The Engineering Career Coach Podcast: Recent Episodes
Anthony Fasano, PE and Jeff Perry, MBA
The Engineering Career Coach (TECC) Podcast provides career advice to engineers of all ages and experience levels. Our host for the show, Anthony Fasano, PE and Jeff Perry, MBA interviews engineers ranging from recent engineering graduates to professionals from top engineering organizations on different engineering career goals and challenges. Each show includes a live coaching session with an engineer on real career challenges, and an engineer career-changing tip. Topics covered include but are not limited to job search, goal setting, finding a mentor, communication skills, public speaking, networking, organizational skills, productivity, leadership and more.
Client expectations engineering are evolving rapidly, requiring firms to focus on responsiveness, trust, and proactive problem anticipation. This episode explores how engineering teams can adapt to deliver enhanced client experiences and develop future leaders. Gain practical insights for improving project value and relationships.
The post Evolving Client Expectations and Leadership in Engineering – Ep 377 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Engineering leadership skills are essential for advancing in complex technical roles that require both technical expertise and strong client relationships. This episode explores how building trust and human connections enhances career growth and project success. Listeners will gain practical advice to develop these vital leadership capabilities in evolving engineering environments.
The post Building Engineering Leadership Through Relationship Skills – Ep 376 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Technical leadership skills are essential for managing diverse teams and complex projects in today's engineering environment. This episode explores practical strategies to enhance emotional intelligence, build trust, and foster collaboration among technical professionals. Listeners will gain insights into developing effective leadership abilities that drive project success.
The post Developing Emotional Intelligence for Technical Leadership – Ep 375 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
AI learning development is rapidly transforming training programs for technical professionals through adaptive, personalized, and efficient approaches. This episode examines how AI tools enhance skills intelligence, real-time gap analysis, and secure use in organizational learning. Listeners will gain insights into ethical frameworks and practical applications of AI in professional development.
The post AI in Learning and Development Strategies – Ep 374 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Confidence in leadership is critical for AEC firms to build trust and maintain employee engagement across all levels. This episode explores the factors influencing confidence in leadership and offers insights on how to close the engagement gap within organizations. Listeners will learn actionable strategies to enhance leadership transparency, AI readiness, and investment in people.
The post Building Confidence in AEC Firm Leadership – Ep 373 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Leadership development strategies are essential for enhancing leader effectiveness and organizational success in the AEC industry. This episode explores practical approaches to building leadership capability and driving lasting impact. Listeners will learn how to develop leaders who inspire discretionary effort and foster autonomy in their teams.
The post Effective Leadership Development Strategies – Ep 372 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Leadership development is essential in technical organizations to build strong, agile teams and foster a positive culture. This episode explores how leaders can effectively manage diverse teams, nurture talent, and balance technical expertise with business growth. Practical strategies for transitioning from technical roles to regional leadership are also discussed.
The post Leadership Development in Technical Organizations – Ep 371 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Technical leadership strategies are essential for effectively managing diverse teams and balancing competing demands in complex organizations. This episode explores practical approaches for communication, time management, and delegation tailored to technical professionals. Listeners will gain actionable insights to enhance their leadership capabilities.
The post Effective Technical Leadership Strategies – Ep 370 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
High performance leadership requires effective strategies to manage large teams and deliver complex projects efficiently in the AEC environment. This episode explores proven methods to build strong teams, improve communication, and sustain success under intense pressures. Listeners will learn how leaders can foster collaboration and prevent burnout in high-stakes settings.
The post Sustaining High Performance Leadership in AEC – Ep 369 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Urban mixed-use leadership requires aligning diverse stakeholders, community interests, and funding to deliver transformative development projects. This episode delves into the complexities of managing large-scale urban developments and the essential communication skills needed by technical professionals. Listeners will gain insights on combining strategic leadership with public engagement to achieve lasting urban impact.
The post Leadership Challenges in Urban Mixed-Use Projects – Ep 368 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
AEC leadership growth is crucial for building sustainable firms and advancing organizations effectively. This episode explores practical strategies for simplifying complexity, empowering teams, and scaling with agility. Listeners will gain insights into structuring their businesses and leading with clarity to foster long-term success.
The post Building Effective AEC Leadership and Growth Strategies – Ep 367 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Goal setting reflection is vital for AEC leaders to develop leadership skills, manage burnout, and improve organizational performance. This episode explores practical strategies to reflect on achievements and set aligned goals for career and personal growth. Listeners will learn how to adopt a reflective practice to foster resilience and sustained success.
The post Effective Reflection and Goal Setting for AEC Leaders – Ep 366 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Chaos leadership strategies are essential for AEC leaders aiming to transform uncertainty into opportunity. This episode outlines how leaders can manage internal chaos to improve decision-making and inspire innovation. Listeners will gain tools and insights to foster resilient, high-performing teams in challenging environments.
The post Turning Chaos into Leadership Advantage – Ep 365 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Leading high-performing professionals requires understanding executive function, stress impact, and sustainable leadership strategies. This episode explores how leaders can manage overwhelm and leverage strengths for clarity and impact. Listeners will gain insights into effective leadership without burnout in demanding environments.
The post Leading High-Performing Professionals Without Burnout – Ep 364 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Leadership strategies technical professionals must master include building strong teams, growing business, and managing performance effectively. This episode explores practical techniques leaders can apply to enhance their influence and impact. Discover how balancing challenge with support can accelerate team growth and success.
The post Leadership Strategies for Technical Professionals – Ep 363 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Daven Oswalt, Water Business Group Director at GFT, about essential AEC leadership skills. He shares invaluable insights from his three decades of experience leading complex water and infrastructure programs globally. Discover how to build high-performing teams, effectively communicate project value, and navigate constant change in the AEC industry to […]
The post Develop Strong AEC Leadership Skills for Impactful Projects – Ep 362 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Josee Tremblay P.Eng. ICD.D, Professional Engineer and Principal at Strategic Decisions Group, about inclusive leadership and its transformative power in the AEC industry. We explore how decision quality, cultural awareness, and human connection elevate team performance. Josée shares her unique journey from engineering to board advisory, offering actionable insights […]
The post Building Better Teams Through Inclusive Leadership In AEC – Ep 361 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Boris Martin, CEO of Engineers Without Borders USA, about purpose-driven engineering and how it’s transforming the future of leadership in the AEC industry. He explains how engineers at every career stage can grow their leadership skills, communication abilities, and personal fulfillment by pursuing projects with meaning. This inspiring conversation […]
The post How Purpose-Driven Engineering Builds Skills and Confidence – Ep 360 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Krystn Macomber, CP APMP Fellow, LEED AP, Founder and CEO of Summit Strategy, about AEC proposal strategies that help firms stand out and win more work. We explore evolving client expectations, persuasive storytelling, and shifting from compliance-driven responses to connection-driven communication. Learn how to make proposals skimmable, engaging, and […]
The post AEC Proposal Strategies to Win More Work – Ep 359 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Jason McDaid, BSc (Hons) PMSFPE MIEI MIFSM, Senior Fire Engineer at Ryan & Associates and Impostor Syndrome coach, about impostor syndrome and hidden cognitive strain and how it shapes performance, confidence, and culture in technical teams. We explore engineering leadership, impostor syndrome in technical fields, and how to overcome […]
The post Impostor Syndrome in Engineering Leadership and Workplace Culture – Ep 358 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Jay Wratten, PMP, US digital lead and global smart places lead at WSP in the U.S., about digital transformation in AEC and how it reshapes both client relationships and project delivery. We look at the shift to smart buildings, the rise of new pricing models, and the leadership lessons […]
The post Digital Transformation in AEC for Smart Buildings – Ep 357 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Ruth Milligan, founder and speech coach at Articulation Inc., about communication skills for technical leaders in AEC, and how small, intentional changes can transform the way professionals connect with clients, teams, and audiences. We explore leadership communication strategies, public speaking for engineers, and presentation skills for technical professionals that […]
The post Top Strategies to Improve Communication Skills for Technical Leaders in AEC – Ep 356 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Craig Shannon, vice president and California regional leader at Parametrix, about people-first engineering leadership and building strong teams. We discuss how employee-owned engineering firms, soft skills, and ASCE involvement shape AEC leadership strategies. We also explore how modern collaborative project delivery models are changing how engineers lead and deliver […]
The post Why People-First Engineering Leadership Drives Project Success – Ep 355 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Bryce Batts, co-founder of Career Collective, about AEC talent acquisition strategies that help firms build careers and cultures aligned with core values. We explore how organizations in the AEC industry can stand out in a competitive talent market, avoid common hiring missteps, and foster inclusive, future-ready workforces. Engineering Quotes: […]
The post AEC Talent Acquisition Strategies for Building Inclusive, Future-Ready Firms – Ep 354 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Omo Esemuede, PE, PMP, Senior Vice President of Aviation at WSP in the U.S., about leading complex infrastructure program leadership initiatives by aligning capabilities, guiding teams under pressure, and using global experience to elevate leadership. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Infrastructure Program Leadership: […]
The post Infrastructure Program Leadership: Best Practices for Stronger Teams – Ep 353 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode I talk to Michelle Gladieux President of Gladieux Consulting about courageous communication for leaders and how leaders can overcome barriers like hiding rationalizing or settling to build trust give better feedback and lead with impact especially in technical professions like engineering and construction. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points […]
The post Why Courageous Communication for Leaders Is Essential in AEC Teams – Ep 352 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Patrick Guide, MBA, PMP, Leadership Development Coach & Speaker at Maxwell Leadership, and soon to be Senior Marketing Manager at Dow, about how servant leadership for engineers, adaptability, and storytelling can transform technical experts into impactful leaders through engineering leadership development, and why leading with service builds trust, clarity, […]
The post Engineering Leadership Development That Builds Teams – Ep 351 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Susan Devine, community building division manager and principal consultant at Parametrix, about AEC leadership and mentorship, the principles that shape team success, how meaningful guidance fuels both project impact and personal growth, and why employee ownership creates a stronger, more invested team culture. ***The video version of this episode can […]
The post AEC Leadership and Mentorship That Empowers Teams to Thrive – Ep 350 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Scott Baryiewski, owner and president of South Shore Construction, about how to spot the warning signs that indicate the need for parking structure maintenance and what smart property managers and AEC leaders can do now to avoid costly repairs in the future. ***The video version of this episode can […]
The post Fundamentals of Parking Structure Maintenance You Need To Know – Ep 349 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Angelique Adams, Ph.D., MBA, Leadership Coach, and CEO of Angelique Adams Media Solutions, about how technical professionals can enhance their careers by strengthening their presentation skills for engineers. We explore strategies to gain buy-in for ideas, communicate complex concepts clearly, and transform technical presentations using seven powerful core elements. […]
The post Remarkable Presentation Skills for Engineers That Will Influence Decision Makers – Ep 348 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Daniel Tocchini, co-founder and senior partner at Take New Ground, about how conflict, when handled with intention, becomes a leader’s greatest tool and why avoiding tough conversations may be the biggest leadership mistake of all. This episode is a masterclass in effective leadership communication and how it shapes team […]
The post Effective Leadership Communication Tips to Overcome Conflict Better – Ep 347 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Ben Lamorte, Founder and President of OKRs.com, about what truly makes goal-setting frameworks like OKRs work and the biggest mistakes leaders make when setting goals. We also explore how AEC professionals can use structured goal setting for engineers through OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to create meaningful change and lasting […]
The post Goal Setting for Engineers: How to Use OKRs for Surprising Results – Ep 346 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Rebecca Swabey, P.Eng., CEO and Co-Founder of Equator Studios, and new co-host of this podcast, about building a tech startup in a traditionally risk-averse industry, and how AEC firms can embrace innovation, streamline workflows, and drive meaningful transformation through tech leadership. ***The video version of this episode can be […]
The post How Tech Leadership Offers Growth For Engineering Professionals – Ep 345 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Bill Spohn, P.E., president & CEO of TruTech Tools, LTD, about key design strategies and the critical role of energy efficient HVAC design in sustainable buildings, uncovering smarter choices that drive sustainability without compromising performance. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some […]
The post Energy Efficient HVAC Design That Will Transform Building Performance – Ep 344 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I speak with Peter C. Atherton, P.E., president and founder of ActionsProve, LLC, about effective strategies for navigating leadership challenges, retaining top talent, and driving strategic growth in AEC. We also delve into his book “Next-Level Leadership: How to Build and Leverage Your Essential Team Success Ecosystem.” ***The video version of this […]
The post How to Ensure Sustainable Strategic Growth in AEC Teams – Ep 343 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Jim Carlough, professional speaker, author of “The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership: A Roadmap To Success,” and chief sales officer at mPulse, about the transformative strategies from his book and how AEC leaders can apply these principles to inspire their teams and successfully navigate the complexities of a rapidly […]
The post Eye-Opening Fundamentals of Effective Leadership in AEC You Need to Know – Ep 342 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Anne Meixner, PhD, principal owner at The Engineers’ Daughter LLC, about effective leadership strategies in engineering that enhance collaboration, empower engineers, and cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous learning. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed […]
The post The Most Powerful and Effective Leadership Strategies in Engineering – Ep 341 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Stacie Alexiou, CEO and Managing Director of WATT + FLUX, a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Six Sigma Master Black Belt, about how she uses a reverse engineer method to integrate decarbonization and energy-saving strategies into AEC operations. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes: […]
