Megan Williams ’09, Boeing project manager
Megan Williams ’09 is on the team overseeing the construction of The Boeing Company’s new Washington D.C. headquarters. As a historic preservation and community planning major, she learned to read (and draw) architectural plans and now she is designing workspaces for a Fortune 500 company.
Q: What is your job title and how would you describe your job?
A: I am a project administrator with The Boeing Company. For the past two years I have been 100 percent dedicated to the design, management, and construction of Boeing’s new DC headquarters, a new 320,000 square-foot office building in Arlington, Va., across from the Pentagon.
The move-in date for the building is two months away, making my daily focus attending to all aspects of the building to ensure its readiness for approximately 550 Boeing employees. A typical day involves meeting with the architect and general contractor to discuss design decisions and progress on construction. My day varies between the big picture of building completion and management of the smaller details like selecting furniture.
RELATED: Learn more about Boeing South Carolina, located 20 minutes from College of Charleston.
Q: What is your favorite part about your job?
A: Without a doubt, it is the dynamic nature of this job. I am only at my desk between meetings and visits to the jobsite. My current project is a unique one, as Boeing rarely constructs Class A buildings.
Working for such a large company presents incredible opportunities for working with people in many fields, with varied backgrounds. Of course, touring the 787 Dreamliner and watching the space shuttle fly over Washington, DC from a spectacular vantage point are definite pluses as well!
Q: How did you get this position?
A:I began my career at Boeing as a contractor, working in conference planning. I was hired by Boeing in February 2012 to work in facilities operations, which brought me into contact with the people working on the new building. Sharing my background from college as well as my interest in architecture and building projects opened the door to this position. Everybody knows that networking is important with regard to shaping your career, but sometimes it is as simple as sharing your interests with the people in your office.
Q: How did you learn to read architectural plans?
A: One of the requirements for my historic preservation degree was a course called Preservation Planning Studio. One assignment was to create a set of drawings for Sottile House, to include floor plans and selected elevations of the former home. Learning the symbols and language used by architects to illustrate spaces was essential in order to translate the building in situ to a legible plan. Certainly there are vast differences between a 100-year old home and a new office building, but many of the symbols on the drawings are the same. While the studio class was one of the most difficult courses in college, I have found it to be one of the most useful in my professional career.
RELATED: Read about a shocking discovery historic preservation students made in February 2014.
Q: What is your dream job?
A: I would enjoy the opportunity to work on a project management/construction team at a Boeing manufacturing site, where a tangible product is developed and manufactured. Boeing of course is known around the world as an aircraft manufacturer, and working within that environment would be a fascinating contrast.
My ultimate dream job would involve project management with historic sites. Combining my technical skills with a lifelong passion for history and architecture–that is a dream job!
Q: How did the College of Charleston help or prepare you?
A: As long as I can remember, I wanted to attend the College of Charleston. For me, the College’s focus on a liberal arts education made it possible to explore areas that were not required for my degree, yet added great value to my education. The College, as well as my exceptional advisor, encouraged me to explore related areas which further developed a lifelong love of learning. That desire to continue learning is crucial in my work environment, as every day presents opportunities to pick up new skills and ideas.
Q: What advice would you offer current students?
A: While in college, I naively thought that I would get my dream job right out of college. Reality taught me otherwise.
My advice to current students would be to start exploring fields that interest you as early as possible. Talk to your professors, advisor, and other students about opportunities that will allow you to get your feet wet. Internships are incredibly valuable. I interned at four different places, each completely different, before I acquired my first full time paid position. I met interesting people who were of great assistance during college and after graduation.
