Emphasizing Resiliency on Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day

For Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day 2025, we spotlight Estimator Daniela Mora, whose story demonstrates the power of perseverance and mentorship.  

“I chose the construction industry because it intertwines altruistic ingenuity and people in one beautiful and complex experience.” 

As a young girl, Daniela Mora marveled at the innovation and collaboration needed to build roads and bridges. While others saw traffic jams, she saw infrastructure connecting communities — an outlook that continues to this day.  

After graduating from California State University, Long Beach, in 2017, Daniela began her career as an intern, performing takeoffs and supporting multiple projects. Her strong work ethic propelled her through project engineer, estimator and project manager roles. By 2021, she joined Flatiron as a takeoff engineer specializing in concrete paving and quickly assumed critical responsibilities within her first year. 

Now a paving estimator, Daniela evaluates innovative, cost-effective solutions for infrastructure projects. For example, in a recent value engineering effort, she identified a potential $3 million savings for a client. 

Beyond her technical expertise, Daniela is dedicated to fostering future construction and engineering leaders. She volunteers at career fairs, speaks at universities and mentors college teams in national competitions. Her guidance has shaped California State University, Fullerton, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and California Baptist University students as they tackle real-world challenges.  

“Mentorship allows me to share knowledge and experience I’ve gained, while also providing a safe space for college students to ask questions, make mistakes and grow. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch these students land internships and be excited to pursue a career in construction.” 

We asked Daniela to share advice for early career women interested in engineering, and she emphasized the importance of taking care of oneself, building a network and asking questions. Here’s what she shared: 

1. Embrace your passion and resilience. Engineering is tough, no doubt. It’s not always the smoothest ride, and there will be challenges, whether they’re technical or societal. But if you’re passionate, hold on to that. There will be moments when you might feel like you don’t belong or wonder if you can do it, especially when you’re one of the few women in the room, but stay focused on why you started.  
2. You’re not alone, even when it feels like it. There were many times early in my career when I felt isolated. It’s important to recognize that you aren’t the only woman pursuing engineering; many others have been where you are. Seek out women mentors, networks or communities. Sometimes, having someone to relate to makes all the difference, and even if you don’t have one immediately, know that you can be that mentor for someone else one day. 
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s OK not to know everything. I used to hesitate to ask out of fear of seeming “incompetent” or “inexperienced.” I’ve learned that asking for help, clarifying things you don’t understand, and constantly learning is a strength, not a weakness. Don’t let anyone make you feel less than for not having all the answers. 
4. Stand up for yourself. There will be times when others underestimate or treat you unfairly. You have to develop the courage to speak up, whether it’s in a meeting, about a project, or addressing bias. Being strategic about when to push back and when to let things slide is also important.  
5. Take care of yourself. This may sound cliché, but self-care is crucial. Work never stops, the pressure of constantly meeting deadlines can build up and burnout is real. Take time for yourself, do something fun, or just step away from the computer. You can’t be the best version of yourself at work without prioritizing your well-being. 

She wrapped up her advice, reminding all early career women, “You belong in this field. Keep pushing forward, even when it gets tough. There’s room for you at the table, and you will absolutely make a difference in the engineering world.” 

Daniela’s journey from a young girl fascinated by infrastructure to a mentor shaping the next generation of engineers showcases the incredible potential of a career in construction.