The post Unlock Sensational Growth With the Reverse Engineer Method in AEC – Ep 340 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Lisa Nourse, talent acquisition manager at Stanley Consultants, about the evolving engineering recruitment landscape, the challenges AEC firms are navigating in recruitment, and practical strategies engineers can leverage to excel and build successful careers. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Gain a […]
The post How to Gain a Competitive Edge in the Engineering Recruitment Landscape – Ep 339 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I speak with Marsha Anderson Bomar, Ph.D., AICP, F.ASCE, H.ITE, ENV SP, a strategic transportation advisor at GHD, about the key forces shaping the future of infrastructure. We explore the most pressing challenges and uncover the exciting opportunities that lie ahead in this rapidly evolving field. ***The video version of this episode […]
The post Innovative Solutions and Key Challenges Shaping the Future of Infrastructure – Ep 338 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Yasmina Khelifi, PMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-PBA, and Mayte Mata Sivera, PMP, about how volunteering can transform your leadership skills. Learn how these experiences unlock personal growth, strengthen your network, and open doors to exciting career opportunities. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes: Here Are […]
The post How to Empower Your Leadership Skills Through Volunteering – Ep 337 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Chad Smeltzer, vice president of technology at Maze of Life Resource Center, about how technology is revolutionizing mental health support in construction and driving the urgent digital transformation needed in the AEC sector. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the […]
The post How Technology Is Changing Mental Health Support in AEC – Ep 336 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Dalmo Cirne, senior manager of machine learning engineering at Workday, about the concept of “management streams” and why it’s vital for effective leadership and organizational success in the AEC industry. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed […]
The post How to Implement Management Streams in AEC Leadership – Ep 334 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Dawn Wagenaar, principal and brand strategist at Ingenuity Marketing Group, about how building a strong personal brand can boost your career and open doors to success, whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes: Here Are […]
The post How to Leverage Your Personal Brand for Business Success – Ep 334 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Dagna Bieda, coach, author, and speaker, about how AEC professionals can refactor their mindset to boost productivity, overcome imposter syndrome and burnout, and unlock their full potential with actionable insights from her book, “Brain Refactor.” Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Refactor […]
The post How to Refactor Your Mindset for Better Performance – Ep 333 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Madi McIntyre-Holmes, SHRM-CP, HR coordinator at Menard USA, about how AEC leaders in fast-paced industries can navigate difficult conversations, strengthen their teams, and balance policies with empathy for better leadership and team growth. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of […]
The post How to Navigate Difficult Conversations as an AEC Leader appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Eddie Chiarelli, vice president at New York Concrete Corp. & Strata Industries Corp, about tackling mega-projects like the Gateway Tunnel. Discover how innovative strategies, strong teamwork, and a focus on how sustainability can help overcome the challenges of mega-engineering projects.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Asked Eddie: As a key member of the NYCC team working on Phase 3 of the Gateway Tunnel project, which has been compared to major feats like the Hoover Dam and Golden Gate Bridge, what makes this phase both challenging and exciting? How do you plan to speed up the schedule of the Gateway Tunnel project, and what innovative geotechnical solutions will your team use to accomplish this? What unique challenges do you encounter when working on large-scale construction projects in a crowded city like New York? What are the key factors that lead to the successful completion of a high-rise building project? As sustainability becomes increasingly important in construction, how do you incorporate sustainable practices into your projects? How important are teamwork and communication among stakeholders, especially geotechnical engineers, in your large construction projects? What final piece of advice can you share with geotechnical engineers to help them succeed and make a positive impact in their careers?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Overcome Challenges in Mega-Engineering Projects: The Gateway Tunnel project is a significant engineering challenge due to its location in New York City, involving numerous stakeholders and complex technical conditions. The excavation through soft clays and hard rock, combined with the task of supporting an active elevated park, adds layers of complexity, making this phase both difficult and exciting. To expedite the schedule of the Gateway Tunnel project, the steel beams were replaced with concrete to reduce lead times and switched to larger diameter secant piles to minimize the number of piles required. These innovations, along with other time-saving strategies, helped streamline the project and cut costs effectively. In large-scale construction projects in New York, one of the biggest challenges is securing agency approvals, managing relationships with neighbors, and navigating the city’s traffic logistics. Successfully handling these factors is crucial to keeping the project on track and avoiding costly delays. Key factors for the successful completion of high-rise building projects include effective planning, solid communication among all stakeholders, and a clear understanding of the technical challenges. Additionally, addressing site-specific constraints such as traffic and neighboring structures is essential to keeping the project moving smoothly. Engineers can reduce environmental impact by recycling concrete and steel, reusing excavated soil, and using low-emission or electric equipment. Investing in new technologies and sourcing materials locally also boosts project efficiency and supports sustainability. Embracing these practices leads to more responsible engineering overall. Teamwork and communication are crucial in large construction projects. Good collaboration leads to faster schedules, fewer errors, and higher morale, while poor communication can result in delays, increased costs, and lower project success rates. Having a well-connected team ensures the project runs smoothly and efficiently. Geotechnical engineers should gain hands-on field experience, as it helps in understanding how projects are built and enhances problem-solving skills. Continually learning new techniques, questioning traditional methods, and thinking critically will help you pivot and add value throughout your career.More Details in This EpisodeAbout Eddie ChiarelliEddie Chiarelli is dedicated to finding ways to build big buildings that fill the NYC skyline.
In this episode, I talk with Sairan Aqrawi, M.Sc., design coordinator team lead at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), about how women in their 40s and beyond can reignite their leadership potential in engineering, embrace new technologies, build confidence, and unlock the growth needed to thrive and make a lasting impact in their careers.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Sairan: How can women in their 40s and beyond rediscover their leadership potential and thrive in technical fields like engineering, especially when they are passionate about leadership development? What unique challenges have you faced as a woman engineer in your 40s, and how have you managed to overcome them? How has your perspective on career growth and success changed as you've reached the midlife stage of your career? How can women engineers see midlife as an opportunity for growth and rediscovery, both personally and professionally? What strategies do you use to help women in midlife rediscover their passions and successfully start side businesses? How do you balance the technical demands of your engineering career with your role as a business coach helping women find their niche? How does effective communication help midlife women rediscover their strengths and thrive in both their careers and personal lives, based on your experience? What is your final piece of advice for women over 40 who want to pivot or take on new challenges in their engineering careers?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Women in Their 40s Can Reignite Their Engineering Careers: Women in their 40s and beyond need to embrace change and continuously develop new skills, especially in rapidly evolving fields like engineering. Staying adaptable and open to learning, including emerging technologies like AI, is essential for thriving in both personal and professional growth. In male-dominated fields like engineering, women often face skepticism about their skills, regardless of their qualifications. To overcome this, it's crucial to be well-prepared and backed by facts and data, which builds confidence and commands respect in professional settings. As women progress through midlife in their careers, many begin to seek more than just financial success, focusing instead on leaving a meaningful impact. Career growth becomes about fulfilling a deeper purpose, using their skills to contribute positively to their communities and inspire the next generation. Women in their midlife can reframe this stage as an opportunity for growth and innovation, rather than focusing on challenges like an "empty nest" or a "midlife crisis." By embracing this period as a time for new ventures, such as starting a business, they can channel their experience and wisdom into fulfilling personal and professional achievements. Women often underestimate the power of owning their space and voice in professional settings. By confidently taking a seat at the table and valuing their own contributions, they encourage others to take them seriously and recognize their worth. When starting a side business, clarity is crucial for success. Women in midlife need to focus on what they truly want, setting clear priorities and realistic goals, which serves as the foundation for building their business step by step. Achieving success in both career and business requires focus and commitment rather than trying to balance everything at once. By dedicating full attention to each task, women can excel in their professional work and side ventures without compromising quality. Effective communication plays a critical role in helping midlife women rediscover their strengths and thrive in both their careers and personal lives. By being attentive listeners and promoting open dialogue, they can build stronger relationships,
In this episode, I talk with Collin George, MBA and Luke Carter, Partners at Talent Matters LLC & Managing Partners at Harrison Assessments International, about how the AEC PM Behaviors Assessment, based on the Harrison Assessment, helps AEC project managers identify key strengths, boost performance, customize training programs, improve leadership skills, and support both personal and organizational growth.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Collin and Luke: EMI and Talent Matters teamed up to create the AEC PM Behaviors Assessment using the Harrison Assessment—can you explain what the Harrison Assessment is, its primary purpose, and how it stands out from other assessment tools? Now that we understand the Harrison Assessment, could you explain how our companies worked together to customize it for AEC project managers, and how it measures key competencies, strengths, and areas for improvement essential for effective project management? Can you explain how this assessment tool benefits both firms and individual project managers, and what makes it valuable to each? Could you explain how this tool offers project managers a personalized performance evaluation that can be used for their training and development? How does the Harrison Assessment help support long-term career development for project managers, beyond just improving their immediate performance? What final piece of advice would you give project managers to help them improve their leadership and project management skills?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode The Unique AEC PM Behaviors Assessment: The AEC PM Behaviors Assessment is a behavioral-specific tool designed to assess job-specific behaviors rather than general traits, making it highly relevant to the specific role of project managers. Its primary purpose is to provide tailored insights that help individuals and organizations improve performance and job satisfaction by focusing on behaviors that directly impact the role they perform. EMI and Talent Matters collaborated to customize the Harrison Assessment for AEC project managers by focusing on identifying their strengths and potential behavioral imbalances. This customization allowed the tool to measure key competencies such as decision-making, persistence, and problem-solving, providing insights into areas that need improvement and helping project managers become more effective in executing projects. The AEC PM Behaviors Assessment benefits firms by identifying collective strengths and gaps in their project management teams, allowing them to implement targeted training and development strategies. For individual project managers, it provides a clear understanding of their strengths and areas for improvement, enabling them to enhance their performance, reduce stress, and increase engagement in their work. The AEC PM Behaviors Assessment provides a personalized performance evaluation by focusing on specific behaviors that influence a project manager's effectiveness. It identifies both strengths and blind spots, giving managers a clear roadmap for targeted development that can be integrated into their training programs to improve performance and leadership skills. Beyond immediate performance improvements, the assessment supports long-term career development by providing ongoing, actionable insights into a project manager’s behavior. Its ability to be revisited over time allows project managers to track their growth, refine their skills, and align their career goals with the needs of their organization, leading to sustained professional development. Project managers should focus on understanding their own behaviors and how they impact their ability to manage projects. By leveraging tools like the Harrison Assessment, which provides tailored insights into specific behaviors,
In this episode, we speak with Tsandi Chen, EIT, structural engineer at HDR, about the value of in-person work, building better connections, leveraging LinkedIn to engage with senior engineers, and balancing technical details with big-picture thinking through smart questions.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Asked Tsandi: What was your experience like working in an office as a new professional, and do you think it's essential for engineers to get office experience right after finishing school? How have you built relationships across different disciplines throughout your career, and what advice would you give young engineers to develop strong interdisciplinary connections? What strategies have you used on platforms like LinkedIn to successfully connect with senior engineers and industry leaders, and how did these interactions help you grow? How has your ability to ask insightful questions evolved over your career, and why do you think this skill is crucial for early-career engineers? What methods did you use to stay accountable early in your career, and what tips would you share with others in their early 20’s? How do you balance focusing on the details of structural design while maintaining a broader understanding of the industry, including both big-picture and finer aspects of your work? How do you determine which experiences are valuable for your growth, and how have you shaped your purpose in the field of structural engineering? What is the most important piece of advice you would offer to those just starting their engineering careers?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Build Better Connections in Your Early Engineering Career: In-person work is valuable for early-career engineers, as it allows for faster learning through quick access to senior staff for feedback and improves communication skills. It also helps engineers adapt to company culture more easily, encouraging growth and stronger connections. Building relationships across disciplines is key for engineers, especially when working closely with architects and other professionals. Attending industry events and engaging with professionals outside of the office can provide valuable insights into different perspectives, helping engineers understand trends, challenges, and how to communicate more effectively across fields. Cold contacting professionals, especially senior engineers, can feel intimidating, but many are more generous with their time than expected. Persistence and showing genuine interest by asking thoughtful, specific questions can lead to valuable learning opportunities and help build strong connections in the industry. Asking smart questions starts with being clear about what you know and what you don't, which helps project managers provide the right guidance and enhances overall communication. This approach not only improves understanding but also demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn, which is crucial for growth in any discipline. Holding yourself accountable early in your career is key to long-term success, and finding an accountability partner can help keep you on track with your goals. It's important to balance all areas of life, work, health, and personal relationships, since they all influence your overall performance and growth. Balancing detailed structural design with a broader industry perspective helps engineers become more well-rounded and effective team members. By thinking about the bigger picture and how different disciplines and trends affect a project, engineers can contribute to better collaboration and more informed decision-making, benefiting both the project and the community it serves. Finding your "why" in structural engineering starts with identifying what interests you and exploring different paths, even if it means adjusting along the way.
