Meet Julia!

The first of her family to attend University, Julia graduated from Michigan Technological University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Her initial interest in engineering was sparked by its emphasis on solving real world problems for every day people. Over the next few years, she spent her professional time specializing in water resource projects that include storm water, wastewater, and drinking water projects.

After being laid off during the pandemic, Julia took a less than ideal situation and transformed it into a positive opportunity by starting a small business called
Niche Home Supply which specialized in curating and selling vintage collections of clothing and home goods. She used this time to learn about website sales, social media marketing, and participating in in-person markets and sales. This business also allowed her to flex her humanitarian heart and kept hundreds of pounds of textiles and home goods from entering landfills.

Realizing she really enjoyed this entrepreneurial opportunity, she started to explore other career avenues that could allow her to use her creative and empathetic drive. By combining her special interests: Psychology, artistry, and working in digital spaces, along with her extensive technical knowledge in engineering, Julia experienced a lightbulb moment and decided her next goal was to break into the field of UX design.

In her free time, Julia loves learning and broadening her horizons. She has always been drawn to artistry and recently she opened up her own Etsy account, Julia Houle Designs, where she sells linocut block prints. Textiles and sewing have also been a long time passion of hers, and she is excited to participate in the Upcycled Fashion Show in Bellingham, WA during the Noisy Waters Mural Festival.