Maria Garcia Rodriguez

Howdy! I am Maria Paula Garcia Rodriguez, and I am passionate about people and problem-solving.
My academic journey began long before college. I moved to the United States during my final year of high school without knowing any English. I have always believed in the value of hard work and a strong character. In one year, I completed the American high school requirements, learned English, applied to college, and maintained work responsibilities simultaneously. This set me on a path to complete three associate degrees through community college while pursuing my undergraduate degree. These experiences solidified my resilience, time‑management, and problem‑solving skills, while also helping me develop and improve my communication in a different language.

I am a Civil Engineer graduate from Texas A&M University, where I focused on Construction
Engineering and Management and minored in Engineering Project Management. I am currently an MBA candidate at Texas A&M’s Mays Business School.

My experience and interests as a Civil Engineer have been in Transportation and Heavy Civil Construction, and I completed three internships as a Field Engineer for Zachry Construction. I am a fast learner and a driven, passionate individual who likes to own and oversee every single aspect of
whatever responsibility has been assigned to me. Whether it is counting temporary barriers to make traffic switches or helping plan and oversee big operations, I always give my 100 % to ensure I can provide value as well as quality work to my team. I am detail‑oriented, which allows me to maintain good organization and continuity to perform cost control and operational planning as a Field Engineer.

In my role as a Field Engineer, I worked hands‑on in operations to gain a clear understanding of construction processes, materials, equipment, and activities required for different operations and
disciplines within highway construction. My passion in construction relates to the direct impact that
projects have on communities, and the expression of culture that they give in the social context. I love the collaboration and teamwork that happens throughout the project. I thrive in environments that challenge me to keep learning and adapting while creating meaningful connections.

As a young engineer, it excites me to see the construction industry evolving in a direction where there are more females in leadership positions, as well as to witness the first‑hand impact that construction has on the communities around it. As an ever‑learning individual, I have obtained my Engineer‑In‑Training certification, and my current goal is to obtain my PE license. In construction, I am Interested in advancing into Project Controls at a higher level by exploring different projects, areas, and teams and supporting and guiding them in the right direction to enhance their performance.