In this episode, I chat with Jacqueline Dirmann, P.E., CME, CFM, client manager at T&M Associates, about how better communication strategies can elevate your projects and career, from engaging stakeholders to keeping the public informed during capital improvement projects.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Jacqueline: How do you approach communication with different project stakeholders, especially in municipalities where community involvement is key, given your experience as both a consulting and municipal engineer? How do you keep the public informed and engaged throughout the entire lifecycle of capital improvement projects? In your experience, how important is it to involve contractors early in communication with residents and stakeholders, and how does this affect the success of a project? How do you balance technical requirements with the concerns of local communities when addressing compliance issues related to zoning regulations and stormwater management? Can you share your approach to securing and managing grant funding for infrastructure projects, and how it affects the overall success of a project? Can you share an example of when proactive communication with residents helped prevent or reduce challenges during an infrastructure project? How do you adjust your communication strategies when working with different stakeholders like planning boards, zoning boards, and redevelopment agencies? Can you share some best practices for engineers looking to improve their community engagement skills when holding neighborhood meetings with local residents? What final advice would you give civil engineers wanting to improve their communication skills, especially when working on projects that greatly affect communities?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Enhance Projects With Better Communication: Involving the right stakeholders early in a project is crucial to understanding their needs and expectations. Clear, concise communication without technical jargon helps ensure that all participants, including non-technical ones, can follow along and make informed decisions as the project progresses. Since residents often see projects as disruptions rather than improvements, it’s essential to approach the situation from their perspective. By clearly communicating throughout the process and addressing their concerns, engineers can minimize frustration and maintain public engagement. Involving contractors early in the communication process is vital to project success, as it ensures residents' concerns are addressed by those managing the site. Contractors, being visible on-site, can answer specific questions and help mitigate potential issues before they escalate. When explaining complex technical requirements, it’s essential to break things down in simple, non-technical terms. By using relatable analogies, like comparing stormwater detention systems to a bathtub, residents can better understand the reasoning behind technical decisions, leading to greater acceptance and cooperation. It’s crucial to follow the specific rules and requirements set by grant agencies. Establishing a reputation for effectively managing grants ensures future funding opportunities, as agencies are more likely to allocate resources to those who consistently meet their criteria. Involving residents early in project discussions can uncover insights that might not be apparent in technical plans alone. Listening to their local knowledge and adjusting designs accordingly leads to more effective solutions and helps build trust with the community, reducing challenges later in the project. Each stakeholder has different concerns and priorities, so it’s important to understand their specific needs. Building trust by showing a clear understanding of both the project and the local community help...
In this episode, I explore how clear values, meaningful work, and guiding others lead to personal and team growth. I also highlight the importance of understanding your team’s goals to build a motivated and energized workforce. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points […]
The post Skyrocket Your Team With Clear Values and Career Goals appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Tina Heath, P.E., LEED-AP, senior technical client manager at T&M Associates, about the challenges and triumphs of shifting from an engineer to leader. We dive into key strategies for navigating this transition, including how to move from controlling tasks to supporting and understanding your team. ***The video version of […]
The post How to Shift From Engineer to Leader Successfully appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with John Thornley, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE, vice president and senior geotechnical engineer at WSP in Anchorage, Alaska, about working in cold regions, studying permafrost and seismic activities, and the value of international collaboration in geotechnical engineering.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask John: Can you describe the unique challenges engineers face when working in cold regions like Alaska? What critical effects of climate change have you observed, and how can engineers better prepare for these challenges? What is involved in assessing liquefaction hazards as the permafrost thaws, and what are the potential risks to infrastructure? Has climate change caused permafrost to thaw, requiring it to be considered in every project? What is the most important lesson you've learned from projects in Alaska where you had to relocate communities? As chair of the Municipality of Anchorage Geotechnical Advisory Commission, what initiatives are you currently promoting to mitigate geotechnical risk? How do you envision international collaboration benefiting geotechnical engineering, particularly in the study of permafrost and seismic activities? How do you balance your professional commitments with your hobbies like cycling and traveling, and do they benefit your work? What's your final piece of advice for engineers starting in geotechnical engineering?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Working in Cold Regions: Engineers in cold regions like Alaska deal with challenges like frost penetration and the effects of climate change on infrastructure, balancing long-term solutions with economic realities amid uncertain future conditions. Engineers see climate change causing increased water movement and thawing permafrost. To prepare, they should study the site's history and geomorphology, and focus on managing surface water. Assessing liquefaction hazards as permafrost thaws means studying how frozen sands and gravels, once stable, can become prone to liquefaction. This poses risks like unstable ground and heightened vulnerability to earthquakes, impacting infrastructure stability. Climate change has caused permafrost thaw, making it essential to factor into every engineering project. Engineers must assess its effects on infrastructure stability and plan accordingly to ensure resilience against these changing conditions. From projects in Alaska involving community relocation, a crucial lesson is the need for meticulous planning and engineering. Selecting the right location and investing in resilient infrastructure upfront ensures long-term safety and sustainability amid climate challenges. John, as chair of the Municipality of Anchorage Geotechnical Advisory Commission, is promoting initiatives to reduce geotechnical risks by identifying high-risk building areas, enforcing strong building codes for earthquake safety, and pushing for consistent enforcement citywide. International collaboration in geotechnical engineering, particularly in permafrost and seismic studies, offers diverse insights and innovative solutions. By sharing research and practices globally, engineers can improve understanding and develop more resilient infrastructure designs capable of withstanding diverse climate challenges effectively. Balancing professional commitments with hobbies like cycling and traveling involves effective time management. Cycling provides solitude for reflection, which helps in problem-solving, while traveling to conferences enriches both professional growth and personal experiences, inspiring innovative approaches to geotechnical engineering challenges. For engineers starting in geotechnical engineering, active participation in professional organizations like ASCE or the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute is crucial.
In this episode, I talk with Kimberly Hardy, Esq., senior vice president for diversity, inclusion, and compliance at McKissack, about strategies to promote diversity and inclusion in engineering and construction. She shares her journey, challenges, and how regulatory changes impact diversity efforts.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Kimberly: How can strategies to promote diversity and inclusion be effectively incorporated into large-scale projects? What was the toughest obstacle you encountered while advocating for diversity and inclusion in male-dominated fields such as engineering and construction? Could you share a specific project where you effectively improved diversity and inclusion? Could you explain the acronym MWBE and what it stands for? How have changes in regulations or laws influenced your work in compliance and diversity throughout the years? What motivates you personally to advocate for diversity and inclusion within the technical and engineering fields? What improvements do you expect or want to see in diversity and inclusion in construction and engineering? What approach would you suggest for companies seeking to improve their diversity and inclusion initiatives? What advice would you give to both new and experienced engineers who aim to make a positive impact on diversity and inclusion in their workplace?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Best Strategies to Promote Diversity in Engineering: To integrate strategies to promote diversity and inclusion into major projects, leaders need to fully commit. This means providing equal opportunities for everyone, including LGBTQ business owners, and demonstrating how leadership can promote diversity and inclusivity. The toughest obstacle encountered when advocating for diversity and inclusion in male-dominated fields such as engineering and construction is often being engaged too late in projects to ensure adequate representation of women. In the JFK Terminal One project, McKissack significantly enhanced diversity and inclusion by implementing a strong program that awarded over $1 billion to minority and women-owned firms, benefiting people of color and women of color across different industries. MWBE stands for Minority- and/or Women-owned Business Enterprise, which is particularly relevant in fields like architecture and engineering, areas I know many in the audience are familiar with. Regulatory changes have had a big impact on how we handle compliance and diversity. There's concern that diversity programs might be scaled back, so it's important to advocate for opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses, especially in government projects. Kimberly's drive to promote diversity in tech and engineering comes from her wish to help people and firms secure their first contracts, particularly in NYC. Whether guiding business owners or connecting corporations with minority and women-owned contractors and engineers, she aims to create new networks for full participation and opportunity. Improvements in diversity and inclusion in construction and engineering mean fair distribution within MWBE programs to address past disparities. Building successful collaborations can help MWBEs like McKissack thrive, meet legal mandates, and foster enduring partnerships, especially in government projects. To improve diversity and inclusion, companies should utilize online resources like webinars and podcasts. These tools offer valuable information at one's convenience, particularly beneficial for small business owners with limited time. To impact diversity positively, engineers should stay competent by keeping up with licenses and technology. Networking through advocacy groups and attending events by firms can boost relationships and career growth.More Details in This Episode…
In this episode, I talk with Akshay Swaminathan, head of data science at Cerebral, about how data science and engineering teams work together to integrate customer perspectives. He also talks about the importance of stakeholder and clinician support, addressing valuable business problems, and ensuring users have the tech to maintain the models.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Akshay: How does collaboration between data science and engineering affect integrating customer perspectives into data projects? How do engineering practices ensure data solutions meet customer needs and preferences? How can engineers ensure their technical solutions are functional and resonate with customers? How does someone become a data scientist after college, and how do they progress in their career? How do you gather and use customer feedback to improve your data models and technical features? What advice would you give engineering project managers to make their data science projects more customer-centric?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Innovative Collaboration Strategies for Data Science and Engineering Teams: Collaboration between data science and engineering teams ensures that customer perspectives are integrated into data projects, making technical solutions more effective and impactful. This teamwork helps address challenges like stakeholder support and necessary infrastructure. Engineering practices, such as starting with a design document and maintaining clear communication, ensure data solutions meet customer needs and preferences. These practices help align projects with customer goals and prevent unnecessary or misguided efforts. Engineers can ensure their technical solutions are both functional and resonate with customers by involving them in every decision point of the project. This continuous engagement helps align the solutions with customer needs and preferences, ensuring effective and relevant outcomes. After college, one can become a data scientist by starting as a data analyst, working with databases and reports. One can then progress through roles like senior data analyst or data scientist by gaining experience and enhancing their technical skills. To improve data models and technical features using customer feedback, listen carefully and rephrase your input to ensure understanding. Focus on understanding their goals before diving into technical solutions, ensuring alignment with customer needs. To make data science projects more customer-centric, engineering project managers should create cross-functional teams comprising engineers, project managers, stakeholders, and potentially data scientists. This enables better collaboration and understanding of customer needs, resulting in more effective outcomes.More Details in This Episode…About Akshay SwaminathanAkshay Swaminathan is a data scientist who works on strengthening health systems. He has more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, and his work has been featured in the New York Times and STAT. Previously at Flatiron Health, he currently leads the data science team at Cerebral and is a Knight-Hennessy scholar at Stanford University School of Medicine.About the Host: Matthew DouglasMatthew currently serves as a content creator and host of The Engineering Project Management Podcast. A civil engineer by trade, Matthew has developed a passion for construction and stormwater management by way of maintenance and rehabilitation services. Matthew has also had experience working under private consulting firms and public agencies, and has even held a role as an educator. As such, he loves to lead, build, mentor, and help those in need.Most recently, during his time working for the public sector, he took on the role of Public Works Operations Manager. There he led quite a few public infrastructure rehabili...
