People Spotlight: Meet Jessika Schoplick
Our People Spotlight series gives you an inside look at our technical experts around the world. This week, we are highlighting a program manager from our Buildings + Places business in Germany and providing an insight into their inspiration and work.
Jessika Schoplick is a program manager in our Business Development team for National Governments in Europe, leading proposal efforts to win major framework contracts and expand our service offerings for U.S. Federal clients in Europe. She holds a master’s degree in Geography and has managed projects and programs for U.S. Department of Defense clients in Europe for 24 years. Jessika has a wealth of experience in environmental planning and architecture and engineering projects throughout Europe and is committed to maintaining and continuously improving client satisfaction.
Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.
With a background in geography and environmental sciences, I chose to pursue a broader, holistic approach in my career, focusing on understanding the bigger picture and integrating multiple disciplines rather than limiting myself to deep technical specialization. After completing my master’s thesis and postgraduate research on fire ecology and forest regeneration at the Arctic tree line in Canada, I started my early career as a project manager for natural resources-related planning at military sites in Germany.
Through these projects, I was inspired by both my colleagues and clients, who showed me that successful project completion depends on a true partnership with the client, where everyone works together toward a shared goal.
As I gained a deeper understanding of client needs and requirements, my role evolved into one where I now mentor staff to understand and comply with these client requirements, spanning the full range of services AECOM delivers to the U.S. Federal government in Europe. What still inspires me every day is the ability to leverage AECOM’s vast global resources to find a solution for almost any specialty question that’s out there.
Through these projects, I was inspired by both my colleagues and clients, who showed me that successful project completion depends on a true partnership with the client, where everyone works together toward a shared goal.”
What is your favorite AECOM project that you’ve worked on and why?
One of my favorite projects involves leading the proposal for a master planning contract in Europe. The contract involved planning and design work at military installations in Germany, Iceland, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy. Collaborating closely with our U.S.-based planning team, we combined local knowledge and global experience to win our first large Europe-based master planning contract for the U.S. Army in Europe. This success demonstrated the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing within AECOM.
Another memorable project that I managed was a survey for the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research facilities in Kenya. Despite the straightforward scope, the project presented numerous challenges, including locating and accessing remote facilities, coordinating travel and understanding local requirements. By collaborating with our architects and engineers local to the region who performed the on-site surveys and infrastructure assessments and a U.S.-based digital solutions team who developed custom-made software, we successfully delivered a project that was not exactly in our backyard. At the same time, working with our global colleagues resulted in a great relationship for future opportunities.
Collaborating closely with our U.S.-based planning team, we combined local knowledge and global experience to win our first large Europe-based master planning contract for the U.S. Army in Europe. This success demonstrated the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing within AECOM.”
Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.
I have a deep sense of pride, knowing that our work directly strengthens the security and stability of the countries we serve. Our projects positively impact local communities by improving infrastructure, enhancing the quality of life for service personnel stationed or rotating through Europe and ensuring compliance with environmental standards. I’m proud to contribute to winning critical projects such as designing military Army family housing, dining facilities, headquarters, training facilities and upgrading rail and airfields. These efforts bolster national security during times of political unrest, natural disasters, climate change and economic challenges.
Our projects positively impact local communities by improving infrastructure, enhancing the quality of life for service personnel stationed or rotating through Europe and ensuring compliance with environmental standards.”
Share a piece of career advice.
My primary piece of advice is that sharing knowledge with colleagues, collaborating and listening to the client is more valuable than hoarding knowledge to feel irreplaceable. Collaboration and open communication propel you and your team further than working in isolation ever could.