My name is Isaac Soria, and I am a civil engineering major at San Jose State University and an intern with the Santa Cruz County Department of Community Development and Infrastructure. My experiences working with the county, especially during winter storm seasons, have reinforced my passion for civil engineering by exposing me to the real-world challenges that local communities face. From washed-out roads to failing drainage systems, I have seen firsthand how critical infrastructure is to public safety and quality of life. Challenges such as climate change, aging infrastructure, and limited budgets make addressing these issues challenging, but they also present opportunities for engineers to develop innovative and sustainable solutions. Climate change has intensified storm events and made weather patterns more unpredictable, increasing the strain on existing infrastructure. Engineers must respond by designing resilient systems that adapt to environmental changes while incorporating sustainable solutions such as clean energy integration. However, implementing clean energy in civil engineering projects can be particularly difficult, especially in the COunty of Santa Cruz. Many county maintained roads are located in the mountains, heavily forested areas where foliage reduces the efficiency of solar power and complicates energy transmission. Despite these challenges, I am committed to exploring new ways to integrate sustainability into infrastructure projects. One approach I find particularly promising is the use of recycled asphalt in road construction and reconstruction projects. This method offers numerous benefits, including cost savings, waste reduction, and a lower demand for new materials, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Recycled asphalt is energy-efficient and, when engineered correctly, can perform similarly to new asphalt. However, this process does come with challenges. Material quality can vary depending on the source, and recycled asphalt can be more susceptible to wear from heavy loads and water infiltration. If not properly managed, these issues could shorten the lifespan of a roadway. Rather than seeing these drawbacks as limitations, I view them as opportunities to improve engineering practices. By designing stable slopes, implementing effective drainage solutions, and ensuring that only high quality recycled asphalt is used, we can extend the durability of these roads while maintaining environmental benefits. With California’s ambitious goal of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade, the use of sustainable materials and construction techniques will be critical in achieving these goals. Additionally, as state and federal funding for clean energy projects increases, local governments may have greater financial support to implement innovative infrastructure solutions. My education at San Jose State and my internship with Santa Cruz County have solidified my passion for sustainable engineering and reinforced my commitment to finding practical solutions to infrastructure challenges. By prioritizing recycled materials, developing adaptive infrastructure, and exploring clean energy alternatives, I hope to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future. These efforts align with California’s progressive environmental policies and the growing emphasis on eco-conscious engineering practices. I am excited to be part of a field that not only allows me to apply my technical knowledge but also allows me to make a lasting and positive impact on communities. Civil engineering is more than just constructing roads and bridges, it’s about improving lives, protecting the environment, and shaping a future where infrastructure is both sustainable and resilient.

As an intern for the Santa Cruz County Department of Public Works, I have experienced first hand the effect flooding has had on local communities. The climate change crisis, pre-existing infrastructure, and state budgets and regulations all contribute to the challenges in finding and implementing solutions to flooding. Climate change has great affects on flooding and has also increased storm intensity. Because the ocean's surface is warmer, storms are able to form and travel at a much stronger rate than before. Because of this, we have seen an increased amount of catastrophic storms and greater damage in the storm effected areas. As a civil engineer it's important to consider solutions, such as implementation of renewable energy sources, to contribute to mitigating climate change. Climate change will not be something we can reverse. However, we can mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to our new environment. Another challenge is working with pre-existing infrastructure. It is difficult and costly to demolish existing infrastructure for more effective, modernized constructions. For example, Paulsen Road in Watsonville, CA experienced destructive flooding during the January 2023 winter storm surge. When I went to assess the impact of the storm on the road and culverts, half the road was completely flooded. The other half of the road contains a bridge and I discovered that the bridge section was completely dry, there was no water flow under the bridge. Although these situations are exciting when considering the ideas of new constructions, it would be difficult to work with the pre-existing infrastructure as it would require completely pulverizing the road and rebuilding a new road and bridge. Lastly, local and state budgets and regulations can make new construction projects difficult at times. It is important as an engineer to work within environmental regulations and consider the budgets. For engineers working in Santa Cruz County, federal and state budgets must be considered when prioritizing and executing projects. Furthermore, local environmental restrictions must be complied with to ensure new developments are not harming the surrounding ecosystem. Although these restrictions may be difficult to work around, it presents new opportunities for engineers to create new designs and implement them in their projects. For large culvert replacements, the county has implemented HDPE piping. HDPE piping is made of a durable and low maintenance plastic material as opposed to metal pipes that corrode and deteriorate with time. Because of this, water flow has been much smoother and the impacts of heavy rains and flooding have been lessened. In conclusion, there are several factors engineers must consider when it comes to reducing flood issues. Subjects such as global warming, existing infrastructure, and local and state regulations and budgets must all be considered and complied with in order to make certain that new constructions will be efficient and safe. I personally am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that are presented to engineers when faced with adversity. What is most exciting is being able to help the public and seeing your work directly helping residents and the community.