In this episode, we talk with Bill Woodburn, founder and chairman of the board at Engineering Tomorrow, about the creation and impact of Engineering Tomorrow and the significant talent gaps in engineering education.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Bill: What made you decide to start your company, Engineering Tomorrow? Can you give a brief background on Engineering Tomorrow and what you do there? How can teachers become involved in your program? What significant gaps in engineering education do you encounter, and how is Engineering Tomorrow working to address them? How did your roles at GE and your experiences in other companies prepare you for designing and building Engineering Tomorrow? What are the main barriers to entering engineering today, and do you see your students overcoming them? What meaningful impact have you observed Engineering Tomorrow having on the students and teachers you work with? What are some of the most popular classes you offer? Can you elaborate on the impact Engineering Tomorrow is having, and how can someone interested in getting involved do so? Do you think having these classes in high school would have made it easier for us to choose a career in engineering? What advice do you have for new engineers starting their careers?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Powerful Ways to Address the Hidden Gaps in Engineering Education: The decision to start Engineering Tomorrow came from a desire to help underserved high school students by exposing them to engineering principles. By focusing on grades 9 to 11, the aim was to inspire more students to pursue engineering, providing them with a strong foundation in math and science. Engineering Tomorrow provides 22 hands-on labs in fields like aerospace and biomedical engineering for high school students. These labs make math and science exciting by connecting them to real-world applications, reaching hundreds of thousands of students online. Teachers can join the Engineering Tomorrow program by signing up on the website to receive free kits and lesson plans, with the program handling most logistics. This makes it easy for teachers to incorporate into their classrooms. High school students often lack exposure to real-world engineering applications of their math and science lessons. Engineering Tomorrow bridges this gap in engineering education by providing hands-on experiences that show students how subjects like physics, chemistry, and calculus are used to solve real engineering problems. Bill's roles at GE and experiences in other companies equipped him with strategic thinking, budget optimization skills, and team-building expertise. These experiences helped him organize and create effective teams, leading to the successful design and implementation of Engineering Tomorrow. Engineering faces barriers like limited exposure to different disciplines and a lack of resources or mentorship. Programs like Engineering Tomorrow offer hands-on experiences and mentorship, helping students overcome these hurdles and pursue engineering careers. Engineering Tomorrow has made a significant impact on both students and teachers, fostering increased engagement and enthusiasm for STEM subjects among students while providing teachers with a comprehensive curriculum and dynamic learning experiences. Some of the most popular classes offered by Engineering Tomorrow include electric car design, water reuse, space labs, and machine learning projects. These classes engage students in hands-on learning experiences that ignite curiosity and cultivate practical problem-solving skills in STEM education. Engineering Tomorrow has greatly increased the number of students applying to engineering schools, particularly among minorities. To get involved, individuals can reach out through the organization's website or...
In this episode, I talk with Clint Steele, RPEng (Mech), senior mechanical engineer at Cylite, about how engineers can develop the core skills for global engineering success and how different backgrounds affect engineering practice.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Clint: What inspired you to write your book "Global Engineering," and what message do you hope engineers will take from it? How can engineers ready themselves for promotions like project management and stay updated on the new role's requirements? How can you enhance your skills in problem framing, systemic thinking, and effective application of first principles? Do you think problem framing, systemic thinking, or applying first principles is more crucial, or does it vary by situation? What are the typical challenges engineers should consider when aspiring to become global engineers? Why is it crucial for individuals to take control of their development as they move from school to work, where learning may differ from expectations? Can you give an intriguing example of how someone's background affects how they practice engineering? What are some practical steps engineers can take to collaborate more effectively with teams from diverse backgrounds? What skills or mindsets do you believe are crucial for engineers aiming to work internationally? Is flexibility crucial for engineers, not just internationally, but also in dealing with diverse regulations and clients, allowing for professional growth? How do you envision artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning shaping the future of engineering, particularly on a global scale? Do engineers need to understand AI and machine learning fundamentals as these technologies shape the industry? What's your final advice for engineers aiming to expand their horizons and thrive in the global engineering arena?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Skills Engineers Need for Global Engineering Success: The inspiration for "Global Engineering" came from observing how engineers from diverse backgrounds collaborated in China. The message is that engineers can take control of their professional development by understanding and applying the principles of excellent engineering, regardless of their circumstances. Engineers can prepare for promotions by mastering problem framing, systemic thinking, and first principles. These skills help them adapt to new roles and stay current with their responsibilities. Enhance problem framing by questioning your initial views and considering alternatives. Improve systemic thinking by consulting diverse perspectives and apply first principles by using solid data to justify decisions. The importance of problem framing, systemic thinking, and applying first principles varies by situation. Engineers should assess each scenario individually to determine which approach is most effective. Typical challenges for engineers aiming to work globally include understanding universal principles, finding mentors, and embracing change. But with determination and available resources, they can overcome these obstacles and succeed on a global scale. Taking control of your development as you transition from school to work is crucial because the learning environment may not meet your expectations. By actively seeking resources and reflecting on experiences, you can adapt and grow effectively in your professional journey. Chinese engineers transitioning from a factory-like setting to a Western company environment showcased how organizational culture overrides cultural background in shaping engineering practices, highlighting the significant influence of workplace environment on engineers' approaches. To collaborate effectively with diverse teams, engineers should ensure everyone grasps the context and priorities.
In this episode, I talk with John Delia Jr, a distinguished real estate entrepreneur and construction innovator, about how technology is transforming urban development. We also explore innovative construction methods and share valuable advice for engineers who are interested in moving into the real estate industry.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask John: How will technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), shape the future of urban development and real estate? Are there any specific applications or technologies you find promising or impactful in your field? How do you incorporate technology into your construction processes to improve sustainability and efficiency? Do you have just one book, or have you written more than one? Is the average homebuyer more concerned with aspects of the process or the finished product than with what frames the structure? Even though it's not a consumer-driven market, how does your approach using cold form achieve lower costs and faster delivery times? Could you explain how you're advancing traditional construction methods with technology? Have you discussed your vision with industry veterans, and if so, what has been the consensus or feedback on your ideas? How do you see technology and AI evolving to create more inclusive and sustainable communities in the future? In your industry, how are delivery times speeding up, allowing engineers to focus on more valuable tasks? How can we navigate the industry's fragmented knowledge to ensure a brighter future, given the varying levels of innovation and awareness among firms? Do you have any final advice for engineers looking to transition into the real estate and construction sectors?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Leverage Technology to Skyrocket Urban Development: The integration of AI and technology in urban development and real estate will enhance productivity, spark creativity, and accelerate project timelines, transforming how cities are designed and built. This technological advancement allows for rapid prototyping and ideation, significantly pushing forward urban planning and development. AI-driven technologies like Welcome Home, OPO Plan, and TestFit are highly promising in urban development and real estate. These tools enable rapid prototyping, real-time visualization, and efficient feasibility analysis, significantly improving project planning and execution. Technology is incorporated into construction by blending new tools with traditional methods, improving sustainability and efficiency. Continuous research ensures thoughtful integration, balancing costs and evolving practices. John has authored two books. The first, "Life, Liberty, and Property," published in 2017, serves as a guide to successful real estate investment. The second book is a fiction story exploring the futuristic potential of Roeform steel technology in homebuilding. Homebuyers usually focus on the appearance and final result of a home rather than the construction method or framing. However, industry professionals should educate them about the benefits of advanced technologies for long-term performance and sustainability. Incorporating cold form technology into construction projects enables lower costs and faster delivery times. This innovation streamlines operations, reduces waste, and accelerates construction schedules, providing cost-effective and timely solutions for the market. John's team advances traditional construction methods with technology like steel framing and BIM. By transitioning to design-led approaches and using prefabrication, they reduce waste and speed up construction timelines while modernizing the industry. In discussions with industry veterans, two main perspectives emerge. Some prefer traditional methods,
In this episode, we talk with Jeffrey Rissman, senior director of the Industry Program at Energy Innovation Policy and Technology LLC, about using advanced tech to cut industry emissions, balancing climate action with industry changes, and the journey to a carbon-free industry.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Jeffrey: Could you briefly discuss some of the advanced technologies for reducing industry emissions that are featured in your book? How does your book, "Zero-Carbon Industry," deal with the complexity of manufacturing regulations while keeping firms competitive? How do you think countries can balance the urgency of climate action with the practical challenges of institutional transformation? What does the intersection of job creation and a zero-carbon industrial economy look like? What are some common misunderstandings people have about transitioning to a carbon-neutral industry? Which do you think is more crucial for achieving a zero-carbon industry: technological innovation or policy reform? How can engineers address concerns about the initial costs of transitioning to environmentally friendly industrial practices? What do you anticipate as the next significant advancement in industrial decarbonization? What final advice would you give to geotechnical firms just starting their journey toward zero emissions?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Ways Revolutionary Tech Is Driving a Carbon-Free Industry: The book, "Zero-Carbon Industry," dives into three sections: tackling big polluters like iron and steel, cement, and chemicals with tech fixes. It also covers wider solutions like energy efficiency and carbon capture, plus policy suggestions. Policy is essential for transitioning to clean energy, with tailored approaches like financial incentives for early-stage projects, green procurement driving technological deployment, and scaling up, facilitating a faster shift to sustainability. Climate action is urgent because greenhouse gas emissions are causing major damage and must be reduced. The industry sector is a major emitter, and new policies in Europe and the U.S. are driving the shift to cleaner production practices. Achieving zero-carbon industry requires investment in new technologies, production processes, and workers. Governments that invest in these areas can gain significant economic returns through job growth and technological leadership, securing future prosperity. Policymakers can promote clean production without being engineering experts by using effective, technology-neutral policies. Investing in clean technologies and workers boosts the economy, and measures like carbon border adjustments protect domestic industries from unfair competition. Policy is crucial for financing and speeding up the development of clean technologies to reduce emissions. Creating demand through green procurement, financial support, and carbon pricing helps turn scientific advances into practical solutions. Engineers can lower the cost of clean technologies like heat pumps and thermal batteries. Policies and funding can support these innovations by overcoming initial cost barriers and aiding commercial adoption. The journey to a zero-carbon industry involves both short-term and long-term measures. Key next steps include improving energy efficiency, enhancing material efficiency, and electrifying industrial heating, all of which can significantly reduce emissions and improve performance. Switching to cleaner materials in construction often adds only a tiny fraction to the overall cost of a building, which is usually negligible compared to other expenses. This small investment can offer significant environmental benefits and appeal to buyers who value sustainability without substantially affecting the final price.More Details in This Episode…
In this episode, I talk with Loren Rosario-Maldonado, PCC, an executive coach at Torch, CQ Fellow at the Cultural Intelligence Center, and Chief People Scientist at Cultura, Inc. We discuss how cultural intelligence can transform engineering teams, effective ways to improve organizational culture, and the importance of self-care for successful leadership.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Loren: Could you explain cultural intelligence and its importance in today's engineering fields? What's one effective strategy you've used to improve organizational culture? How do you incorporate self-care into your leadership training, and why do you think it's crucial for effective leadership? What practical steps can engineers take to navigate diversity and promote inclusivity in the workplace? Given the fast-paced changes in modern workplaces, what do you envision as the future of work, particularly within engineering disciplines? How can we motivate individuals and teams to embrace and utilize their diverse backgrounds and perspectives? What factors influence motivating diverse engineering teams across generations? What are some simple daily habits people can adopt to boost their cultural intelligence? What advice would you offer to women engineers aiming to progress in their careers and potentially assume leadership positions?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Cultivate Cultural Intelligence in Devoted Engineering Teams: Cultural intelligence is crucial in our diverse world, especially as technology connects us globally. Understanding and collaborating with people from different backgrounds enriches relationships and enhances communication. Crafting the employee value proposition is essential for understanding the employee experience from a human-centered perspective in organizational strategy. As a people scientist, leveraging insights into human behavior at home and work helps create value propositions benefiting both employees and organizations. Prioritizing self-care is crucial for sustained success, especially in leadership. Remembering MEADS, which includes activities like meditating, eating well, accepting the moment, developing movement, and ensuring sufficient sleep, offers a simple yet effective framework for maintaining balance and resilience. Leading effectively means ensuring everyone feels valued and nurturing an environment where authenticity thrives. Embracing self-awareness, humility, openness, curiosity, and empathy creates inclusive workplaces where individuals can contribute meaningfully and show up authentically. As disruption accelerates, the future of work relies on human skills for effective collaboration. Cultivating abilities like emotional intelligence and communication becomes crucial in navigating rapid change and industry shifts driven by technology. Encouraging open dialogue while respecting boundaries promotes authentic collaboration in the workplace. Sustainable change is driven by embracing diverse perspectives with empathy and focusing on human skills to achieve business results effectively. In diverse team environments, effective motivation often revolves around creating spaces where individuals feel truly understood. Simple strategies like regular check-ins and team sessions, focused on listening without judgment, can cultivate a sense of support and collaboration, ultimately driving team success. Exploring something new every day outside of one's comfort zone, such as trying different cuisines or engaging with neurodivergent individuals, promotes learning and broadens perspectives. These small, enjoyable challenges encourage personal growth and understanding of diverse experiences. Maintain curiosity and embrace continuous learning as essential practices for career development. Beyond certifications,
In this episode, I talk with Karen Ditz, PMP, commercial manager, and Phil Tunnah, P.E., operations director, from Stanley Consultants about the importance of consistent project delivery and adapting program management strategies to meet various client needs.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Karen and Philip: How important is it to maintain consistent project delivery practices, and what impact does this have on an organization's project success? How important is it to maintain consistent practices across all projects to ensure the team understands the scope, schedule, and budget? In consulting, how does program management help address client needs like growth, compliance, and infrastructure challenges? Are there any other client business drivers or program management challenges you'd like to discuss? How can project managers customize their approach to meet specific client needs while maintaining consistency, especially in larger projects with multiple stakeholders? How does empathy for clients' and stakeholders' challenges influence your approach as a project manager? What strategies do you use to connect with clients and build relationships early on in projects? What approaches to program management does Stanley use, and what program strategies promote operational and project delivery efficiencies? What final advice would you offer engineering professionals aiming to transition into project management?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Mastering The Skill Of Secure and Consistent Project Delivery: Maintaining consistent project delivery practices is vital for an organization's project success, as it ensures coordination, accountability, and informed decision-making across all teams. This consistency leads to smoother operations and better outcomes, regardless of the project's size. Consistent practices across all projects are crucial for ensuring that the team fully understands the scope, schedule, and budget. This approach streamlines operations, enhances communication, and ensures that projects are completed successfully and efficiently. In consulting, program management addresses growth, compliance, and infrastructure challenges by efficiently coordinating projects. This ensures aligned costs, schedules, and practices, leading to effective solutions. Projects within the portfolio are efficiently delivered within the program's framework, addressing any client business drivers and program management challenges. Project managers can tailor their approach by incorporating empathy and data-driven insights to understand and address specific client needs. Empathy for clients' and stakeholders' challenges drives the project manager's approach, emphasizing understanding and addressing their needs. This approach enhances communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement, contributing to successful project outcomes. Connecting with clients and building relationships early in projects involves prioritizing open communication and active stakeholder engagement. Stanley focuses on thorough planning and clear objectives from the start of projects, using strategies like "well begun is half done" and "start with the end in mind." They prioritize organizational alignment, process adaptation, and transparent systems to improve operational and project delivery efficiency. For engineers moving into project management, focus on flexibility, communication skills, and patience. Recognize team strengths, keep learning, and document rigorously for better problem-solving throughout projects.More Details in This Episode…About Karen Ditz, PMPKaren Ditz is a commercial manager at Stanley Consultants, where she excels in program management and project delivery. She brings a wealth of experience in developing processes and procedures for large-scale pr...
