Beacon News

Monica Xiao is a Project Engineer working from Beacon's Medford, MA office. She joined Beacon full time in the summer of 2025. Previously, Monica worked as an Engineering Co-op / Project Engineering Intern at Beacon starting in 2023 (as part of Northeastern University's Co-op Program). With this program, students work in their chosen field for 6-8 months as part of their formal education.

Monica's diligence, follow through, and attention to detail have made her a valuable member of our team. We caught up with Monica recently to learn more about her.

Question: Can you describe your main responsibilities at Beacon?
Monica: Since joining Beacon as a full-time Project Engineer this summer, I've mostly been working on project accounting, helping research and write expert reports, and assisting with delay claims. Previously, during my 8-month co-op period, I helped Beacon's Project Managers and Project Engineers on a variety of construction consulting tasks, such as:

• Assisting with Cost-To-Complete Analyses;
• Helping compile information and reports for clients such as Time & Materials (TM) verification, project status reports, presentations, and binders;
• Assisting with the Project Closeout Process.

Question: What’s your background or previous experience before joining us?
Monica: I graduated from Northeastern this past Spring with a major in Industrial Engineering and a minor in Business Administration. I did my first co-op at Beacon as an Engineering Co-op in 2023. I did my 2nd co-op at Insulet Corporation as a Project Management Co-op.

Question: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Monica: I enjoy learning more about the surety world and brushing up on project accounting. Also it's been nice reconnecting with everyone at Beacon after being away for almost 2 years.

Question: What’s a project or achievement here you’re most proud of?
Monica: Recently, I assisted on the development of an expert report. There were a lot of documents and information to review and understand. This was my first exposure to this type of project, so it was great for me to understand the project process and sharpen my report writing skills.

Question: Do you have a favorite workday snack or drink?
Monica: My go-to snack are the Trader Joes mini-cheese sandwich crackers. They are my current snack obsession for at work and at home.

Question: Coffee or tea?
Monica: I am a coffee person all the way. I usually have a couple cups of coffee a day, definitely in the morning and one after lunch.

Question: Early bird or night owl?
Monica: I'm a night owl, perhaps from drinking coffee late.

Question: What do you like to do in your free time?
Monica: During my free time, I enjoy exploring Boston (and the Cambridge/Somerville area). I'm always trying out new restaurants and coffee shops.

Question: Do you have any hobbies, sports, or creative pursuits you enjoy doing?
Monica: I played on the Varsity Tennis team in high school. I kept playing sometimes while in college. When the weather is nice, I like to go to the courts and play with my friends.

Question: If you had to sum yourself up in three words, what would they be?
Monica: Curious, creative, motivated.

Question: If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?
Monica: Excel all the way! It is helpful in any project and knowing how to do Excel using only the keyboard saves you time, especially on a larger sheet.