grow with confidence. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Sangeeta is dedicated to giving back through service. She actively contributes to organizations including ASCE, NSPE, the Wichita Society of Professional Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers. She also serves on the Technical Committee of her community temple, where she contributes her engineering knowledge and time to support community initiatives. For Sangeeta, success is measured not only by professional achievements but by the positive influence she has on others. Through leadership, mentorship, and service, she continues to inspire future engineers and demonstrate that it is possible to build a successful career while remaining grounded in family, community, and lifelong learning.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sangeeta
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to curiosity, resilience, consistency, and a commitment to continuous learning. As an international student, I built my career while balancing family responsibilities, which taught me perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of believing in myself. Being recognized as Young Engineer of the Year and receiving regional ASCE recognition are meaningful milestones, but my greatest achievement is inspiring and mentoring others. I believe that building strong relationships, honoring my commitments, and leading with integrity have been the foundation of my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of career advice I’ve received came from my mentor, Ty Alexander: always stay humble, remain curious, and assume positive intent in others. That advice has shaped how I lead, collaborate, and build relationships throughout my career. A personal principle that has guided me is, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” It reminds me that success comes from preparation, intentionality, and disciplined execution. Together, these lessons have taught me to approach every opportunity with humility, empathy, curiosity, and a clear vision.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering civil engineering and construction is simple: do not be afraid, and believe in yourself. Courage is the first step toward succeeding in a field that has traditionally been male-dominated. Be confident in your abilities, create your own path, and follow your passion. Remember that you are not alone on this journey. Seek mentors, build meaningful connections, and support other women along the way. Mistakes are a natural part of growth-do not let them define you; let them refine you. Every challenge is an opportunity to become stronger, wiser, and more resilient.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is achieving true acceptance and inclusion. While opportunities for women in civil engineering and construction continue to grow, changing mindsets and overcoming traditional biases remain ongoing efforts. At the same time, this is an exciting time to be in the profession. The demand for skilled engineers and project managers continues to grow as communities invest in infrastructure, modernization, and sustainable development. There are tremendous opportunities for professionals who are committed to innovation, leadership, and creating meaningful impact.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the one value I never compromise on. I care deeply about the people around me-my family, my community, and the profession I serve. I believe in excellence in everything I do and strive to always give my best. I am also passionate about continuous learning and personal growth. Developing new skills, staying curious, and becoming a better version of myself guide my decisions and relationships. These values inspire me to serve others, contribute to my community, and make a positive impact wherever I go.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.