In this episode, we talk with Roberto Leon, P.E., Ph.D., professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech, about the aftermath of the Baltimore Bridge collapse, including what the future holds for its reconstruction and the broader implications for infrastructure resilience.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Roberto: Can you provide an overview of the Baltimore Bridge collapse, including its immediate impact on both infrastructure and the community? What are the full financial repercussions, both immediate and long-term, of a port shutdown caused by traffic congestion? Was the Baltimore Bridge collapse due to a design flaw or just a terrible accident? Can stronger bridge designs, exceeding recommended standards, prevent collisions even if they're not always implemented? Considering the bridge's code design standards, how old is the bridge and was it built to meet those standards? Did older bridge codes, like the one for the Baltimore Bridge, have a lower chance of withstanding a ship collision compared to today's standards? How do engineers balance the need for safety in structures like bridges with the cost of building them to withstand extremely rare events? Will the Baltimore Bridge collapse force the industry to rethink bridge designs for better collision protection? Why do we need engineers to explain the importance of safety features in bridges, since we naturally expect them to be safe anyway? Do cable-stayed bridges offer advantages in design flexibility or visual appeal that make them preferable for this replacement project? Given the need for a fast replacement, can building this bridge on an accelerated timeline be done safely and efficiently? With a fast-tracked timeline and potential hidden costs in the foundation, how can planners ensure this multi-billion-dollar bridge project stays on budget? If public awareness of bridge vulnerabilities led to increased funding, what additional protective measures could be implemented? With a four-year closure disrupting the community, how does this bridge rebuild timeline compare to similar past collapses? How will the community cope with the four-year bridge closure, affecting commutes, work access, and daily needs? How can engineers bridge the gap between technical expertise and public understanding? What advice would you give young engineers?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Revolutionary Aftermath of the Devastating Baltimore Bridge Collapse: The collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore, caused by a ship grounding, disrupted port access and communication channels, impacting local infrastructure and businesses and affecting the community's transportation and economy. A port shutdown due to traffic congestion can have immediate and long-term financial repercussions. In the short term, businesses incur losses from disrupted operations, while the long-term consequences may include shifts in shipping routes, leading to decreased port usage and a potential economic decline for the affected region. The Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore was caused by a collision with a fast-moving, fully loaded ship rather than a design flaw, which illustrates the challenge of balancing safety and cost in infrastructure planning. Stronger bridge designs that exceed standards can reduce damage from collisions, even if not always used. Engineers often recommend safety improvements, like those seen in the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The bridge is almost 50 years old and was built to meet the design standards of its time. Its through-truss design efficiently carried loads with minimal material, reflecting the engineering requirements and cost considerations of that era. Older bridge codes, like the one for the Baltimore Bridge, had a lower chance of withstanding a ship collision compared to today's...
In this episode, I talk with Michael O'Grady, P.E., chief growth officer at Terracon, about essential strategies to master change management effectively in 2024. To understand the importance of change in implementing successful strategies, this step-by-step guide will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate and succeed in times of transition.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Michael: Can you provide a quick overview of TerraCon, including their size and the services they offer? What process did you go through to decide to pursue an MBA, and how has it benefited your career? Did you speak to others who got an MBA to see how it helped them before making your decision? Is making a lateral career move a valuable steppingstone, based on your experience with it? What strategies have you found effective for navigating and leading change? Could you share a couple of things you've learned from navigating change that have helped you or others through similar situations? Is it crucial to have a clear plan and align it with broader goals from the beginning to maintain engagement and prevent disconnection from tasks?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Master the Art of Change Management: Terracon, founded in 1965 in Iowa, has grown into a firm offering geotechnical engineering, construction materials engineering, environmental services, and facilities engineering. Today, it has 6,000 employees across 170 U.S. locations and is entirely employee-owned. Michael pursued an MBA to gain broader business knowledge while working in strategic planning at Terracon. It improved his leadership skills by enhancing his understanding of strategy, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. Before deciding on pursuing an MBA, individuals often seek insights from others who have completed the program. Many find that approximately 70% of the knowledge gained during the MBA proves valuable in their careers. Taking a lateral career move can be beneficial. For instance, shifting roles within the company provides insights into driving cultural change, which can benefit various areas of business. To navigate and lead change well, engineers and scientists should embrace diverse experiences, which enhance their leadership skills. Managing diverse teams and tackling varied challenges as they progress in their careers will make them better leaders in both technical and business settings. Valuable lessons from navigating change include the significance of patience and taking a long-term view. Effective communication about the reasons for change and its benefits for individuals is essential for success in similar situations. Having a clear plan aligned with broader goals from the start is crucial to maintaining engagement and preventing disconnection from tasks. Breaking down long-term plans into smaller, achievable steps ensures progress remains manageable and keeps teams focused on the overarching objectives.More Details in This Episode…About Michael O'Grady, P.E.Michael O’Grady joined Terracon in 2000. He is the Chief Growth Officer, responsible for directing the strategic growth of the company. This includes expansion of market sectors served, diversification of services, and development of innovative tools and service offerings to drive future growth. He has been a member of the company’s executive operations committee since 2004 and its board of directors since 2013.During Michael’s more than 23 years with the company, he has served in multiple executive leadership roles and has been instrumental in helping to lead Terracon’s growth and overall strategy during this time, including leading multiple major company strategic initiatives. He joined the company as the national director of construction materials engineering and testing services,
In this episode, I talk with Bart Kemper, P.E., CPEng, RPEQ, principal engineer at Kemper Engineering Services, LLC, about the crucial role of a Responsible-in-Charge (RIC) in AEC projects, focusing on decision-making, accountability, effective delegation, team trust, and its impact on project success.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Bart: Is returning to basic engineering principles key to solving problems across different fields when overseeing multiple disciplines? Could you explain the concept of "Responsible-in-Charge" in engineering and why it's crucial? How does the "belly button to push" concept relate to decision-making and accountability in engineering projects? Could you provide more information about signing the Blameline and its impact on project outcomes? What's your approach to delegating tasks in engineering and which strategies balance control and trust effectively? How do you build trust among team members to encourage embracing failure, and why is it beneficial? How do engineering principles apply to different professions and why are they beneficial? What advice do you have for engineers to succeed in today's complex environment?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to be an Excellent Responsible-in-Charge: Returning to basic engineering principles is key to solving problems across different fields when overseeing multiple disciplines, as it provides a solid foundation for making informed decisions and coordinating with specialists. The "Responsible-in-Charge" in engineering is the person who oversees the project, ensuring everything is done safely and correctly. This role is crucial for accountability and effective coordination. The "belly button to push" concept in engineering projects means having one person responsible for a specific area, ensuring clear decision-making and accountability. This person is the go-to for resolving issues, streamlining communication, and maintaining project oversight. Signing the "Blameline" in engineering means taking full responsibility for project outcomes, driving careful decision-making, and impacting project success and quality. In engineering, task delegation involves assigning responsibilities to individuals who demonstrate passion and technical ability, irrespective of their seniority. This approach balances control and trust by empowering team members early on and supporting them through structured reviews, cultivating a culture of learning and growth. Building trust among team members involves leading by example, openly discussing mistakes, and supporting each other through challenges. This creates a culture where failure is seen as an opportunity to learn and grow, motivating team members to take risks and improve their skills. Engineering principles are relevant across professions like medicine, law, and military service, where accountability for critical tasks is essential. Embracing these principles promotes safer and more effective outcomes in diverse fields. Returning to basic physics principles learned in high school can often provide solutions to engineering problems, helping engineers approach challenges with clarity and avoid bias, ultimately leading to more accurate solutions.More Details in This Episode…About the Guest: Bart Kemper, P.E., CPEng, RPEQBart Kemper, P.E., is a Louisiana-based engineer with over 30 years of international engineering in a wide range of industries. He primarily works with equipment and equipment systems using his mechanical engineering degree from Louisiana State University as well as working in civil engineering through his training and education as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During the past decade, he has become increasingly active in the engineering use of machine learning and artificial intelligence.
In this episode, I talk about the evolving opportunities in remote geotechnical work, highlighting how job roles are increasingly offering the flexibility to work from home or in the field. I also discuss the tools and technologies that are facilitating this transition.The video version of the episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Utilize Technology for Remote Geotechnical Work: Engineers can now work remotely on geotechnical projects using advanced computational tools to simulate soil and rock behavior. This allows detailed data analysis and modeling from home or remote offices. Geotechnical project managers are mastering remote leadership, using digital tools to coordinate projects and ensure effective communication across locations. This keeps projects on track and within budget regardless of physical distance. Geotechnical consultants provide expert advice and designing remotely, reducing the need for frequent site visits. Virtual meetings are now standard, marking a new era in geotechnical engineering. Essential tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom facilitate seamless collaboration for remote geotechnical teams. Advanced geotechnical software, such as Plaxis, GeoStudio, and RocScience, enables engineers to perform complex tasks remotely, enhancing productivity. Cloud platforms are vital for remote geotechnical work, enabling access to data and computational resources for efficient project handling and problem-solving. Remote geotechnical work brings challenges like team cohesion and data security across time zones, but also offers opportunities for improved work-life balance, wider talent access, and reduced environmental impact. In this exploration of remote geotechnical engineering, the undeniable evolution shapes a future without physical boundaries, promoting flexibility, technology, and sustainability for a dynamic and inclusive field.More Details in This Episode…About the Host: Jared M. Green, P.E., BC.GE, F.ASCEJared, originally from southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduated from Syracuse University’s College of Engineering in 2001 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He later went on to attain his M.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Focus) from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Campaign, in 2002. In 2003, he began working in the New York City office of Langan. He has since become a Principal / Vice President and is one of the owners of this international land development engineering consulting firm. After 15 years at Langan, Jared moved to the Philadelphia office and is one of the geotechnical practice leaders in that office.Jared is a consultant and team leader who also enjoys mentoring young engineers and first-generation college students. He has been instrumental in increasing the number of pre-college students interested in STEAM majors and fields. He strives to make complex engineering topics relatable and understandable to people new to the field and to people who are completely unfamiliar with engineering. Jared and his family currently reside in Flemington, New Jersey. He and his wife have three energetic, inquisitive, and awesome children. You can connect with Jared here.Sources/References:SlackMicrosoft TeamsZoomPlaxisGeoStudioRocScienceThis Episode Is Brought to You by TensarTensar, a division of CMC, is a world-leading manufacturer and provider of ground stabilization and soil reinforcement solutions. Our innovative geogrid technology has benefited thousands of civil construction and engineering projects around the world for over 50 years. With our Tensar+ design software, you can design for higher performance and with greater confidence. Designers can export specifications that compare the benefits of Tensar geogrids with other soil stabilization methods. https://www.tensarplus.comPlease leave your comments or questions in the section below o...
