Megan M. Banks
Project Engineer
S.M. Wilson & Co.
Born: St. Louis, MO
High School:
McCluer North High School
College & Degree(s):
Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville
BS, Construction Management
Minor in Business Administration
Salvation Army Echelon
Young Professionals
Since you joined S.M. Wilson & Co. three years ago, you’ve worked on several high-profile developments in St. Louis. Tell us about your current project.
City Walk on Euclid, formally known as The Orion, is a mixed use seven story high rise building located in the City of St. Louis, The Central West End to be exact. It is such a dynamic and unique building. A portion of the first level is comprised of a Whole Foods Market. The edifice also features 177 apartment units, a seven story parking garage, a fitness room, club room, and a luxury roof top pool terrace for entertainment. The $75 million project took 24 months to complete. One of our great accomplishments was to be able to turn over a portion of the building 2 months early for residents to start moving in despite the emanate setbacks. The journey’s learning experience was forth coming and will always be one of the projects you look back on to say ‘I did that.’
What is your perspective on progress in MBE/WBE participation and workforce inclusion in the construction industry?
As a young construction professional, I’m seeking to learn and grow from senior level executives who have worked to address these issues over the years with much success. The design and construction industry still has much progress to gain in the area of diversity. Capacity building for small businesses remains a key element to achieving success in the area of MBE/WBE development. Workforce is a subject that we must continue to address in the primary and secondary education markets, teaching young people about our industry and helping them enter through proper training and on-boarding practices.
How did you become interested in pursuing a career in engineering? Did you have a mentor or join an organization that offered guidance?
Due to a great tragedy in my personal life, I lost my way after high school. Overcoming depression, it took me years to get on my feet and to decide that I needed to do more with my life and take control of my future. However, I was at a loss on my next step. Two things I had no doubt about, I loved working with my hands and I was good at math. I stumbled across the Construction Management Degree Program at SIUE. At the time, I had no idea what I was getting into, but it paved the way for my success. There were so many challenges, but the SIUE staff/professors in the construction management program did everything in their power to help me thrive. I graduated when I was 25 and have not looked back, I hit the ground running.
You serve as a mentor to students interested in engineering. What are some of the key messages you try to share with them?
You can overcome any obstacle and achieve everything you put your mind to, especially as a young engineering student. When you want something bad enough, you fight for it. You don’t stop until you have achieved it. There will be T’s to cross and I’s to dot, there will be impediments that may seem unattainable, not everyone will be on your side or consistently support you. But “The race is not given to the swift or to the strong, but to the one that endures until the end.” You can make it. Greatness lies within each of us.
