Engineering is for everyone. RPA Engineering is proud to empower Women in Engineering and hopes to inspire future generations of women in STEM. Through this series, we celebrate engineering professionals in a collection of interviews with engineers, designers, and project managers.
This month we interviewed Gina Peluzzo, a Structural Designer here at RPA.
What is your degree/specialty?
My degree is in Civil Engineering Technology.
What is your role at RPA?
I’m a Structural Engineer in Training (EIT) and I work on all kinds of structural needs for our clients.
How or why did you choose engineering as a career path/area of study?
I’ve always loved learning how structures are built and then seeing something you planned come to life. As a hobby, I work with my hands, doing home renovations and some woodworking. I think structural engineering is just like construction but on a much larger scale.
What inspires you about Engineering?
I love being challenged by engineering. There’s nothing more satisfying than figuring out a solution and then seeing it built. We have many clients who have quirky requests for their equipment or processes, and we’re constantly challenged to find a unique solution.
What challenges do women face in the Engineering professions or academia?
In my military role, I probably have seen the most challenges. I worked overseas as a manager and there were contractors who refused to speak to a woman.
What is the most exciting thing about your job?
I personally like working with steel structures the most. There is a lot of detailed work involved and I like the precision of completing the design.
What does a typical day in your job involve?
I will work on multiple different projects a day, so it’s never boring. I usually spend a large chunk of my time in design programs and talking to the drafters about how the concepts will be displayed on plan sheets for the client. I also bug my mentor with questions all day so that I can continually learn more complex concepts.
What are your hopes for the future of Engineering?
My hope is that people in the engineering field have the attitude to always keep learning and innovating.
What would you say to young women in school/college who may be considering Engineering as a career choice?
I think it’s a great choice! You learn a skill that will last a lifetime and will never be without a job.
What is your favorite kind of engineering problem to solve?
I like working in the design programs and seeing your concept come to life before it’s even built.