In this episode, we talk with Robyn Clark, CEO of WinningWise, about succession planning, performance management, and leadership development in engineering. We explore their significance for organizations, focusing on aligning goals and enhancing employee satisfaction. Robyn also highlights the shift toward developmental performance management and its impact on engagement and retention. ***The video version of […]
The post TECC 329: Strategies for Successful Performance Management in Engineering appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Robyn Clark, CEO of WinningWise, about succession planning, performance management, and leadership development in engineering. We explore their significance for organizations, focusing on aligning goals and enhancing employee satisfaction. Robyn also highlights the shift toward developmental performance management and its impact on engagement and retention. ***The video version of […]
The post TECC 329: Strategies for Successful Performance Management in Engineering appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I speak with Pamela Ellis, MBA, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Compass Education Strategies, LLC, about how to choose right college for aspiring engineers. We cover admissions and scholarships, and she outlines key considerations including academic offerings, social fit, financial aspects, career objectives, and cultural environment. ***The video version of this episode […]
The post TECC 328: How to Choose the Right College for Aspiring Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Lane Kawaoka, P.E., founder and author of “The Wealth Elevator,” about effective financial strategies for engineers. We also explore how to apply project management principles to real estate by delegating property tasks and conducting in-depth financial analyses.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Lane: Could you tell us about your books and what inspired you to write them, especially focusing on your latest book, "The Wealth Elevator"? How can engineers and AEC industry professionals, starting with limited financial knowledge or support, achieve a level of wealth like yours? How has your engineering and construction management background shaped your approach to project management in real estate development? How did you apply project management principles to identify the multi-unit property market in Houston? How do you prepare for a market downturn, whether it's imminent or already underway? How can engineers use their project management skills effectively in today's economy, particularly in real estate investment?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Best Financial Strategies for Engineers in Real Estate: “The Wealth Elevator” is a guide to financial success through real estate investments, offering personalized strategies based on your financial situation. It helps you understand where you are financially and how to make smart investment decisions that can lead to long-term wealth. Engineers and AEC industry professionals can build wealth by investing in real estate in markets with strong rental value ratios. Using tools like the 1% rule to evaluate properties and choosing locations with favorable landlord laws can help maximize cash flow and financial growth, even with limited financial knowledge or support. Lane's engineering and construction management background strongly influences his approach to real estate project management. He prioritizes efficient decision-making, minimizes bureaucracy, and focuses on swift execution to optimize financial outcomes and project success. Project management principles are applied to target the multi-unit property market in Houston through thorough market research and data analysis. This approach involves evaluating rental demand and property performance metrics to identify profitable investment opportunities and drive successful real estate ventures in Houston. To prepare for a market downturn, investors should adjust key metrics like vacancy rates and economic occupancy in their financial models to simulate challenging scenarios. By stress-testing investments this way, they can identify vulnerabilities and ensure their properties remain resilient during economic fluctuations, minimizing financial risks. Engineers can apply their project management skills effectively in real estate investment by conducting thorough feasibility studies and optimizing property performance through data-driven decision-making. By leveraging their technical expertise and structured approach to planning and risk management, engineers can enhance project outcomes and maximize returns in the real estate sector.More Details in This Episode…About Lane Kawaoka, P.E.:Lane Kawaoka has been investing for over a decade and now controls 10,000+ units ($2.1B+ AUM) with over $45M of distributions to investors. Lane is responsible for finding investment opportunities, analysis, and marketing. He obtained a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and an M.S. in Civil Engineering and Construction Management from the University of Washington. In addition to an analytical engineering background, Lane has real-world experience working as a project manager for over $250 million of capital construction projects in both the public and private sectors. Working as a high-paid professional in corporate America and frustrated by the traditi...
In this episode, we talk with Michael McDonagh, P.E., P.Eng., vice president and senior technical principal at WSP, about the exciting uses of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) and the challenges and promising future of this groundbreaking material in structural engineering.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Michael: How did your experience as an engineer compare to focusing more specifically on design, including both the advantages and disadvantages you encountered? Could you explain what ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is and how it differs from traditional concrete? Do steel fibers in UHPC only serve for shear resistance and crack reduction, or do they also increase tensile strength or have other purposes? Can you share project examples where you chose ultra-high-performance concrete based on its suitability for specific needs? Since UHPC is significantly more expensive than conventional concrete, how do you justify the higher costs associated with using it in projects? Aside from its longevity, how does ultra-high-performance concrete contribute to sustainability, and are there other sustainable aspects associated with it? Are there guidelines or frameworks available for engineers interested in using UHPC in their projects, and what do these typically involve? Was the absence of a design guide for structural engineers the main barrier preventing wider use of ultra-high-performance concrete in the industry, or were there other factors at play? Where do you think UHPC has untapped potential in terms of regions or types of structures? What final advice do you have for structural engineers or structural engineering students as they progress in their careers?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Innovative Ways to Utilize UHPC in Construction: Focusing specifically on design, especially with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), has allowed Michael to delve into innovative projects and hone expertise in a niche area. This shift brings advantages in creating intricate and visually appealing designs, but also presents challenges, like navigating complexities and costs associated with advanced materials in construction. UHPC differs from traditional concrete by excluding coarse aggregates and using fine sand with steel fibers for enhanced strength and durability. UHPC's exceptional properties include extreme durability and resistance to permeability, making it ideal for applications requiring longevity and high performance. Ultra-high-performance concrete gains significant tensile strength from steel fibers, typically used in volumes ranging from 2% to 3%. The inclusion of these fibers provides both strength and ductility, allowing for innovative applications like thin, flexible UHPC slabs capable of substantial deflection without failure. UHPC has transformed bridge construction by strengthening connections between precast members, improving durability, and speeding up construction while reducing costs. UHPC overlays on aging bridge decks provide exceptional durability and stiffness, enhancing structural strength and longevity compared to traditional alternatives. Ultra-high-performance concrete can save costs in structural projects by optimizing designs and reducing the need for extra materials. While initial costs may not be lower, a lifecycle cost analysis often proves UHPC's long-term cost-effectiveness, particularly for durability-focused owners. UHPC overlays provide significant long-term value, with durability projections of 30 to 50 years in lifecycle cost analyses. Although project data beyond 20 years is limited, UHPC's proven durability indicates lasting benefits for infrastructure maintenance and longevity. Efforts to make UHPC cost-effective also promote sustainability by minimizing material use and maximizing durability.
In this episode, I talk with Terry Dussault, president of Yellowknife Consulting Services, about improving workplace safety through training and implementing hazard communication and safe work standards to boost productivity and morale. Terry emphasizes the importance of comprehensive safety practices, covering accident prevention with equipment, vehicle safety, and protection from airborne contaminants.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Terry: What steps should supervisors take to enhance workplace safety? How can practical aspects of safety be effectively incorporated into training sessions? In what ways does implementing a hazard communication and safe work standards system impact employee productivity and morale? What factors are driving the increase in hazardous communication, workplace safety issues, and strikes, and how can businesses effectively manage these risks? Given the rising risks, how should businesses address and manage them effectively? How do you recommend employers ensure compliance and safety in the workplace? To ensure compliance and safety regarding powered industrial trucks like forklifts, what recommendations do you have given their prevalent use and inherent risks? What are the essential elements for ensuring compliance and safety in the workplace? How can workplace incidents involving workers being struck by vehicles, trucks, and equipment be prevented, and how can the consequences be minimized? Are workplaces utilizing technology to address the issue of people being struck by vehicles? What measures can employers take to protect workers from airborne contaminants, and how can these actions mitigate financial and legal consequences for the company? What specific biological hazards are present in manufacturing and aerospace workplaces? What advice would you offer to engineers and safety professionals who are starting their careers to ensure workplace safety and environmental compliance?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Best Practices for Implementing Training in Workplace Safety: Supervisors should undergo thorough training on safety protocols and communication skills to enhance workplace safety. Employers should provide ongoing support and follow-up to ensure that safety standards are consistently implemented and maintained. To incorporate practical safety aspects into training sessions, use interactive exercises in the classroom to engage participants and reinforce learning. Follow this with hands-on practice in real job settings, including performance evaluations, to enhance safety skills beyond theory, especially in high-risk industries like construction. Implementing hazard communication and safe work standards positively impacts employee productivity and morale by providing clear safety guidelines and a safer work environment. Workers feel valued and secure in environments with strong safety programs, leading to higher morale and improved productivity. The increase in hazardous communication, workplace safety issues, and strikes is fueled by incidents leading to financial losses, regulatory fines, injuries, property damage, or security breaches. To manage these risks, businesses should prioritize safety improvements, implement robust hazard communication programs, conduct regular safety training, and foster a safety-conscious culture where employees actively participate in safety initiatives. Implementing a robust safety program with incident and near-miss reporting helps companies identify and address risks early, preventing serious incidents like lead exposure. Regular site inspections and proactive safety measures not only ensure worker safety but also protect against costly incidents that could impact business viability. The strict regulation around powered industrial trucks like forklifts reflects their...
