still face within STEM, McLamarrah takes a pragmatic view:“ Women even now need to realize it’ s still a male dominated field, and they will still face discrimination and the presumption of incompetence. If they don’ t expect it, they’ ll be discouraged, and they’ ll drop out. But there are ways of contending with these problems: I got more degrees, I got published, I went to conferences, and I made sure my degrees and qualifications were undeniable. You had to have twice as many degrees and qualifications as a man to get to the same place. And I hope it won’ t always be the case.” Additionally, McLamarrah encourages those entering the field to ask lots of questions:“ Don’ t be shy about asking questions and having discussions with your professors to make sure you are getting the most out of your courses. Participate in study groups to help develop skills in working in teams and opening your mind to new or innovative ways of working to prepare yourself for your working career.”
After earning her PhD, McLamaraah went on to become a remote employee of MWH Americas, a global engineering consulting firm specializing in water and wastewater, where she is now Vice President. A nationally recognized expert in Capacity, Management, Operations and Maintenance( CMOM) development and implementation, she has served as an expert witness for several Public Service Commission cases and has consulted with cities and utilities nationwide on large-scale sanitary sewer overflow( SSO) and combined sewer overflow( CSO) projects required by EPA consent decrees. Additionally, she volunteers with the Water Environment Foundation( WEF) on the Collection Systems Committee, and with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, where she has been a fixture on the Fundamentals Examination Committee since 1987. Among her many distinctions, McLamarrah counts her UW-Platteville Distinguished Alumna award as one of her greatest points of pride; she earned the honor in 2005.
When reflecting on the features of the UW-Platteville College of EMS and the WEMS program that lead her to donate so generously, McLamarrah identifies two key priorities:
First, a strong College-wide emphasis on the professional licensure of engineers, with clear pathways to licensure and a heavy percentage of faculty who are registered PE’ s.“ Engineering is a profession,” says McLamarrah,“ and we need to act like one.”
Second, the WEMS program’ s emphasis on supportive mentors, study groups, and the creation of a strong career network of women in STEM.“ I have hope that things will get better,” says McLamarrah of the changing prospects for women in STEM. With generous contributions like hers towards effective programs like WEMS, we are all much closer to that, brighter, future.