CIM Student Profile

Claudia Martinez

School: California State University, Chico

Class: Sophomore

Hometown: Michoacán, Mexico

Expected Date of Graduation: 2018

“As a woman, I feel privileged to be in a major where women are a minority. We may be a minority, but I am proud to say that so far I have been treated with the same respect a man in the industry receives.”

What school are you currently attending and when is your intended graduation date?
I am currently attending California State University Chico. This fall is my first semester as a sophomore, and I am expected to graduate May of 2018.

Where are you from originally?
I was born in Michoacán, Mexico, but moved to the United States at the age of five. I was raised in a small agricultural town in northern California named Live Oak. Located about an hour north
of Sacramento, Live Oak is a small town, rich in diverse cultures.

Why did you choose this university and the CIM program?
I chose Chico State because it’s known to have one of the best nursing programs in California. I began as a pre-nursing major, and within a semester I figured it was not meant to be. I later chose to pursue a major that was different. I wanted something different — different enough where I could make a difference. I first heard about the program through my educational opportunity advisor after a career fair held on campus. I was enthusiastic by all the program had to offer. I finally came to a decision and changed my major to Concrete Industry Management. I was even more excited to know I’d be one of the few girls in the program, and with that came a passion to recruit more girls to the program. I knew from the beginning that CIM was a male-dominated major, but it was not something I feared. As a woman, I feel privileged to be in a major where women are a minority. We may be a minority, but I am proud to say that so far I have been treated with the same respect a man in the industry receives.

How has the CIM program prepared you for your upcoming graduation and entrance into the business world?
The CIM program began preparing me for my entrance into the business world since my freshman year. Through the program, I have been able to network and meet the individuals I know today. Every time I attend a conference I have met someone new, which is something I am grateful for.

What classes have you enjoyed the most? The least?
My favorite classes have been Introduction to Concrete, along with Fundamentals of Concrete Properties and Testing. The introduction to concrete class sold me. I was amazed by the fact that concrete is everywhere! I am currently taking the Fundamentals of Concrete, and it’s one I look forward to the most. I love learning about concrete, and I am excited for all that awaits.

What advice would you give to other current CIM students?
The number one advice that I’d like to give to other current students would be to stay involved, and make yourself known. Make yourself known amongst your peers, as well as professional staff because at the end of the day it’s who you know that will help you get to the peak of your career. I would also recommend that CIM students join clubs and attend conferences. I personally have met a few people who I now consider close at an ACI convention in Missouri. It was through networking that our connection began.