Growing up in Houston, Texas, I didn’t have a background in construction, but my grandfather, who spent his career in the concrete pipe precast business, inspired me to pursue this path. When it was time to choose a college, I was drawn to Texas State University for its location in the beautiful hill country. The CIM program stood out for its comprehensive approach to industry education.

Internships were a vital part of my CIM experience. My first internship with Master Builders Solutions was hands-on, focusing on admixture dispenser systems installed at ready mixed concrete plants. The next summer, I shifted gears with the Air Force Research Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, gaining insight into material innovation and science. My final internship was with Kent Companies, where I transitioned to structural concrete construction and continued working part-time throughout my senior year. This cumulative field experience prepared me to hit the ground running as I joined Kent Companies fulltime as a project engineer after graduation.