EMILY BOZARTH
PROJECT ENGINEER
FROM: Battle Ground, Washington
THEN: Bachelors in Construction Management with a minor in Industrial Management – May 2018
NOW: SM Wilson – St. Louis, Missouri
GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT & CAREER PATH:
“Currently, I am a Project Engineer at SM Wilson, and I am working on a $35 million Hospital Expansion at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. We will be adding 2 floors onto the existing Patient Tower as well as fitting out the 4th floor. At the end of the project, the 4-Floor Patient Tower will be a 6 Floor Patient Tower with an additional 60 patient rooms. It will be a challenging project, but I’m excited for construction to get underway! I love healthcare construction. I find it extremely difficult with everything that goes into building a hospital and the continuous technological advancements, but it is a gratifying experience. Knowing that you helped construct a building that will save lives is the best feeling. I was a Project Engineer Intern for the past 2 years for SM Wilson. I’ve only been in the industry as an “official” PE for 4 months. I haven’t had my most significant professional accomplishment yet, but I am thrilled to be with a company that has faith in me to work on this project as a new engineer. I am so happy that I turned my internships into a career at SM Wilson!”
HOW MSU EQUIPPED EMILY FOR HER CAREER:
“The TCM program at MSU is the best! What makes it so wonderful is the hands-on experience students encounter, the networking opportunities with industry professionals, and the engaged faculty members. The faculty truly care about each student. I felt important and respected, and that gave me the confidence I needed to pursue my career in construction. Being a female in a male-dominated industry takes a lot of confidence, determination, and passion for your work, and I am so grateful I graduated from a program that gave me that.”
ADVICE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES:
“Get an internship as early as you can! Not only will you gain invaluable experience, but internships are also the best time and place to figure out what you like and don’t like in the industry. Internships are the best way to navigate what route/career path you want to take.”
Lessons Learned:
“Get involved as much as you can while in school. It made my experience at MSU even better. I was able to meet my best friends through the program, and it put me on the map with employers. I was not only involved but held leadership positions with clubs in the program. You have the rest of your life to work in the industry, but you only have so much time at Missouri State to make the most of it!”