5 Questions with Alumna and Geotechnical Consultant Julia Moriarty

Julia Moriarty (Civil Engineering, ’94) admits she has a tendency to “geek out” when she sees earthmoving equipment and foundation construction in progress. As a geotechnical engineer, she sees a symphony in how a piece of land gets planned, designed, and transformed into a new neighborhood, school, or community. Although it was a specialty she knew little about when graduating, her passion grew daily, especially connecting the dots between schooling and hands-on work at ENGEO, an award-winning international engineering and environmental consulting firm. She was the first female to be named a principal of the firm, where she enjoys mentoring and collaborating on projects ranging from master-planned developments to transportation, mixed-use, and community projects. Literally moving mountains, she has been the lead geotechnical consultant for several master-planned communities that have collectively moved more than 75 million cubic yards of earth; constructed more than 100 miles of roadway and utilities; and incorporated amenities ranging from bridges and water tanks to golf courses and fire stations. 

What was it about soil and rock mechanics that really caught your interest?

I always enjoyed making mud pies and sandcastles as a child. I learned to really appreciate the phrase “a house is only as strong as the foundation it’s built on.”

Were there any influential faculty or classes at Chico State that helped set this as your career path?

I enjoyed nearly all my engineering classes and appreciated the broad spectrum of classes required under the degree program, including surveying! It created a good launch point into the various branches of civil engineering. I also appreciated my elective classes and social activities to keep things balanced.

You were the firm’s first female engineer to become principal. What was it like as a woman to work your way up in a male-dominated industry?

I enjoy learning about people so, for me, asking questions and engaging in conversation was the path to connecting with people, which then created trust and lasting friendships with coworkers, clients, and other architecture, engineering, and construction professionals. 

What advice do you have for other women who want to pursue careers in engineering?

Engineering is a great profession, and the options for which discipline of engineering suits you best are broad—micro to macro, indoor to outdoor, pencil to machine—and you can learn something new every day if you’re open to it. I chose geotechnical engineering since I like being both indoors and outdoors, I like collaborating with others, and I like seeing projects get built and occupied.

What is your next big dream? What will you dare to do next?

I could see myself at some point teaching a college course, and I intend to travel more so I can continue to “geek out” seeing construction in progress with new people in new places.