Leadership & the Future of Construction Careers: A Project Engineer’s Perspective

Karla Sanchez is a project engineer with over 15 years of experience in infrastructure and civil projects. Her specialized work on complex infrastructure — including water systems that serve more than three million people — has given her insight into specialized technical expertise, as well as the importance of human-centered leadership in an industry facing growing workforce challenges.

From Curiosity to Career

Karla’s path into civil engineering began far from the college classroom. Working in the garage with her father, an HVAC tradesman.

“I fell in love with being able to see things being put together, taken apart,” Karla says, likening it to solving intricate puzzles.

Initially pursuing mechanical engineering, she switched to civil engineering, seeking a more social and collaborative role.

During her studies at Long Beach State University, internships — including one with the San Francisco Public Utility — ignited her passion for California water infrastructure. The work involved solving complex engineering problems in already developed areas, teaching her that building essential systems often requires both technical skill and creative problem-solving.

After college, Karla joined major contractor Kiewit, gaining hands-on experience managing subcontractors on high-profile public works and infrastructure projects such as the 405 Freeway. She recalls the pride of telling people, “I helped build this wall,” connecting her work directly to the community she serves.

Over time, Karla has learned that success in construction depends as much on people skills as technical expertise. Communication, flexibility and the ability to “keep your cool” are key when interacting with the multitude of stakeholders affected by a project, including city officials, colleagues and contractors and local community members.

She emphasizes that success in this industry often requires building trust rather than leading with academic credentials. She advises newcomers to ask questions, understand the tradespeople’s perspectives and let their work speak for itself.

In public projects, she champions transparency. When budget, timeline, or design constraints prevent certain requests, she explains the rationale clearly, engaging operations and maintenance staff from design to completion so they feel like they are working at the highest levels.

Championing Skilled Trades

Karla makes it part of her mission and work to showcase how interesting and welcoming the industry can be for women and people of color, noting that she uses social media to highlight her journey in construction. With the industry strapped for talent, Karla says this is how she does her part.

Still, despite a recent growing interest in construction careers, the U.S. faces a severe shortage of skilled trades workers.

Karla challenges the “college is the only way” mindset, highlighting that trade careers can be lucrative and debt-free. She directs career changers to local, cost-effective programs and stresses that trade roles remain resilient in the face of automation and AI due to the adaptability and problem-solving they require. “I’ve given six-figure checks to carpenters who can acquire assets without student debt,” she notes, emphasizing the financial opportunities in skilled trades.

Her advice to newcomers, particularly women, is to “do the scary thing” and step outside comfort zones. She stresses strong communication and writing skills, hands-on field experience and building relationships by learning from foremen and superintendents. She also cautions against accepting administrative-only roles, encouraging proactive engagement in the field to gain credibility and mentorship opportunities.

"I'm out there, like in the dirt with the guys," Karla says. She recently developed a six-week virtual pre-apprenticeship program for a nonprofit and plans to launch her own initiatives to support workforce development in construction and STEM fields.

Her approach reflects a broader industry challenge: Women represent only 11.2% of the construction workforce, and underrepresentation among Black professionals is just 6.5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sanchez’s commitment to mentorship and inclusion is timely, helping cultivate a more diverse and resilient workforce while providing pathways for the next generation of construction leaders.

Building a Future in Construction

Karla Sanchez’s career exemplifies how technical expertise, relational skills and thoughtful leadership can drive both project success and workforce development.

She demonstrates that leadership in infrastructure isn’t just about building structures — it’s about building people. Her guidance serves as a roadmap for newcomers, particularly women and underrepresented professionals, and underscores the role of mentorship, transparency and hands-on engagement in shaping the construction industry’s future.

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