Lindsey’s career calling came early on
Editor’s Note: Where are they now? is a regular feature that will catch up with Franklin County natives who may be pursuing opportunites outside of the area.
Franklin County native Will Lindsey made his career decision in the 11th grade and did something that not many people do – he stuck with his first decision.
Instead of laboring away during his first few years of college trying to decide what he wanted to do for the rest of his life, Lindsey relied on simple reasoning to come to the decision that he wanted to be an engineer.
“Choosing this particular career path just kind of came naturally for me,” Lindsey said. “I enjoy math and I like problem solving, which are key components to being an engineer.”
After graduating from Russellville High School in 2004, Lindsey went to Northwest-Shoals Community College to work on his basic courses before transferring to the University of Alabama at Huntsville where he went on to receive his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
Lindsey now works at Hodnett-Hurst Engineers, Inc. in Huntsville as a structural engineer
“After some work experience in the field of civil engineering during college, I decided I wanted to specialize in structures,” Lindsey said. “Being a structural engineer basically means that I design building structures to meet certain aesthetic requirements and also design them to keep the building’s occupants safe during severe or extreme weather.
“Specifically with my job, I handle all the design. I also observe construction…meaning I would help contractors with any questions they may have and any unseen conditions they may encounter during the construction of the building.
Lindsey said his job description sounds very complex and might seem arduous to some people, but he really enjoys what he does and is happy with the career he has chosen.
With my job, I have the opportunity to interact with other design professionals and the opportunity to be involved during the construction process,” he said. “I also enjoy creating something that I can drive by and say, ‘I designed that.’ I like knowing I helped create something you can see and touch – something people will use.”
By day, Lindsey is a structural engineer, but when he’s not at work, he spends most of his time helping his wife, Erin, with her successful photography business, Erin Lindsey Images.
“Erin really loved photography and she took pictures for people’s events even before we were married,” Lindsey said. “After we were married she had the opportunity to go full time with the business and I help her with whatever she needs help with.”
Working with a spouse might not seem like an ideal situation to some people, but Lindsey said he enjoys every minute.
“By helping Erin with the photo shoots, we get a lot of opportunities to just be together, but it’s also a lot of fun,” he said. “We basically get to go to the parties that most women spend their entire lives planning. The events are fun, happy, loving, exciting and always spontaneous so there is rarely a dull moment. We have also made some of our best friends through shooting their weddings.”
Lindsey and his wife stay tied up most weekends with their busy photography schedule, but they still find time to visit his hometown of Russellville to see most of his family including his parents, Randy and Paula Lindsey, and his grandparents, William and Demaris Jones. If they’re lucky, their schedule will coordinate with his brother- and sister-in law, Adam and Mallory Lindsey, who live next door to them in Huntsville, and the whole family will be together.
“I love my job and the life we have in Huntsville, but it’s nice to get home from time to time to catch up with my family and friends,” he said.
