Empowered Employee Series: Amy DeBruin
![Four images of Amy: holding a pizza, standing with her husband, standing with Kevin after a race, standing with her two sons](/images/cache/assets/uploads/images/general/Amy_Image_Bar_-_4_Images-2000x470.jpg)
Senior Associate, Amy DeBruin, joined Isthmus in 2008. She shared some of her thoughts on her career path and life away from work.
Describe what it has meant to have a flexible, autonomous, and customizable career path at Isthmus.
When I had my first baby, I couldn’t imagine going back to work even though I had planned to after 12 weeks. Once my kids were toddlers and I found childcare I was comfortable with, I tried to work part-time at another consulting firm on two separate occasions but that didn’t work out well. Then I was introduced to Katie. For years I worked 10 to 15 hours a week at Isthmus, as needed, and had summers off. Gradually, I was able to increase my hours as my kids grew older. I was able to work within the school hours and still had summers off.
This part-time/as needed situation also worked well when Isthmus was small. If there wasn’t a project that could use me part-time, then I didn’t work. I am so thankful for that arrangement! I wouldn’t trade the years I was able to spend with my kids for anything!
Now that my boys are older, I have the flexibility to work as many hours as needed and I have the flexibility to step in and help others when needed. I only recently committed to a 40-hour week as I really enjoy the balanced life that working shorter days or weeks can bring.
What was your experience prior to joining Isthmus?
For some reason, I have not had a traditional roadway design career as a civil engineer. I have had opportunities to work on a few unique jobs that have brought interesting perspectives. I was an inspector for the laying of the 72” pipes for a water intake system which involved me traveling by barge to a cargo boat on Lake Michigan. I also spent a year working in a trailer keeping logs for a water treatment plant ozonation facility design-build project.
I was an inspector for the paving quality at the Milwaukee Mile race track. I got to work as a sub for CH2MHill and work with XPSWMM - and rollerblade home from work every day along Lake Michigan. I also designed a sanitary sewer system for Volk Field combat readiness training center.
For a couple years I worked on the Humphrey Terminal project where I designed the roadways and coordinated with the architects and construction manager. There was also coordination with the LRT coming from the Lindbergh Terminal. I was part of a project that helped the AARF station locate the exact location of the new building site so that the vehicles could make the turning movements. I had the opportunity to work directly with many airport personnel on both of these projects.
Although a lot of my experience prior to Isthmus didn’t directly relate to traditional highway/MnDOT roadway design, Isthmus recognized the valued perspective this “non-traditional” roadway design track provided my career.
What are the values that drive you?
It is important to me to be an honest, good, hard-working person. I think it is important to show respect to our elders and I believe a good work ethic is extremely valuable.
What’s your background?
I grew up in Wisconsin and Maryland. I spent summers in high school with my dad in Wisconsin and the school year with my mom in Maryland. In Maryland, I lived in a first-ring suburb to Washington DC so going to the Smithsonian, seeing the White House, and the cherry blossoms were common occurrences.
In college, my absolute favorite class was band. I played the oboe from 6th grade through college. I planned my schedule around band class. In high school my life revolved around band, softball, and field hockey.
When I was a kid, I would have said that lasagna was my favorite food. Then as I grew older, I probably would have said chocolate and steak (but not together). For some who know me that might be surprising to hear as I’ve now been eating a vegan diet for several years.
I always felt really lucky that I had such a close relationship with my grandma. She was around a lot when I was growing up and I felt very comfortable with her. In college, sometimes I would go watch movies and have pizza with her on Saturday nights as she lived only a few blocks away.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I am happiest moving out in nature. I love hiking, backpacking, and camping. I like doing craft/arty type things too, although my interests change on that. I did pottery for a few years at a local community center and really loved creating things.
What are your top three favorite podcasts/books?
I absolutely LOVE listening to The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins. Is it bad that I don’t read or listen to anything learning-based right now? I do like the Radiolab podcast.