Member Spotlight: Cari Pauli
Member Spotlight: Cari Pauli
Title: Traffic Engineer II
Company/Agency: City of Cedar Rapids
Years of WTS Membership: 2
What is the favorite part of your job? I get to have a direct impact on the efficiency and safety of our traffic network throughout Cedar Rapids including traffic signal coordination and street lighting design. With our traffic signal software system and pan-tilt-zoom cameras installed all over the City, I can see issues remotely in real time and make changes/corrections from the office. Being able to see problems, come up with solutions, help implement them as a team, and see the improvement of safety and efficiency as a result is very satisfying and rewarding. I also work with a tremendous close-knit team here at the City. The combination of a rewarding job and a great team makes coming to work not seem like work.
Why did you join WTS? I wanted to join a professional network with a mission to enhance the opportunities for women in a male-dominated field. Having been a part of an underrepresented group in engineering throughout college and even into my career now, I have seen firsthand the misconception and disconnect between men and women and I want to help change the dynamic and make women in transportation more of the norm and not the exception.
What piece of advice do you wish you had received when you were in college or just started your career? I wish someone would have told me to stick to your guns, fight for yourself, have confidence in yourself and your abilities, and never think that you aren’t qualified, or you aren’t good enough. Be an advocate for yourself!
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without? I could not go a day without my family. Raising our 5 kids with my husband, Casey, is by far the most challenging and rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life. My job is certainly rewarding to me and provides me a sense of purpose in my community, but my family is my world and I could not go one day without them.