Women in Engineering: Alumni
Essence Pitts, Civil Engineering
Essence Pitts is a proud 2024 graduate of the University of Memphis, where she earned
a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. She currently works as a Traffic Engineering
Designer for the City of Memphis, specializing in various aspects of traffic operations,
including signal systems, roadway signage, and pavement marking design.
Passionate about community-driven transportation solutions, Essence is committed to ensuring that city traffic projects align with the needs and concerns of local residents. She is also dedicated to inspiring and supporting young women in pursuing careers in STEM, advocating for greater representation in engineering and related fields.
Ashely Woodall, Engineering Technology
A Memphis native, Ashely Woodall is a Houston High School Graduate & mother to daughter
Brooklyn. She served in the United States Army and was deployed to Afghanistan (2012-2013).
She graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Spring 2020, the first class of Covid-19.
While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Ashely had many internships, such as Urban
Fellows working at City Hall in the Traffic Engineering department, the National Guard
Products (NGP), and Turner Construction.
The internship with Turner changed her perspective on the career opportunities available to her. Assuming that general contractors only wanted civil or mechanical engineers, she realized that was incorrect. General contractors seek problem solvers, driven-thinkers, team players, leaders, self-motivating people who can adapt to change and be team players. After a four-year intership, she became an assistant superintendent. Her first project was the Shelby County Health Department, where she learned a great deal. Importantly, it helped her identify the career path she wanted to cultivate and grow into...that of a superintendent.
From that project, Ashely worked on many more, learning and growing, until one day, she took a leap of faith, left the company, and went to work for Flintco. I was offered a corporate role within the industry, scheduling manager. "It was the best thing I could have done for myself!" she said. She is currently a full-time scheduling manager on a $850 million project and assisting project teams in Memphis and Springdale, Arkansas.