From Costume Maker to Construction Management 

Zoe Pielsticker is at CU Denver pursuing a second career – one in construction engineering and management. 

Her first career stemmed from her love of fine arts and design. She worked in New York City for seven years as a costume maker and project manager for Broadway, television shows and movies. Then her husband was diagnosed with cancer. 

The couple stayed in New York for three more years before returning home to Colorado to be close to family and continue his treatment.  

“After reflecting on my career, I made the decision to return to school in pursuit of greater financial stability,” she said. She enrolled at CU Denver in 2021 in part because it was close to home and provided a flexible schedule. These were essential because she continued to care for her husband as he battled cancer until he passed away in 2024.  

“It was the hardest point in my life,” she said. “The teachers here worked with me, around my husband’s medical needs, to facilitate my learning. Though my husband did not live to see the success of this career change, his strength and perseverance continue to inspire me every day as I work toward a more stable and fulfilling future.” 

The Denver native started on the civil engineering track in 2021 but switched to Construction Engineering and Management Technology (CEMT) because it better aligned with her strengths and interests. 

The Denver School for the Arts High School graduate has thrived in the College of Engineering, Design and Computing. She participated in many extracurricular opportunities related to engineering including the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) competition. Her team placed second in the 2024 competition. 

An internship she secured through a class and career fair last year also opened her eyes to the possibilities within construction engineering and management. She interned at a national construction company based in Denver. They build schools, fire stations, medical buildings, and private facilities locally and nationally. 

“My primary responsibilities included coordinating day-to-day activities on two simultaneous school renovation projects,” she said. “My tasks ranged from managing submittals and recording meeting minutes to conducting safety audits and weekly photo documentation. I was also in charge of leading certain team meetings, tracking progress for specific trades (such as HVAC and plumbing), and assisting with daily logs. This blend of responsibilities required strong organization, attention to detail, and consistent communication with various subcontractors and stakeholders.” 

Her advice to fellow students – “Don’t be intimidated. Although the field is often perceived as male-dominated, there are more women in construction engineering than most people realize, and they are thriving. With confidence in your abilities, a willingness to learn, and the drive to excel, you can build a fulfilling career and make valuable contributions to any project.” 

Pielsticker hopes to graduate in December 2025 and hopes to land a position as a project and field engineer. Her ultimate goal is to become a project manager.