In this episode, I talk with Jamison Morse, P.E., Principal and Director of Structures, and Sean Bailey, Lead Software Developer, from PVE, LLC, about how software development is reshaping architecture and engineering firms, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in our field, and what lies ahead for technology in our industry. They highlight the benefits of in-house software teams and tailored solutions, discuss AI's impact on projects, and share examples of custom development at PVE.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Jamison and Sean: How did the idea to integrate software development into PVE, a multidisciplinary AE firm, come about, and what was your vision for this integration? What technology trend do you see as most impactful for the future of architecture and engineering, particularly concerning AI? How does having an in-house software development team improve the firm's capacity to innovate and provide tailored solutions? How is simplifying everyone's job by avoiding Word files and administrative tasks when compiling engineering reports a win-win situation? How has the integration of AI into your projects been, including the challenges, benefits encountered, and overall progress? Do new graduates receive mentorship and access to a large language model to assist them in navigating and seeking guidance across the entire organization? Do you have any other examples of custom development projects that your team has put together that you'd like to share? What exciting new developments or projects are on the horizon, particularly in terms of new technologies or collaborations within the engineering industry? Does your process offer quick property snapshots and recommendations to save clients time in decision-making? How do regional factors influence the development of your projects? What advice do you have for engineers aiming to integrate software development and technology innovations into their work effectively?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Benefit from Custom Software Development in the A/E Industry: Implementing software to reduce administrative tasks and bureaucratic processes in architecture, engineering, and construction enables professionals in these fields to focus more on critical thinking, design, and problem-solving. It's important to emphasize how AI can enhance human judgment in architecture and engineering, ensuring it improves processes while still valuing human expertise in decision-making. Having an in-house software development team allows the firm to innovate with custom solutions like a document automation platform, which improves efficiency with current deliverables and facilitates adaptation to new types of work. This capability ultimately enhances client value and competitiveness in the industry. By avoiding Word files and administrative tasks with custom document automation solutions, everyone's job is simplified, allowing engineers to focus on core tasks and deliver consistent, high-quality reports efficiently. This streamlines processes, boosts productivity, and enhances credibility with clients through polished and error-free deliverables. Integrating AI tools like Turbine has streamlined document aggregation and provided personalized project assistance for engineering and architectural firms. While refining AI capabilities and ensuring data accuracy presents challenges, overall progress has improved collaboration and connectivity across teams, saving time and enhancing project outcomes. New graduates at engineering and architectural firms benefit from mentorship and tools that assist them in navigating and seeking guidance across the entire organization. This support promotes knowledge sharing and collaboration, enabling new hires to succeed and contribute effectively within their roles. PVE,
In this episode, I reflect on our top 10 geotechnical engineering podcasts that resonate the most with our listeners. We explore groundbreaking discussions on new technologies and share inspiring stories of career development and engineering leadership.*The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Here Are the Top 10 Geotechnical Engineering Podcasts: #10 - Episode 04: Joanna Smith, a talented young geotechnical engineer at AECOM, is making significant contributions to the field of geotechnical engineering. She shared her experiences and highlighted the impact she hopes to achieve in the engineering industry. #9 - Episode 10: John R. Grillo, P.E., a project executive at Keller, talks about important ground improvement techniques. His detailed exploration of these techniques gave us valuable insights and knowledge. #8 - Episode 01: This episode laid the groundwork for The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast. We discussed our goals and how we intend to support our community. #7 - Episode 42: Christina Tipp, PG, CEG, a professional geologist from SHN, sheds light on the relationship between geological and geotechnical engineering. Christina's insights highlight the importance of this interdisciplinary understanding. #6 - Episode 08: Seth Pearlman, P.E., D. GE, M.ASCE, president and CEO of Menard Group USA, shared his perspective on ground improvement techniques. Seth's expertise and case studies were a true learning experience. #5 - Episode 07: Peggy Hagerty Duffy, P.E., D.GE, M.ASCE, president at Hagerty Engineering, Inc., offers valuable guidance on starting and growing a successful engineering firm. Peggy's advice on building client relationships was truly golden. #4 - Episode 21: Mathew Picardal, P.E., facilitated collaboration between structural and geotechnical engineering, emphasizing teamwork and integration between the disciplines. #3 - Episode 11: Andrew Burns, P.E., vice president of Engineering & Estimating for Underpinning & Foundation at Skanska, provided a roadmap for aspiring geotechnical engineers. His dedication to continuous learning and professional development was truly inspiring. #2 - Episode 02: Kancheepuram N. Gunalan (Guna), P.E., the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2020 National President and Senior Vice President at AECOM, provided a visionary perspective on the future of our field. His insights into the future of geotechnical engineering were enlightening. #1 - Episode 14: Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero, Ph.D., P.E., a geotechnical project manager and laboratory manager at American Geotechnical & Environmental Services, Inc., inspired individuals to embrace new opportunities in their careers. Sebastian's personal journey and success stories resonated with many.More Details in This Episode…About the Host: Jared M. Green, P.E., BC.GE, F.ASCEJared, originally from southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduated from Syracuse University’s College of Engineering in 2001 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He later went on to attain his M.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Focus) from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Campaign, in 2002. In 2003, he began working in the New York City office of Langan. He has since become a Principal / Vice President and is one of the owners of this international land development engineering consulting firm. After 15 years at Langan, Jared moved to the Philadelphia office and is one of the geotechnical practice leaders in that office.Jared is a consultant and team leader who also enjoys mentoring young engineers and first-generation college students. He has been instrumental in increasing the number of pre-college students who are interested in STEAM majors and fields. He strives to make complex engineering topics relatable and understandable to people new to the field and to people who are completely unfamiliar with engineering. Jared and his family currently reside in Flemington, New Jersey.
In this episode, we talk to Margie Oleson, Ed.D., change consultant at Oleson Consulting LLC and OCM Lead at Lockheed Martin, about unique challenges faced by CEOs and C-suite executives. She also shares some great advice for navigating turbulent times in companies, building effective engineering leadership teams, fostering cohesion, and ensuring long-term improvements. ***The video […]
The post TECC 327: Engineering Leadership: Empowering Strategies for Success and Growth appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Josh Valman, CEO of RPDK, Innovation Board Advisor to the Royal Academy of Engineering, and Investment Committee Board Member at the British Design Fund, about the gap between education and real-world engineering. He emphasizes the importance of practical experience, interpersonal growth, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation […]
The post TECC 326: Balancing Technical Skills and Interpersonal Growth for Engineering Success appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Robert J. Khoury about the key principles and strategies for creating an exceptional internship experience. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and intentionality in designing internships that meet the needs of both the employer and the intern. Robert also highlights the significance of dignity in internships and the impact […]
The post TECC 325: How to Guarantee a Great Internship Experience appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Peter Schroeder about his journey as a tech entrepreneur. He discusses the challenges and lessons learned in starting and growing a business, the importance of leadership and management, and the traits that set a successful tech entrepreneur apart. Peter also provides advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and emphasizes the need […]
The post TECC 324: The Traits That Define a Successful Tech Entrepreneur appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Vinod Narayan, senior software engineer and project manager at Viviota, about effective strategies for excelling in both hardware and software fields. Vinod also provides some great advice on leading diverse teams in complex engineering projects. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes: Here Are […]
The post TECC 323: Effective Strategies for Thriving in Hardware and Software Industries appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Alan Stein, Jr., a former basketball performance coach turned corporate keynote speaker, and author of “Raise Your Game”, about the application of high-performance leadership principles across diverse aspects of life. He emphasizes the importance of fundamentals and never getting bored with them. He also shares a story about meeting […]
The post TECC 322: High-Performance Leadership Strategies for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Farnoosh Brock about the importance of leadership and engineering communication skills. She emphasizes the need for engineers to close the gap between technical and leadership skills to advance in their careers. Farnoosh highlights the significance of confidence and voice in effective communication and leadership. She also discusses the role […]
The post TECC 321: How Communication Skills Can Propel Your Engineering Career Forward appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Lisa Nourse, Talent Acquisition Manager; Hannah Newhard, P.E., PTOE, Traffic Engineer; Nicholas Teach, Transportation Engineer; and Curt Grass, Senior Engineer, about the impact and role of the Young Professionals Group (YPG) at Stanley Consultants, exploring its influence on the development and success of young professionals in the engineering field. […]
The post TECC 320: How a Young Professionals Group Can Shape Your Engineering Future appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Prof. Saleem H. Ali, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences and the Blue & Gold Distinguished Professor of Energy and the Environment at the University of Delaware (USA), about the critical role of aluminum in sustainability, its ecological impacts, and effective strategies for engineers seeking […]
The post TECC 319: The Pros and Cons of Using Aluminum in Sustainability appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Andrew Temte, CFA, former CEO of Kaplan Professional, author of “Balancing Act: Teach, Coach, Mentor, Inspire,” and host of The Balancing Act Podcast, about enhancing leadership and organizational development in today’s dynamic business landscape. He will reveal key strategies from his book, such as strategies for building trust […]
The post TECC 318: How Emotional Intelligence Drives Organizational Development appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Jen Hubbard, recruiter, and talent acquisition at Wallace Design Collective, about recruiting strategies for modern engineering firms and adaptability in considering changes in the job market. Jen also provides tips on candidate sourcing, relationship-building, and successful salary negotiations. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering […]
The post TECC 317: Top Recruiting Strategies for Modern Engineering Firms appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Matthew Douglas, the operation leader at EMI, talks with me about my new book, “The Intentional Engineer.” We discuss intentionality in engineering careers, work-life balance and explain how you can conquer challenges with confidence. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Become an Intentional Engineer: A […]
The post TECC 316: How to Become an Intentional Engineer: A Guide to a Purposeful Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Dave Carey, an acclaimed motivational speaker, consultant, coach, and author, about his experience as a prisoner of war (POW) for over five years and the invaluable lessons he gained from it that can be applied to life, leadership, and engineering. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed […]
The post TECC 315: Prisoner of War Lessons for Life, Leadership, and Engineering appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Timothy Wingate Jr., EA, the founder and president of G+F Business & Financial Consulting, about the challenges and strategies related to communication, finance, and technology in a construction project management system. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key […]
The post TECC 314: How to Get the Most Out of Your Construction Project Management System appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Pam Hurley, PhD, the founder and president of Hurley Write, Inc., about how engineers can become more effective writers. We discuss some of the challenges that engineers face when writing, share some tips and strategies for improving their effective technical writing skills, and the importance of writing in a […]
The post TECC 313: Tips and Strategies for Effective Technical Writing in Engineering appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Ahmed Wasfy. With a career that’s seen him leading engineering teams in tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and AWS, Ahmed brings a wealth of experience and insights that are truly remarkable. From deciphering the core attributes that set exceptional engineering leaders apart to navigating challenges faced by new leaders […]
The post TECC 312: The Core Attributes of Exceptional Engineering Leaders appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Eric Thompson, P.E., water resources engineering team leader at MSA Professional Services. Eric provides some great advice for engineers who are aspiring to transition from technical professional to leader, especially within the field of water resources engineering.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Eric:
Can you share your journey to becoming the water resources engineering team leader at MSA, and how you made the transition from a technical professional to a leader? What are the essential skills for a water resource engineer to transition into a leadership role? What is your role in project management and how do you approach managing projects within your team? Can you share your experience in team management and how you have cultivated a positive and productive working environment?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Successfully Navigate the Transition from Technical Professional to Leader:
Transitioning from a technical to a leadership role can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding. You may need to develop new skills and knowledge, build relationships with a wider range of people, and take on more responsibility. You will also make a positive impact on the lives of others and use your skills and knowledge to solve problems and achieve goals. Effective communication is essential for water resources engineers, especially when working with clients and other professionals from different disciplines. Engineers need to be able to clearly explain their technical concepts in a way that is easy to understand. They also need to be able to listen carefully to the needs of their clients and partners and to build relationships based on trust and respect. A good project manager does not need to do the work themselves. Instead, they should focus on the big picture, such as communicating with the client, staying on budget and schedule, and ensuring that all the different parts of the project are coming together. By trusting their team to do their work, project managers can free themselves up to manage the project effectively. A positive and productive work environment is one where team members feel trusted and supported. They are allowed to learn and grow, and they are encouraged to take on new challenges. This can be achieved by team leaders who are willing to let go of control and allow their team members to make mistakes. By creating a safe space for failure, team leaders can help their team members grow and develop into confident and capable professionals.
More Details in This Episode…
About Eric Thompson, P.E. Eric Thompson has over 25 years of experience, specializing in stormwater management including watershed management activities ranging from wetland restoration, aquatic habitat assessments, lake water quality improvement, flood reduction, and development regulation. Eric has been involved in projects throughout the United States, including major project work in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
He is a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. Eric served on the board of the Iowa Floodplain and Stormwater Management Association (IFSMA) from 2014 to 2020. His last position with the board was as IFSMA's Vice Chairperson. Currently, Eric leads the MSA Professional Services Water Resources Specialty team of nine professionals out of their Madison, WI, office. They serve clients in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota.
MSA Professional Services is a multidisciplinary consulting firm serving public and private clients throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and now Georgia and Texas. Their architectural, engineering, funding, planning, and surveying professionals partner with clients in both the public and private sectors.
In this episode, I talk with Jonathan Ehrlich, the chief operating officer of T2D2, an artificial intelligence asset inspection software platform used by engineers, architects, and building owners to make their inspection workflow faster, cheaper, and more accurate. Jonathan is an expert in the integration of drones and artificial intelligence in façade inspection, and in this episode, we discuss the benefits, challenges, and prospects of using these cutting-edge technologies.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Jonathan:
Why are façade inspections important, and how does your product help engineers and architects conduct them? How are government entities in New York City evolving their regulations to keep the public safe from aging infrastructure? What are the advantages of using drones for façade inspection, either alone or in combination with traditional methods? How can drones and human inspectors work together to create a better façade inspection? What are some of the limitations or challenges of using drone technology for façade inspection? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of using AI for façade inspection and analysis in the building industry? What tangible next steps can be taken after the analysis of data collected from AI-powered façade inspection? Do you think orthomosaics can help inspection professionals make better decisions by providing a larger context of the façade? How can façade inspection professionals differentiate between what AI can tell them and what AI cannot tell them, given the limitations of AI? What are the future advancements and developments in the integration of drone inspection and façades? What are the next steps for engineers who want to get involved in AI-based drone inspections of façades?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Drones and AI Are Revolutionizing Façade Inspections:
The building and façade inspection industry is growing due to aging infrastructure, changing building methodologies, and climate change. Façade inspection is important for safety, and over fifteen cities mandate it periodically. Regulators are increasingly interested in how to keep the public safe while embracing technology. New York City has multiple laws that require periodic façade inspection, including the Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP), which mandates that every building above six stories has its façade inspected by a qualified inspector every five years. Similar laws are popping up around the country. Drones are revolutionizing the way façade inspections are conducted. They can provide a more complete and accurate inspection than traditional methods, at a fraction of the cost. This is beneficial for both owners and regulators, who want to ensure the safety of buildings while minimizing costs. The combination of drones and human inspectors is the best way to conduct a comprehensive and accurate façade inspection. Drones can provide a bird's-eye view of the façade, while human inspectors can conduct physical inspections of areas that are difficult or impossible for drones to reach. This allows for a more complete assessment of the façade's condition and can help to ensure the safety of buildings. While drone technology can be used to solve some challenges of façade inspection, it also introduces new challenges, such as the need for specialized software to manage the large amount of data collected, the need to comply with regulations, and the need to take safety precautions. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to automate the analysis of photos and videos taken by drones, which can help to improve the efficiency and accuracy of façade inspection. However, AI models require large amounts of data to train, and they can be biased. It is important to be aware of these limitations and to take steps to mitigate them....
