Highlighting the Work and Achievements of Women Engineers
A conversation with Karlee Miller, PE on International Women in Engineering Day (INWED)
- What first sparked your interest in engineering, and what led you to pursue engineering in college?
To be honest, engineering wasn’t always the goal. I was good at math, but I liked the creative side of things too — at one point, I actually chose music over physics. When I graduated high school, I thought teaching math might be the right fit, so I started college planning to become a math teacher. My university had a smart approach — they sent us straight into the classroom. I spent a semester helping out in an 8th grade math class, and while it was a fun experience, I quickly realized that teaching math wasn’t the same as doing math. That wasn’t quite the path for me.
What ultimately steered me toward engineering was my summer job. I’d been working in the engineering department for the city I grew up in since high school, and one summer I was assigned to work with the local electric department updating substation drawings. I even got to go out to the substations themselves — and something just clicked. So that fall, I enrolled in the electrical engineering program at UAA. It felt like the right move, and I graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering. My coworkers at the city used to joke that I should switch to civil to become “civilized” — turns out, they weren’t entirely wrong (but more on that later!).
- Can you tell us a bit about your career journey up to your current role?
After graduating with my degree in electrical engineering, I started out at an electrical design firm in Anchorage. I loved the technical work and had a solid team around me. One of the best parts was getting to travel to some of Alaska’s remote communities, designing power distribution lines and helping improve infrastructure in places that really needed it.
But then life shifted — I became a mom, and priorities changed. We wanted to be closer to family, and the opportunity came up to move back home and return to the city’s engineering department, where I had worked summers during college. I started back at an entry-level position and just kept learning — asking questions, taking on more responsibility, and slowly transitioning into civil work.
Over time, I gained enough experience to pursue my PE license in civil engineering. Earning that license felt like a big turning point — not just because of the credential, but because it gave me the confidence to see myself growing in a new direction. Eventually, I was ready for something different, something that would challenge me in new ways — and that’s when the opportunity to join proHNS came along. It felt like a natural next step, and it’s been a great fit ever since.
- What do you enjoy most about your job today?
Karlee Miller, PE stands inside the Army Corps of Engineers Permafrost Research Tunnel.
Honestly, it’s the variety. No two days are the same — one day I might be reviewing a pay request, the next I’m troubleshooting a long-lead material procurement issue, rewriting a spec so it reflects what’s actually needed, or out on a jobsite inspecting construction progress. I like that there’s always something new to dig into — it keeps me sharp.
I also really value the relationships. I’m naturally more of an introvert, so I never expected that side of the job — the constant coordination, the phone calls, the field conversations — to be something I’d enjoy. But engineering has brought me out of my shell in a lot of ways. Building trust with clients, communicating clearly with contractors, being the person who keeps a project moving forward — I’ve come to really appreciate that human side of the work. That blend of problem-solving and people is what keeps me energized.
- Have you had any mentors or role models who influenced your career path?
Absolutely. I’ve been fortunate to work with coworkers, supervisors, and even contractors who took the time to explain things, bring me into real conversations, and trust me with responsibility early on. That kind of support — especially from people who didn’t have to invest in me — made a big difference. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned came on job sites, from contractors who were generous with their experience and honest about what works and what doesn’t.
Sometimes the best mentorship doesn’t come from a formal program — it’s in the day-to-day interactions, the people who treat you like you belong at the table, and the ones who see what you’re capable of even before you fully see it yourself.
- What’s been one of the most rewarding projects or moments in your career so far?
There’s something especially rewarding about helping a community tackle infrastructure issues — especially when the environment, logistics, or funding make things extra complicated. One of my most memorable experiences was working in two remote communities that are separated by miles of tundra, with only a gravel road connecting them and access by small plane. We were trying to figure out how to connect new substations with a power distribution line, and it involved a lot of collaboration with stakeholders and community members to determine the best route. It was remote, complex, and incredibly rewarding to be part of the solution.
Another project that stands out was a culvert replacement I worked on during my time in municipal engineering. The existing structure was failing, and I spent years running risk assessments, exploring options, pulling together grant applications, and navigating the permitting process — all while working within a tight budget. It took time and persistence, but it’s now constructed and functioning, and I’m genuinely proud to have seen that project through from early concepts to completion.
There’s just something deeply satisfying about solving real problems in real places — stretching limited resources, finding practical solutions, and seeing the impact on a community’s day-to-day life. That’s the good stuff. It’s why I do what I do.
- What advice would you give to young women or girls considering a career in engineering?
Don’t let the fact that you might be the only woman in the room stop you from speaking up. You belong there. Engineering isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about asking good questions, being curious, and not being afraid to figure things out. And find people who support you. The right team can make a world of difference.
- Outside of work, how do you like to recharge or spend your time?
When I’m not knee-deep in specs or juggling project logistics, I’m usually chasing a little peace and quiet — or sharing it with people I love. You’ll often find me out in the woods camping, curled up with a book, or out on the water with a fishing pole in hand. Fishing, especially for halibut, is one of my favorite ways to unplug — the stillness, the patience, and the chance to bring home something for the freezer.
But it’s not all solo time. I really enjoy spending time with family and friends, whether it’s around a campfire or at home hosting a painting party. There’s something grounding about making space for creativity or connection — no deadlines, just good company and a chance to recharge. That mix of quiet moments and shared ones is what keeps me balanced.
