IPN Spotlight: Kinda Katrib (Engineer I at Virginia Department of Transportation)
Currently Kinda is employed as Architect Engineer I at Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and her job entails review of traffic, hydraulics, and roadway design. Kinda graduated from Old Dominion University last May 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering. While pursuing her bachelors, as Phi Theta Kappa, Kinda participated in Civil Engineering competition WaterJam -Virginia Water Environment Association, VWEA-Student Design Competition Engineer for water replenishment systems. In Student National Mathematics Competition, she received Certificate of Merit.
Kinda is a member in several distinguished honor societies – American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE), Chi Epsilon(XE) which is also known as Civil Engineering Honor Society, and Tau Beta Pi – Engineering Honor Society. Kinda has received several honorary awards including one for Greater Richmond Pocket Books Club Eric and Jeanette Lipman Scholarship.
What skills have helped you in your career?
I think having the strength and belief in myself gave me the courage to do more and more and I always said to myself that I could do it. Never give up – believe it or not I reached a time where I was so close to giving up. I never gave up, I always had faith in God and that he put me in this for a reason and he knows I am good enough and able to go through it all, so I got up again every time and kept working hard until I got to my goals. Moreover, I always tried to look at the bright future and hope for good results and imagine where I will be if I keep working hard.
Create a vision of your goals in your mind – this will help you push yourself to work harder and put in more effort. Set measurable goals to achieve as milestones and when you reach those goals, they will serve as a motivational milestones to make you feel happy. Always tell yourself, ”Never give up, you can do it, and you are where you at for a reason.”
What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I don’t have any regrets, and I am very thankful for all of what I have done till this point, but if I can go back in time, I wish I had the chance to do more internships during school and be more involved in different activities.
What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Always keep in touch and network with people at work and friends from school about the most recent improvements and things that might be helpful for your future.
What is next for you in your career?
I am looking forward to my growth in VDOT while I build my work experience, knowledge, and skills. I will be working on getting my Professional Engineer License. Not sure yet, but maybe when I settle down, I might get my MBA.
What advice would you offer to others?
Set your goals and know what you want. Then, start working hard and do your best to get to these goals. Always have hope, and be optimistic, but the most important thing is never give up.
Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Filling out application for school
• Career advises
• Interviews
Please provide the link to your LinkedIn profile:
Kinda Katrib
Region:
Northeast
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