Rahim Moulanazada’s path from Modesto to major construction projects across California has been shaped by persistence, family and a deep appreciation for collaboration.
Moulanazada, 24, graduated from UC Merced in spring 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He now works as an assistant engineer for Turner Construction Company in Sacramento while pursuing a master’s degree at California State University, Sacramento.
He was accepted at UC Santa Cruz and UC Merced but chose Merced for its proximity and newness. He arrived intending to study computer science and engineering, but his academic trajectory shifted when the university launched its civil engineering program in 2021.
The transition, he said, was made possible by close relationships with faculty and a campus culture built around student support.
“It was an amazing experience,” Moulanazada said. “Getting assistance from my professors was a major thing for me. I was also pushing hard to graduate on time.”
He credits Assistant Teaching Professor Siddaiah Yarra and Teaching Professor Abbas Ghassemi with guiding him through the transition from one major to another, and helping him maintain academic success, particularly during his capstone project. Moulanazada and his team conducted a structural analysis of a multistory high-rise residential building in England that partially collapsed after a gas explosion. The team studied the building’s load path and proposed alternative structural supports that could help prevent similar failures in the future.
But his interest in civil engineering began long before college. Originally from Afghanistan, Moulanazada grew up watching his father work as a civil engineer, asking questions about materials, maps and equipment. Documentaries about bridges, dams and large-scale construction projects further fueled his curiosity.
“It is amazing to me what humans are capable of doing,” he said. “Looking at how much planning is needed for a project to be successfully executed, it’s fascinating.”
That fascination now plays out daily in his professional role. As an assistant engineer with Turner, Moulanazada oversees subcontractors — known as trade partners — and works closely with design teams and clients to coordinate complex construction efforts.
As a project engineer, he is managing the mechanical, plumbing, fire protection and food service subcontractors on the State Capitol Annex Building project in Sacramento. The project involves demolishing the old, out-of-code annex that once housed the governor’s office and rebuilding it as an eight-story structure with underground parking.
“Right now, we’re tracking toward the end of next year for completion,” he said.
Turner Construction has also built many of UC Merced’s campus facilities and is currently working on the Medical Education Building. Moulanazada is not part of that project team but has visited the site several times.
“When I was doing my bachelor’s, I heard about another project being built on our campus,” he said. “And now seeing this one coming into existence, it’s really awesome.”
Although he doesn’t visit UC Merced often, Moulanazada still has a favorite place on campus — a spot tied to both reflection and momentum.
“My first job interview with Turner was outside the Science and Engineering 2 Building over a Teams call,” he said. “It is a beautiful and relaxing spot with a view of the farms.”
Beyond technical knowledge, Moulanazada said UC Merced helped him develop essential professional skills.
“I learned teamwork and communication, time management and also being able to research things on my own before I asked for help,” he said.
Those skills were reinforced through his involvement with the Civil Engineering Student Association, now the American Society of Civil Engineers. As a student, Moulanazada served as vice president and helped organize events that connected students with industry professionals.
Today, he continues to give back. He serves on Turner’s recruitment team and acts as an adviser for UC Merced, returning to campus a couple times a year for career fairs and student organization events.
“It’slike seeing myself in them but from the other side of the table,” he said. “I love being able to give back in a positive way.”
Moulanazada’s journey has not been without obstacles. His family immigrated to the United States from Afghanistan in 2017, a transition that came with cultural, linguistic and professional challenges. His father could no longer work in civil engineering without additional certifications. Moulanazada balanced commuting, weekend work and academic demands to help support his family.
“Immigrating comes with a lot of challenges,” he said. “Being able to finish college while working weekends to help support my family, plus commuting — that wasn’t always easy.”
But, he said, the effort was worth it.
“It’s over now and I have my college degree and a job I really love,” he said.
When he walks onto a construction site today, he does so with the confidence of someone who knows exactly how he got there — and what it took to make it happen.
Outside of work, Moulanazada enjoys running, working out and playing soccer with friends.
He is the youngest of six, with five sisters, and grew up in a close-knit household.
“You basically have five more moms,” he said. “They teach you and don’t let you be a bad boy.”
Looking ahead, he remains open to opportunities in the Bay Area or Central Valley — possibly bringing him even closer to home.
His advice to current civil engineering students is simple and practical: Show up.
“Make connections and attend as many career fairs as you can,” he said. “Get involved with organizations. It’s a great way to network, work toward internships and potential jobs, and it’s also a great way to learn to communicate with a diverse group of people.”
