Career Path Spotlight: Katie Scancarello
At AECOM, employees are encouraged and supported to pursue career paths that best fit their unique capabilities, interests, and aspirations. Our Career Path Spotlight series takes you through the rewarding career journeys of our employees who have stepped out of their comfort zone and taken on new challenges to chart their own successful careers and growth.
This time, we caught up with Katie Scancarello, a senior geotechnical engineer from our Water business in the U.S. East region, to learn how she chose the path she’s on today.
Hi Katie. What do you do for AECOM?
I am a senior geotechnical engineer in Providence, Rhode Island and have been with AECOM for 14 years.
Tell us about your journey and how you got here.
I initially went to college for computer engineering but transitioned to civil engineering because it gave me the opportunity to work in the field. During my junior year, I did a co-op at NASA Glenn Research Center where I conducted research on lunar soil simulants and performed experiments in reduced gravity – this experience led to my passion for geotechnical engineering.
After getting my bachelor’s degree, I then pursued my master’s in geotechnical engineering while working part-time at URS in Cleveland, Ohio. I transitioned to full time after graduating and worked there for three years. I was integral in major projects for Tennessee Valley Authority and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
During my second year there, I was placed on a major design build project in Cleveland where I learned how to communicate with non-geotechnical disciplines. It was trial by fire under a tight schedule which gave me the opportunity to expand my technical baseline. I was given significant responsibility which enabled my quick growth in design team management.
In a lateral move, I relocated to Rhode Island to discover a new part of the country. I still reported to the Cleveland URS office, which was acquired by AECOM during this time. I helped establish an AECOM geotechnical presence in the Northeast.
I was then promoted to geotechnical engineer. I served as deputy geotechnical lead on the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s largest design build at the time–the Route 6 and Route 10 Interchange Reconstruction project. I supported the geotechnical lead in managing the geotechnical investigation and design for the project.
Currently, I’m a senior geotechnical engineer where I manage the evaluation of underground conditions to provide design recommendations for building and bridge foundations, dams, tunnels, slopes, underground utilities, and retaining walls. Most recently, I was a project geotechnical engineer on the Narragansett Bay Commission Phase IIIA CSO Tunnel (Pawtucket Tunnel) design.
What was a career defining moment for you?
When I was still a junior engineer, my supervisor, who was the geotechnical lead on our large design build project, went on paternity leave. I was put as the point person for the project. When the prime contractor had geotechnical questions, they called me. It was both intimidating and a confidence boost to know that important team members trusted me to make decisions.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Someone once told me that I speak softer when I’m uncertain of the answer I’m giving and that I should speak up to imbue confidence. That advice was hard to hear, but significantly helped me to build confidence in myself.
What advice do you have for women who want to get into tunneling or another traditionally male-dominated industry?
Be yourself and get in there. I heard a lot of negative stories about how men treat women in the construction industry before I joined but I have not experienced the micro and macro aggressions that I was warned against. Don’t listen to the negative messages. Our industry is receptive and supportive of women. Men can be great sponsors/mentors and there are women-focused groups for every field which provide a ton of resources and support.
If not this path, then what would have been your Career plan B?
I would have been an equestrian trainer for hunter/jumpers on a farm in Oregon.
