At the 5th Annual Women Surveyors Summit, I had the privilege of joining an incredible group of 126 women in the field. It was my fourth time attending this empowering event. My first experience was virtual, but this in-person gathering was especially meaningful for me.

The Women Surveyors Summit is hosted in a different state each year. This year it was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event had record attendance. This year, our Women in Survey – Puerto Rico group started a GoFundMe campaign to support women studying surveying in Puerto Rico so they can attend the conference and benefit from the experience.

The summit provided me with a unique opportunity to check off a bucket list item I’ve had since I was a teenager: to visit the iconic Fallingwater House, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935. The chance to explore Fallingwater and learn about its surveying and building construction was a highlight of the summit.

Natalie Martinez, a senior survey trainer with the Army Corps of Engineers, talks about her career with the Corps and how she travels across the country to train Soldiers.

The summit was not only about exploring new places, but also about professional growth, with 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) offered to support our continued development as surveyors. Speakers at the event presented on a variety of topics such as project management, working with old records and descriptions, high-level surveying, ethics, and surveying history.

The list of speakers was exceptional and included successful women who have made significant strides in their fields, both in business and as entrepreneurs.

The author in the Fallingwater House, designed in 1935 by architect Frank Lloyd Wright

One speaker that particularly caught my eye was Natalie Martinez, a Survey Lead Trainer with the Army Corps of Engineers. Her remarks about her career in the Corps and how she now travels nationwide to train Soldiers were both inspiring and insightful.

The summit also addressed the unique challenges faced by women in the surveying industry. It was valuable to listen to the women share their personal experiences and the obstacles they have overcome. Topics ranged from how to confidently ask for a raise to making your voice heard in a male-dominated environment. Because communication styles can differ between men and women, we learned that knowing our audience and finding an appropriate approach is key to effectively communicating our messages.

Attending the Summit has highlighted the importance of our field and how important it is to support and inspire the next generation to pursue a career in surveying. I want to convey to the younger generation that surveying is a career for everyone.

The summit was a powerful reminder of the progress and camaraderie in our field. As one of my mentors always says, “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.” And in the end, it was all worth it. I’m so grateful to have amazing leaders who support me in participating in these events, and I hope to have even more colleagues join me next year.

Melissa Padilla Cintron, SIT, is a survey analyst in DRMP’s Surveying and Mapping/Geospatial Division.