Kelly Williams is a Survey Crew Chief out of McClure’s Ankeny Office. Williams started as an intern, working in the summers of 2020 and 2021 before transitioning to a full-time Crew Chief position in 2022.
In honor of National Surveyors week, let us get to know Kelly!
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: “I am a third-generation farmer’s daughter and grew up in Upstate / Western New York in a small farming town called Marion. I went to school in Pennsylvania at Pennsylvania College of Technology for Civil Engineering and was a two-sport student-athlete playing soccer and tennis. I have two cats named Wrangler and Russell. I love doing outside activities. I also work part-time at The Creamery in Polk City. I have served ice cream since I was 14.”
Q: What made you decide on a career in Surveying?
A: “I decided on Surveying after my first internship at McClure. I enjoyed being outside and decided to take more surveying classes at school so that I would be able to get the full credit amount to get my license someday. I have learned that I really enjoy the history of boundary surveying, being able to read deeds and plats and then search for the property pins.”
Q: What is your favorite part about being a Survey Crew Chief?
A: “I like how the job is easy-going but also provides challenges. There is something new to be learned every day.”
Q: What is a typical day in the life of a Survey Crew Chief?
A: “I usually start by 7:00 am or earlier, I check my emails and communicate with Project Managers or other Crew Chiefs on the tasks needed to be done for the day or week. Then I drive to the job or multiple jobs I am working on. It could either be a topo, boundary, drone flight, or construction staking job. Once the work is done for the day I head back to the office and complete my timesheet and prepare anything that needs to be ready for the next day.”
Q: How does your role support McClure’s vision of making lives better?
A: “I enjoy that surveyors are on a project from start to finish and can see it all develop. We are the frontline of any new development. Engineers, designers, and contractors need us to design and build. We are making lives better by helping them out. At the end of any surveying job, I like being able to say, “I helped build that.” We are helping the community by being a piece of the puzzle in the construction of new homes and places where we work and play.”
Q: Do you have any advice for women exploring a career in Survey or STEAM?
A: “Although it is a very male-dominated career, do not be afraid to do it, especially if you have an interest. You just have to be tough and be ready for anything that gets thrown your way.”
About McClure
Founded in 1956, McClure has grown to a firm of over 250 professionals in eleven offices. With a vision of making lives better, McClure brings engineering expertise and a collaborative approach to identify the best strategies and solutions to bring our client’s vision to life. McClure’s area of expertise is in guiding its clients on making long-term capital investments in the areas of aviation, bridge, community development, construction observation, development, environmental, geotechnical, GIS, landscape architecture, MEP, structural, survey, traffic, transportation, wastewater, and water.
