If you asked me why I chose Civil Engineering for my undergraduate studies, I would probably answer that the major chose me.

At 16, few of us truly understand what careers entail. I was always drawn to mathematics and physics, but I wanted a field that was not only theoretical but also had tangible applications in solving real-world problems. At the time, CSI was popular on television, and I thought I might want to become a chemical engineer. To this day, I still don’t know why I listed Civil Engineering as my first option and Chemical Engineering as my second. But long story short: I was admitted into Civil Engineering, and that set me on a path I’ve never regretted.

Thankfully, I loved the program, which was full of mathematics and physics. It was during a hydrology class that I discovered my true passion: water. I also enjoyed geotechnical engineering, but I sensed that Costa Rica already had many professionals in that field, while there was a growing need for engineers in water resources.

Shortly after graduating, I worked in construction. It was not my passion, but it was valuable experience as an engineer. Wearing a hard hat taught me skills I carry to this day, especially project management, leadership, and an engineer’s mindset of problem-solving under constraints. That lack of fulfillment in construction is what ultimately led me to pursue a master’s in Water Science and Engineering, and later a Ph.D.

Even as my work has shifted more toward science, community engagement, and communication, I still think like an engineer: structured, solution-oriented, and focused on turning knowledge into action. Once an engineer, always an engineer.