Pennoni’s Employee Spotlight series gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the talented individuals who make our company thrive. Each month, we highlight a team member’s journey, their passion for engineering and innovation, and the unique impact they’re making at Pennoni.
This week, we’re featuring Lauren Walle, EI, an engineer in our Raleigh, NC, office, to learn more about her experience, her exciting work Deerwood subdivision and what makes Pennoni a great place to grow.
Lauren is a graduate civil engineer at Pennoni. She grew up in the Charlotte, NC, area and went to North Carolina State University (NC State) in 2019 to pursue a degree in civil engineering. She secured a job with Pennoni during her senior year at State and began her career shortly after graduating in the spring of 2023. Working in the Raleigh office has quickly accelerated Lauren’s growth as an engineer, and she’s learning from incredible mentors who have made the experience very rewarding. Lauren is studying hard and will be sitting for her PE Exam in late March. She greatly appreciates the support Pennoni has provided during this grueling process.
What sets Pennoni apart from other engineering firms, and what keeps you excited to come to work each day?
Working in land development, Pennoni is unique in that each of our team members take part in all stages of a project. Rather than taking ownership of a niche within site design, I have been able to work through project items from the kickoff to construction administration.
Having supportive relationships with my colleagues is important to me, and with our office culture being so welcoming and collaborative, each day is enjoyable at Pennoni.
Can you share a moment when a Pennoni colleague really made a difference in your career or a project?
When I started at Pennoni I had limited experience with Civil 3D, the site design software we use daily. I was worried this would set me back, but my colleague David Ragsdale spent a lot of time at the start of my career patiently showing me the ropes and making what seemed to be a daunting experience enjoyable and informative. Almost 2 years later I still learn new skills from David almost every day.
As a Raleigh local, what’s something about the Pennoni office culture that makes it feel like home?
Raleigh is a great place to live, especially for young professionals in the engineering industry. Our Raleigh office is located a short walk from the Lenovo Center where the Carolina Hurricanes and NC State basketball team play, as well as Carter Finley Stadium which makes the office park a lively community. We’re located about 15 minutes from downtown Raleigh, 15 minutes from Research Triangle Park, and under 2 hours to the NC coast which I particularly appreciate.
Deerwood has been a big undertaking – what’s been the most rewarding or unexpected challenge of working on it?
The large subdivision called Deerwood located in Raleigh, NC has been so rewarding. The site is over 120 acres of undeveloped land that will become a major subdivision with single family homes and multifamily development. I’ve seen a lot of changes made throughout the design process that has made the job at times overwhelming but has taught me a lot about the process of land development and ways to problem solve to satisfy a client’s request.
Looking back at your time at NC State, what led you to Pennoni, and what advice would you give students looking for their dream job?
I had an incredible experience at NC State and feel my education made me a great candidate at Pennoni. I found Pennoni at the civil engineering department career fair in 2022 and after touring the office and meeting the employees it felt like I’d fit in well. I’d encourage students looking for a position to be confident in your learned skills and honestly express the areas you need support. Come prepared with questions for the employers that will help you gauge whether you’d be a good fit with the company culture. You’ve done the work to get to this point, now it’s important to find the place you’ll be able to grow comfortably in your profession.