English is my first language, and Spanish is my second language. I started taking Spanish as an elective course in 8th grade and really enjoyed it. I ended up getting a BA in Spanish, and a few years later I completed my Masters degree in Construction Project Management at a University in Mexico where all but one course was taught in Spanish.
I've had a couple opportunities to use my Spanish with clients, but the place I get to use it the most is in student outreach. We have several local schools with a high percentage of students who speak Spanish as their first or primary language. I enjoy being able to share with students at events about the demonstration I've brought or opportunities within the industry in both languages so they have the opportunity to learn in their preferred language.
Last year I volunteered with a project in a local high school classroom where we led the class through learning about bridges and the teams building their own model bridges for a competition. In our class, every student was a native Spanish speaker, and most were still in the early stages of learning English. I did my best to translate the lessons, answer questions, and encourage the students. I think one often overlooked benefit of speaking your second language to another language learner is demonstrating that it is okay to have to muddle your way through and say things in roundabout ways to avoid words you don't know yet. I was there as an industry professional who also has a degree in Spanish, but I never learned how to say "construction paper" or "hot glue" or "girder bridge" or many other words that came up in the class. It was cool to be able to have an exchange with the students where I was there to teach them, but they also had opportunities to teach me.
One of my favorite moments at a career exploration fair was when a couple of junior high boys tentatively approached my booth and were speaking softly to each other in Spanish about what my drainage demonstration model might represent. I asked them a question in Spanish, and one of the boys was immediately enthusiastic and asked me to hang on. He went to get some of his friends who were hanging back from the booths so that I could explain it to all of them. My Spanish is by no means perfect, but the ability to speak Spanish in that moment gave a handful of students the opportunity to hear about Civil Engineering.
I've also noticed at several events that when the friend groups are going around, one or two who are more proficient in English are trying to translate everything for their friends. It is nice to be able to take some of that load off of them while they are at my booth since I know that translating can be mentally exhausting.
Civil Engineering is a global career field, and it is nice to have opportunities to speak or hear about civil engineering across cultures by being bilingual.
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Heidi C. Wallace, P.E., M.ASCE
Tulsa, OK
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-11-2025 02:55 PM
From: William McAnally
Subject: Additional Language Skills?
Do you speak languages other than English? How have you found that useful in your career? Engaging stakeholders? Communicating with international colleagues? Traveling?
If not, have you encountered barriers when not being able to communicate to others in their native language?
Mitch Winkler and Bill Mc
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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
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