In a field crowded with male engineers, Grace Samish is thriving. And now, after almost six years in the industry, she recalls her path to a career in Mechanical Engineering was not typical. “It all started when I was at City College taking general courses. I didn’t know what I wanted to do.”

When a female classmate suggested she’d be good at mechanical engineering, Samish didn’t know what a mechanical engineer was. “She listed all the things I was good at, like working with my hands, taking stuff apart, and numbers.”

Samish was intrigued. She enrolled at San Francisco State University and declared her major in the field of mechanical engineering. “Once I started taking classes, I was excited to have a plan -- even though I knew it was a long road ahead,” she said.

Pushing Through Doubts

But it wasn’t easy.  She recalled a time when she had severe doubts about the path she had chosen. “I was not a great test taker, was not that good at writing, and school was very tough. I panicked – for a bit!” But having made a commitment to herself, she knew she had to push through. Upon returning to school, she made an effort to find peers in class who were not only diverse, but open-minded like herself. “We had study sessions where we could admit we didn’t understand an assignment. And then we would work through it together.”

Key Mentors Along her Career Path

Samish began her career straight out of college with an internship at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). She was a Mechanical Design Trainee with SFPUC’s Engineering Management Bureau. She remembered learning a lot about mechanical systems and the design process.

In particular, she said, “I learned the importance of engaging with your team and asking questions.”

Her first project, Northpoint Outfall Rehabilitation Project, was with Construction Manager Jim Wang. Even though she was new to the field, Jim had faith in her ability to solve problems. “Jim would ask questions that helped me develop solutions on my own,” said Samish. “If I ever seemed in over my head he would show up in support.” That process and trust, she said, gave her confidence.

As she continued to be a part of many SFPUC projects with a variety of departments, she met Water Enterprise Project Manager Heather Pohl (now retired). “As a young woman,” Samish recalled, “I was still thinking I had to immediately know everything.”  Heather was there to remind her that it wasn’t about being perfect. “She kept saying, ‘take the time to review the background, come up with new ideas, and develop a plan.’”

Samish now works for Joe Hill Consulting Engineers on the Scope 2A Project Closeout for the Southeast Treatment Plant’s New Headworks Facility Project. (A construction closeout ensures all construction work is completed according to contractual obligations and confirms that the quality matches the requirements.)

Sharing her Expertise

As part of her work, Samish also volunteers time for inspiring students who might be interested in mechanical engineering. “During the pandemic, I offered to be on a virtual ‘career speed-dating’ for students in mechanical engineering.” As they asked her questions about her work and advice for getting started, she had a realization. “Maybe I do know what I’m talking about!”

Advice for Young Women

When asked what advice she has for women thinking about careers in mechanical engineering or other math and science-related fields, Samish put it simply: “You don't have to get it right the first time. In fact, you probably won't. But trust in yourself, know you are smart enough, and in the end, with hard work and teamwork, you’ll accomplish what you set out to do.”