CAREER STORY
“As a woman in engineering, I never
go in thinking I’m the only one. I
show up and just do my job.”
– Johnna Emanuel
While at Moretrench, the superintendent for her first field
assignment was Shane O’Neill, who threw her right into the work.
“He didn’t treat me any differently from anyone else,” she said.
“He taught me a lot, knowing I was new to the industry. We’ve
worked together quite a bit since then. Over the four years I worked
at Moretrench, I’d call him with a question or for advice, and he was
always there for me.”
As a mentor, O’Neill helped her get through that first project,
where she was young, inexperienced and the only woman on
the site.
“It was exciting to go to work every day,” said Emanuel. “He
opened my eyes to the world of construction.”
In her spare time, Emanuel and her family raise puppies for the
Guide Dog Foundation, house training them and teaching the dogs
basic manners while exposing them to sensory stimulation. When
15422 CANYON RD. E., PUYALLUP, WA 98375
they’re a year old, the dogs move on to a rigorous training program
that will see them graduate as seeing eye dogs, veterans’ companions
or as police, military or customs animals.
“If they don’t pass, you have first dibs to take them back,” said
Emanuel, adding that it’s often difficult to say goodbye to the dogs.
She’s also a baker who enjoys creating extravagant cakes and
cupcakes for friends and family.
Although women are rare in her field, Emanuel doesn’t
worry about that. For her, it’s simply about bringing her
A-game every day.
“As a woman in engineering, I never go in thinking I’m the only
one. I show up and just do my job. I don’t notice or acknowledge
the disparity between women and men in the field. My advice:
Don’t think about it, just do your best always.” t
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