Civil and environmental engineers play a critical role in shaping the systems that support our communities, yet the full lifecycle of public infrastructure often remains unknown or feels like a black box when you’re a student focused on mastering technical fundamentals.
This presentation will explore how civil and environmental engineers contribute across the municipal project lifecycle by drawing on my experiences ranging from detailed and conceptual design in New York City and Philadelphia to planning and strategy in Vancouver, WA. We will discuss the profession’s impact, not only within design and construction, but also long-term decision-making and strategic planning. The goal is to showcase the diverse opportunities to apply engineering expertise in shaping the future of public infrastructure.
Emily Murphy is a principal at Brown and Caldwell with nearly a decade of experience as a project engineer and manager in municipal water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. Her work has ranged from conceptual and detailed design to strategic planning, with project experience spanning both the East and West Coasts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.