Women in Construction: Julie Meyer
As a part of Women in Construction (WIC) week, March 3-9, 2019, we are highlighting the contributions of local women in the industry. The following interview is with Julie Meyer, Construction Area Engineer at ODOT.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love that there is always a unique challenge every day. Makes the day go by so quickly. I also love seeing the final constructed product at the end of a project. I feel very proud of our accomplishments at the end of a job.
When did you realize you wanted to work in the construction industry?
I had an internship working with ODOT while I was in college at Cleveland State. I was assigned to their Construction Department and placed on a large, multi-year interstate widening project. I was outside every day on the job, inspecting and watching the work being performed. I learned so much being in the field, observing the project being built from the ground up. I enjoyed the daily interactions with the project engineers and contractors. I was able to work on that job from start to finish, over three years. After that internship, I knew I needed to be in the construction industry.
What is your favorite project you have worked on?
The Opportunity Corridor in the city of Cleveland. This is one of our unique opportunities to build something new for a community that has been forgotten and neglected for so long. This project will better connect the area to transit and future development. The future development will create jobs for the community. To date, I have enjoyed connecting with the community through the project’s outreach efforts. It is fulfilling being a part of the community service projects and youth education efforts. I am excited to see the job through to the end.
Favorite quote (or advice) for women?
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” — Estée Lauder.
What was the best vacation you ever took and why?
In 2012, I took my Dad back to the Czech Republic where he was born. He had not been back there since leaving in 1969. I got an opportunity to visit family there that I had never meet before.