Maya Cottongim’s exposure to the construction industry started from the time she could walk. “My dad is an ironworker in Chicago, IL, so I’ve been going on site since I could walk,” Cottongim said. “I was always going with him to bring your child to work day.”
Maya Cottongim was the recipient of the ACI Foundation’s 2020-2021 Baker Student Fellowship. However, wanting to try something different for herself, Cottongim first applied to universities with a plan to attend medical school. But, quickly after starting her schooling, she switched her major to mechanical engineering.
“I applied as a physics major doing pre-med, and I realized I did not want to do physics because so much of it was theoretical. I am more of a tangible person,” Cottongim said. “Then, at the end of my sophomore year, I switched to civil/ structural engineering because I started attending more specific engineering courses, and those were the ones that interested me more.”
Exposure to ACI
In 2019, Cottongim began a summer internship at Flood Testing Laboratories Inc., where she made concrete cylinders. During her internship, she met ACI member Andrés MatosOrtiz, who is now ACI Illinois Chapter President.
“Andrés and a lot of other employees at Flood Testing Laboratories were involved in our local ACI chapter,” Cottongim explained. “When I was at work, one of the employees involved in the local ACI chapter gave me an ACI Foundation Fellowship application and told me I needed to apply.”
Impact of an ACI Foundation Fellowship
One of the many benefits of an ACI Foundation Fellowship is the opportunity to attend the ACI Concrete Convention. Cottongim interviewed with the ACI Foundation’s Scholarship Council in April 2020. Due to the global pandemic, all interviews were held online during ACI’s first virtual Concrete Convention.
“When I first received my fellowship, I still didn’t understand the magnitude of ACI and its Concrete Conventions because everything was virtual,” Cottongim said. “Once I was able to attend my first in-person Concrete Convention in Orlando, FL, I realized how many connections I had with ACI and how many networking opportunities there were.”
Cottongim recalled that while at her first ACI Concrete Convention in Orlando, FL, USA, she ended up meeting an ACI member who grew up only 15 minutes away from her. He invited her to come to a meeting for ACI Subcommittee 301-I, Post-Tensioned Concrete – Section 9—which became the first committee meeting she attended, and she is now a voting member.
A Helpful Community
After attending her first ACI Concrete Convention, Cottongim’s exposure to the helpful ACI community did not stop.
“Everyone I’ve met has been so willing to help,” she explained. “On multiple occasions, I’ve called people I know through ACI to ask for advice on work projects. I once called an ACI member in Chicago about a project I was working on in Nashville regarding high-strength concrete. He was able to give me a lot of testing information I was unaware of.”
She also recalled an occasion when she reached out to ACI member James Bristow regarding a masonry project she was working on.
“I know James is very involved with masonry, so I emailed him with a few questions,” Cottongim said. “He sent out an email to additional members, and next thing I knew, I had about five different people answer back to me willing to help.”
Growing within the Industry
Cottongim is currently working as a Project Engineer with Schaefer in Phoenix, AZ, USA. When discussing the process of deciding on her career and employers, she explained some of the factors that were important to her.
“I ended up choosing to work for Schaefer because they are a very culture-focused company. They do a little bit of everything, so I was able to learn all the markets and work with a handful of different project managers,” Cottongim said. “I also wanted to choose a company that was supportive of me staying involved with ACI. When it was discussed, they were excited that I wanted to keep going to ACI Conventions.”
Involvement in the ACI Arizona Chapter
Since relocating to Arizona, Cottongim has not only integrated herself into the local professional community but has also taken on a pivotal role within the ACI Arizona Chapter, currently serving on its Board. As an advocate for mentorship and community engagement, Cottongim has been instrumental in driving initiatives that focus on increasing young member involvement within ACI and the broader community.
“One event the Chapter started hosting in 2024 is our ‘Young Member Connects’,” she explained. “This is an event where each month a company hosts, and young professionals get a chance to network among themselves and established Chapter members. It is a great introduction step for those just starting off in the industry.”
This initiative has been particularly effective, with four successful events already under their belt. Each gathering has seen a substantial turnout and active participation, fostering further discussions that extend beyond the presentations. “Every time, we end up having in-depth conversations that stem off the presentation, which really shows how passionate people are about the work they do,” Cottongim added, highlighting the enthusiasm and dedication of the participants.
The ACI Arizona Chapter has been bustling with activity this past year. Notable events include the annual bowling event, which brought together members for a casual yet competitive evening, and its annual golf outing, another opportunity for networking and camaraderie. Additionally, Cottongim is currently spearheading the planning of a significant young professional social kickoff event. “It will be Halloween-themed, so that should be a big hit,” she said with enthusiasm. This event aims to foster community spirit and provide a fun, engaging platform for young professionals to connect and build lasting relationships within the industry.
Cottongim’s contributions to the ACI Arizona Chapter exemplify the profound impact that dedicated individuals can have on their professional communities.
The ACI Foundation relies on funding from ACI members, partners, and friends. Supporting upcoming leaders, like Cottongim, is an investment in the future of the concrete industry. To learn more about ACI Foundation fellowship and scholarship opportunities, visit www.ACIFoundation.org/ scholarships.