Tough projects, long hours, and blurred boundaries with remote communication.
These are just a few career challenges that can impact a civil engineer’s mental health. And on top of everything a civil engineer might deal with, the stigma around seeking help in STEM careers can prevent individuals from getting the support they need to thrive.
But things are starting to change. And what’s driving that change is the people working to create a space for others to share their feelings, both in and out of the office.
In a recent Thursdays@3 discussion, experts came together to discuss their experiences receiving and providing mental health support. Find out below how they have navigated the mental health space.
Katherine Hedberg
ADA coordinating engineer at Connecticut Department of Transportation; Old Lyme, Connecticut
“The change from private to public sector offered better work-life balance where there are clear expectations for schedule and overtime is something that needs to be requested prior. When I was in private side, it was difficult to set boundaries with overtime and project deadlines where the expectation was having overtime every week.”
“Having my therapist to talk through situations has helped center me. I don’t discredit being vulnerable, seeking help, and just taking that extra step. Having mentors, coworkers or even friends within your ASCE chapter to lean on can help to talk to someone, while recognizing that they’re not medical professionals.”
Lauren Kilgore
Civil analyst at Kimley-Horn; Atlanta
“If there’s ever anything that's going on in the office, there should be somebody who's first-aid certified – or somebody who's your confidant – so they're aware if there were to be a change in your behavior and how you're showing up for work. That's something I would do that I've done for other people here in my office.
“Externally, Google can help you out and get you some quick things if you’re in a hustle to find something. I think the first step of getting things going in the right direction for you is having that like initial thing, like, ‘Hey, like maybe this is outside of my wheelhouse, and I need to kind of punch it to somebody else's court.’ And that helps take all the pressure that we feel every single day. It’ll take some of that off your plate and kind of give you the space to put yourself first.”
William McAnally
Engineer at Dynamic Solutions LLC; Columbus, Mississippi
“When I was at the university, I was quite often approached by students with problems, and I found that most of the time, all they needed was just somebody to listen. So, I had some training and practiced active listening.
“But there were several times when I felt like they were needing something that this listening wasn't getting them. Fortunately, our building was 20 steps from the building where student counseling services were offered. So, I would call over there and we had a code-word going thing where I'd just say, ‘Hey, I've got somebody here that would probably benefit from talking to you.’ And they knew enough not to ask a lot of questions and not to insist on making an appointment. And they would say, yeah, just bring them over. So I'd walk them over there and put them in the hands of somebody who knew what they were doing.”
Miguel Ribeiro
Owner of VBS IT Services; Toronto, Canada
“Early in my career, I was working 80-hour weeks, constantly under pressure to deliver. That lifestyle eventually caught up with me after I experienced a concussion, followed by anxiety attacks. It forced me to step back and re-evaluate how I was working and living.
“Getting my doctor involved was a turning point. From there, I was guided to the right professionals who helped me rebuild in a healthier way. Today, we also use AI tools within our organization to reduce cognitive load, streamline tasks, and create a better experience for both our team and our clients. But none of that replaces the importance of reaching out for professional help when you need it. Taking that step can make all the difference.”
