Women in Construction Week: Jennifer Lundy

 

Project Manager Jennifer Lundy attended Oregon State University’s Construction Engineering Management College

When Jennifer Lundy was growing up on the Oregon Coast, she witnessed the construction of the new Alsea Bay Bridge.  “This was my first eye opener to something bigger in the construction industry,” Jennifer said. “It was obvious the project would need more than the laborers in the field to get the job done. It was much more involved and complicated.”

 

An active youth with interests ranging from math and science to leadership and 4-H sewing programs, Jennifer was not immediately aware that construction would be her future. She was creative and had a knack for following patterns. Clearly an analytical person from childhood, Jennifer did know a career in the math and science fields was her best bet to achieve independence and a good earning potential.  “I was always drawn towards math and science and felt there were better career options in those fields” She said “I made sure math was a focus throughout my education.”

 

“Growing up, my parents taught me to be independent and have tremendous belief in myself. I knew I could do whatever I wanted to do.” Jennifer took that encouragement seriously when she traveled to OSU for college. Undecided on her major, she searched through the various colleges, attended introductory classes and learned about different career choices. “I was intrigued when I came across the Construction Engineering Management (CEM) program.”

 

Oregon State has long been known as an engineering school with dedicated engineering coursework dating back to the late 1800s and Jennifer knew that meant math and science. “The program was very unique, with the academic focus including science and engineering with a strong business component. I liked the variety in the classes and knew it would provide flexibility in my career. At that time the CEM program was also very appealing because it had 100% job placement upon graduation and this was important because I had college loans to pay back,” she said.

 

“I thrive on the idea of a project being designed on paper and brought to fruition where it is an operating building. Straub Middle School, the KROC Community Center—these are places that I visit and engage with the communities that fill the halls. It is very fulfilling to know the project started as a dream and our teams created a living building.”

 

Her decision to go the CEM route landed her after college at Hoffman Construction first and shortly thereafter with Pence. She has worn numerous hats with the company ranging from project management to marketing to operations. “Project management is where my heart and soul reside,” she said. “I thrive on the idea of a project being designed on paper and brought to fruition where it is an operating building. Straub Middle School, the KROC Community Center—these are places that I visit and engage with the communities that fill the halls. It is very fulfilling to know the project started as a dream and our teams created a living building.”

 

Jennifer now has two daughters and a son. She says her own upbringing with parents who encouraged her to do what she was interested in with a focus on a successful outcome has influenced how she talks about career choices with her high schooler. “I don’t put limitations on anything,” she said. “My parents told me I could do anything I wanted to do, as long as I worked hard for it and I try to instill these same beliefs in my kids. I still push certain things. I want them to be happy, independent and self-sufficient.”

 

As one of the five women in her graduating Construction Engineering Management class of 41, Jennifer knew she was going to be a minority in the industry. But it has not slowed her down or limited her progress. “Women have their own strengths,” she said. “We think differently. My role now is one of collaborating, developing processes, communicating ideas, teaching and educating.  I know being a Mom has made these tasks easier for me.””

 

The CEM program at OSU attracts the smallest number of women of the entire College of Engineering’s 14 majors. Ellen Momsen, the Director of Women and Minorities in Engineering says resources are available for women who are interested in joining the program. “My office, Women and Minorities in Engineering, manages undergraduate research programs where first and second year students can participate in paid research with faculty members. We have study tables, a woman in engineering center, and a student chapter of the Society of Women Engineers.”

 

She encourages future women engineers to check out more at http://wme.engr.oregonstate.edu