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Julee Attig | Business Development Associate, Michael Baker International

Posted by Communications2 on Feb. 10, 2021  /  Member Spotlight  /  Subscribe 1

How long have you worked at your company?
I’ve been with Michael Baker International since mid-September 2020.

How would you describe your role/job? 
My role is focused on Business Development, so I am responsible for pursuing opportunities across our four-state region. In addition to my geographic focus, I also have a focus on transportation and federal opportunities.

What are the rewards of your job? 
I was interested in this role because I always seek to challenge myself, and I felt that this position would give me the opportunity to grow. Since the company has a team of 4,000+ people and nearly 100 offices across the country, I was excited to be a part of something so big, with project pursuits so big as well.

What are your challenges?
Starting a new job during the coronavirus pandemic has been challenging. It’s tough to build and foster relationships with coworkers and collaborators in a virtual world. I look forward to returning to the office one day to get to know my office mates.

It has also been quite a while since I have pursued Federal work, so I have had the fun challenge on my hands of getting reacquainted with all of the many Federal acronyms out there.

What has been your most meaningful project? 
I have had the opportunity to be a part of high-profile and challenging project pursuits all over our region. The Utah State Capitol Historic Renovation and Seismic Base Isolation, University of Utah’s Transformation Project, Adobe’s new Lehi Campus, and the Zappos headquarters campus in Las Vegas have been just a few of the more exciting ones.

How long have you been an SMPS member? 
I started attending chapter meetings in 1996 and joined in 1999 officially (although I actually was volunteering with one of the committees before joining which made Marion Cook unhappy).

What is your role in SMPS?
In addition to serving as Special Events Chair, I have volunteered with the Education Committee and moderated panel discussions.

What led you to serve on the Board?
I probably first joined the Board to have more time to hang out with my friends! Many clients and industry friends were on the Board, and I knew I would get to spend time with them, so that was a huge bonus for me both personally and professionally. Since serving as chapter president, it’s been more about giving back to an organization and members who have given so much to me.

How has SMPS membership helped you? 
This organization has most definitely brought wonderful friendships into my life. I am very fortunate to call many members of our chapter my friends.

When you enter this industry, you often don’t think you can have a seat at the table because you aren’t a “technical” team member. But because of the great education and leadership opportunities I have had at local, regional and national levels, my confidence has grown and my value to my employers as well. I now am fully capable of having a leadership or partnership seat in this industry.

What’s the best career advice you’ve received?  
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be eager to engage to get the answers you need.

Also, I’ve certainly benefited from the reminders that this industry is a small world. If you’re not behaving with integrity and kindness then it’s going to come back and bite you. I continually am reminded of the importance of creating relationships that aren’t transactional.

What’s on your bucket list? 
I hope to re-book my plane ticket to Thailand! I already have a 2022 trip to Africa planned, so we’ll see if I can sneak Thailand in before that or not. I enjoy going to concerts and hope I get to see Barry Gibb (the last living Bee Gee) before he leaves this world.

What was your childhood dream? 
To be a librarian. I love to do research, so specifically it was to be a research librarian at the Library of Congress.

Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without? 
Like our friend, Amber Craighill … I love my Real Housewives. Any and all reality T.V. really does the trick to take my mind off work and what’s happening in the world.

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