"Lift As You Climb" - Andrea Odegard-Begay On How a Mid-Career Woman Water Professional supports Girl Scouts and Younger Team Members while Advancing Her Own Career and Finding Support

With a Hispanic and Native American daughter who is also a Girl Scout, Andrea is very conscious of the need to point out women leaders to her daughter and other young girls, helping them to see what is possible as they begin to picture their future. As a "Rising Professional" working her way up through Environmental Consulting Firms and Industry Association Leadership Roles, she recognizes how influential she can be in supporting and mentoring women and people of color through these positions as well. At the same time, she recognizes that she - like all of us - needs a place to recharge and receive support, as she has done through her participation in Womxn In Water (a "Girl Scout troop" of her own!).

Andrea is concerned about the lack of women in leadership positions and has noticed that, while many women start in engineering, not all stay. She is working to encourage young girls, including her daughter, to see role models in technical careers, including women in leadership positions. She believes that having women in leadership roles and providing mentorship opportunities will help retain women in the industry and encourage more to pursue engineering careers. The speaker acknowledges that some women in leadership positions may feel pressure to conform to certain expectations but highlights the importance of having women's voices and experiences represented in the industry.

Andrea discusses the need to recruit and retain women, especially women of color, in engineering. She shares her experience of entering the field as a feminist and how she had to overcome roadblocks. She advocates for the creation of affinity groups led and directed by women to help retain women in the industry. She also discusses the need for mentorship, training, and support to help women navigate the industry and overcome roadblocks. She shares her experience of being the first woman eligible to become an associate in her division and the challenges she faced.

Andrea and DrCat discuss career advancement and how it is not always a linear path. The importance of having transparency from the organization on what is required for a role is discussed, as well as the need for mentorship and sponsorship to understand the politics of an organization. The speaker shares their experience of having participated in a formal mentorship program that did not provide the needed guidance, but having found value in informal mentorship with colleagues. Finally, Andrea talks about her experiences with the Womxn In Water organization, which provides a platform for women in the industry to network and share their experiences, and how important it is for Women at all ages and career levels to have their own support system in place.