After 36 years, Dziewiontkoski places priority on giving back

Mary Dziewiontkoski credits her 36-year career at the city of Milwaukee to happenstance.

A high school guidance counselor noticed Dziewiontkoski was good at math and suggested she try out engineering in college. So Dziewiontkoski went to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and pursued a degree in engineering. She then landed a job in the city of Milwaukee’s engineering department after graduating.

More than three decades later, she’s still there. Dziewiontkoski said that’s thanks to a guidance counselor who saw her potential to excel in a male-dominated industry. It’s also a lesson she carries with her as she tries to pique kids’ interest in engineering and science.

“If they’re a little bit nerdy in math you still have to encourage it,” Dziewiontkoski said. “You have to teach them that there are careers. That’s why I try to give back.”

Over the years at the city of Milwaukee, Dziewiontkoski has worked on numerous road projects throughout the city. She started out designing sewer systems, then moved on to working on streets and alleys.

Though she started out designing projects, she’s now working with aldermen and giving presentations to the city’s Public Works Committee. It’s a job that now requires as much persuasion as book work.

“Initially, you believe you’re going to be doing all this calculation,” she said. “Now, I’m working with aldermen and budgets. I get out my calculator to balance my checkbook.”

Outside work, Dziewiontkoski has lent her time to increasing the number of women in engineering. In recent years, she’s also volunteered to help interest girls in STEM careers, and judges science fairs at various Milwaukee high schools.

Dziewiontkoski has found working with students on their science projects particularly rewarding. It’s one way that she can help kids think about engineering as a good career.

“They’re so excited, even if they’re doing a project on which detergent removes stains the best,” Dziewiontkoski said. “Sometimes the topic wasn’t so exciting.”