In this episode, I talk with Intisar Ahmed, MS, EIT, a geotechnical engineer from Thurber Engineering in Vancouver, BC. As an early-career professional with extensive experience in the geotechnical industry, Intisar shares valuable insights on charting your geotechnical engineering career, navigating graduate education, securing your first job, and excelling when tackling unfamiliar tasks.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Intisar:
How do you manage your time and commitments to balance work responsibilities, professional development, and career growth? What were the most significant obstacles you faced as an early career professional, and how did you overcome them? What advice would you give to younger geotechnical professionals, whether they are just starting in their careers or looking to advance? What is the best way for early career professionals to approach and tackle a new technical task that seems insurmountable? Why is taking ownership of your work important in geotechnical engineering, especially considering the safety implications of the work? How can pursuing higher education in geotechnical engineering contribute to career advancement? How would you recommend early career professionals evaluate the decision to pursue an advanced degree versus gaining industry experience? What resources and strategies would you recommend for staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in geotechnical engineering?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Charting Your Geotechnical Engineering Career:
Professional development is an ethical obligation for engineers, as it helps them stay current with code changes, state of practice, and new technologies. However, it is important to find a balance between work responsibilities and professional development, as too much of either can lead to burnout. Engineers should be selective about which professional development events to attend and be mindful of their limitations. They should also be active participants in professional organizations and give back by volunteering. Imposter syndrome is a common obstacle faced by early career professionals. It can be difficult to overcome imposter syndrome, but it is important to remember that everyone feels this way at times. Talking to more experienced professionals, asking for help, and putting in the time and effort to learn can help to build confidence and overcome impostor syndrome. Younger geotechnical professionals can set themselves up for success in their first job by networking with other professionals, attending industry events, and being proactive in seeking out work. They should also be willing to learn and ask for help and be organized and efficient in their work. It is also important to remember to pace themselves and take breaks. Early career professionals can approach a new technical task that seems insurmountable by getting as much information as possible from the person assigning the task, looking at previous project folders, and seeking ongoing feedback throughout the task. They should also communicate with their reviewer if things are new for them and be aware that most reviewers are sympathetic and don't expect perfection immediately. Geotechnical engineers who take ownership of their work are more likely to be successful in their careers. This is because they are self-motivated, reliable, and accountable. They are also more likely to deliver high-quality work that meets the needs of their clients and the public. Graduate studies can be a valuable investment for geotechnical engineers who are looking to advance their careers. A master's degree can help graduates develop a deeper understanding of the principles and practices of geotechnical engineering, gain confidence in their fundamentals, and be better equipped to handle design tasks.
In this episode, we talk with Sam LaMontanaro P.E., C.E.M., Director of Engineering at Aufgang Architects, LLC, about internship programs that are tailored for young engineers. We delve into the exciting opportunities these programs offer and how they equip aspiring engineers to conquer real-world challenges in the industry. Additionally, for those contemplating fieldwork, we explore […]
The post TECC 311: How to Get the Most Out of Your Engineering Internship appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I discuss strategies for achieving career success for structural engineers with Nabeal (Newton) W. Khatib, M.S., P.E., founder & CEO of Legendfortutoring, LLC. We also explore the process of curating a comprehensive library specifically designed to cater to the requirements of the structural depth Professional Engineer (P.E.) exam.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Nabeal: What skills do you believe current or aspiring structural engineers should possess, and do you have any advice for enhancing or expediting their career advancement? What's the optimal way to provide training and address knowledge gaps without demoralizing individuals by implying they should have learned certain things in school? Is transitioning straight from management training to supervising engineers effective, or is it better to consider that engineers also need training and mentoring from the supervisor? Can you briefly summarize the templates you mentioned or worked with that caught your interest? Could you provide insights into preparing for the CBTPE and SC exams, including effective tips and strategies for engineers planning to study for them? Could you explain how the shift from paper and pencil exams, like the P.E. and SEC, to the CBT format impacts individuals who are used to physical books and references, especially in terms of adjusting to a digital environment and navigating this change effectively? Could you provide insights or advice on creating a library and preparing effectively for the structural depth P.E. exam, particularly for individuals attempting it for the first time? With your preparation for the SE exam's transition to computer-based testing, could you share insights on its implications, both positive and negative? Is there a handbook for the transition to computer-based testing that summarizes equations, which might be useful even if you're unfamiliar with it? Did you use extra help like guides, practice exams, or mentorship, like what Legend for Tutoring offers, and if yes, how can people reach out for these services? Do you have any last advice for those already in their careers or striving to maximize their professional life, or perhaps some broader life wisdom?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Ultimate Guide to Career Success for Structural Engineers: In structural engineering, personal skills are as crucial as technical expertise. Coupled with teamwork, adaptability, and effective communication, they drive success. A balanced approach, learning from mistakes, and embracing diverse thinking, aided by tools like 3D sketches, ensure career success for structural engineers. Regularly coming across the idea that advanced degrees imply one should stop learning sends a discouraging message, possibly demotivating emerging and aspiring engineers and impeding their growth. In engineering management, managers without licenses might not thoroughly check reused solutions, especially when working with technically skilled engineers who prioritize project management. This can lead to design accuracy mistakes. The 4T framework is a crucial guide for successful structural engineering, emphasizing terms, templates, time management, and trust. The speaker underscores the significance of templates in simplifying complex designs and ensuring referencing accuracy, benefiting both professional practice and exam preparation efforts. When approaching the CBTPE and SC exams, the 4T framework (terms, templates, time management, and trust) is essential. Understanding references and adapting to evolving formats, like the P.E. exam's design standards, are crucial. Efficient time management within the six-minute per problem limit is vital, as is strategic flagging of questions. Remember, failure is a stepping-stone for improvement,
In this episode, I talk with Jim Rowings, vice president at Kiewit, about developing top leadership skills for engineers in the design and construction field, and the vital role that leadership qualities play in the journey of all engineers.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Jim: Did gaining experience before choosing a master's degree help you decide the direction you wanted to pursue? Can you describe your early field experiences, the difficulties you faced as a new engineer, and the strategies you employed to enhance your self-assurance? Could you describe your mentoring experiences and offer insights into how we can enhance accessibility to mentoring for younger professionals? Could you share your personal experience in navigating the balance between your technical expertise, including research and education, and your development of leadership skills? How have your leadership skills influenced your career advancement and your effectiveness in leading teams within your various roles?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Develop Top Leadership Skills for Engineering Excellence: Gaining practical experience before choosing a master's degree not only provides valuable insights and confidence but also clarifies specific areas of interest. This real-world experience helps tailor academic pursuits, combining hands-on challenges with targeted learning for a well-rounded education. For young engineers facing early challenges, it's crucial to ask for advice, make ethical decisions, and learn from tricky situations. Prioritizing caution and integrity will lead to a safer and more successful career path. Mentoring begins with the initiative of young engineers to recognize learning opportunities from those around them. Informal connections and shared experiences, even simple breakfast discussions, can offer valuable insights. Trusting superiors who prioritize growth and provide constructive feedback shapes professional development. Sharing challenges and seeking input from multiple sources allows for well-rounded decision-making. Balancing technical expertise and leadership involves learning from experiences and staying curious. Observations from mentors provide insights for leadership growth while maintaining curiosity and consistently learning in the technical realm ensures ongoing expertise. Asking insightful "why" questions deepens technical understanding, creating a successful equilibrium between the two aspects. Central to career success is building strong relationships that offer ongoing access to new opportunities and diverse perspectives. Curiosity acts as a driving force, while expressing gratitude, especially through handwritten thank-you notes, reinforces connections, and paves the way for navigating challenges. This practice of acknowledging others yields enduring professional relationships and connections.More Details in This Episode…About Jim RowingsThroughout his career, Jim has held leadership positions in academia and industry. Jim holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. He has taught every fundamental construction engineering course and many graduate-level courses related to construction engineering and management at leading universities, including the University of Kansas, Iowa State University, and Purdue University. Jim began his career working for ARAMCO in Saudi Arabia as a construction engineer on projects ranging in scope from $60 million to $2.3 billion.He led the top Construction Engineering program in the U.S. for 15 years. As a teacher and academic researcher, he authored or co-authored more than 25 published research papers and several books, and he has been awarded more than 30 grants and contracts totaling more than $2.5 million.At Kiewit, Jim has developed new approaches to student le...
In this episode, I talk with David Robison, co-founder of Design Master Software, a renowned developer of electrical engineering software, about the impact of building information modeling (BIM) on electrical engineering. David also discusses the current state of BIM for electrical engineering and highlights its remarkable benefits.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask David: Can you discuss the current state of BIM for electrical engineering and its applicability to different professionals? Can you elaborate on the specific challenges that electrical engineers encounter when utilizing these tools in their current practices? Are various engineering disciplines using BIM primarily for coordination with architects and construction documents? At the same time, engineers often seek other tools for their tasks — does your solution aim to provide a comprehensive all-in-one approach? How does BIM's error reduction capability impact the design process and project outcomes for electrical engineers? How else do you envision enhancing time-saving benefits in implementing BIM for electrical engineers during design and construction? Have you seen how dedicating time upfront to projects, along with incremental efforts, pays off significantly in the long run based on your client experiences? Is it accurate to say that due to programming limitations, most engineers can't create a solution like yours, leading to a necessary collaboration with your team using iterative processes? How does the combination of BIM and electrical engineering address evolving technology and sustainability demand, and what's your view on upcoming software development? If an electrical engineer, running their firm, approached you with an interest in using BIM alongside your software, what guidance would you offer to ensure they make the best decision for their needs?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Benefits and Challenges of Using BIM for Electrical Engineering: BIM was primarily tailored for architects and lacked a focus on electrical engineers. While Revit offers some potential, it falls short of meeting electrical engineers' requirements. There is untapped potential in BIM for electrical engineering, an area largely unaddressed by major players. The main hurdle for electrical engineers is aligning BIM's 3D focus with the functional priorities of electrical engineers. They require integration between diagrammatic layouts, calculations, and 3D models in tools like Revit to streamline tasks like wire sizing, voltage calculations, and arc flash analysis. A unified model encompassing these elements is vital for effective electrical engineering within BIM. BIM's challenges span multiple engineering fields, and implementing ideas in Revit often falls short of expectations. Design Master Software aims to bridge the gap by seamlessly integrating crucial components, translating envisioned possibilities into reality, and aligning users' expectations with achievable outcomes. In design, errors stem from model inconsistencies, especially among electrical engineers dealing with panel names across Revit, diagrams, and calculations. Design Master Software's software unifies these models, allowing changes in one place to propagate throughout, preventing errors and enhancing documentation reliability. While initially investing more time in proper layout and integration during BIM implementation might seem a trade-off, it pays off in streamlined changes later on. Unlike copying a previous project's A1 line, meticulous modeling ensures efficient modifications down the line. This balance between upfront effort and long-term time savings becomes crucial in complex project scenarios. In the past, work was mostly saved for the end due to expected changes. Now, it's better to do more upfront work that can be adjuste...
In this episode, we talk with Lorin Bosoc, CEng MICE, a Chartered Civil Engineer and Registered Ground Engineering Professional at Atkins Ground Engineering and Tunneling about the challenges and opportunities of working on ground engineering projects in different regions, the importance of mentorship for aspiring engineers, and strategies for prioritizing employee well-being.The video version of this episode can be viewed here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Lorin: As a registered ground engineering professional, what aspects do you find most challenging and fascinating, and how do you address them? Given your experience in both the UK and international markets, how do projects in different regions offer unique challenges and opportunities in ground engineering? Can you briefly introduce the Ground Forum undergraduate mentorship program, elaborate on your role, and highlight its main goals and participant benefits? Could you delve into the role of mentoring in nurturing the growth of aspiring engineers? Could you outline the strategies and initiatives your company has implemented to prioritize the well-being of its employees? What is the impact of maintaining a healthy work-life balance on professional performance and overall job satisfaction? What advice and essential skills or qualities would you recommend to young professionals aspiring to excel in the field of ground engineering, especially those still in school, recently graduated, or beginning their careers?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About The Vital Role of Ground Engineering in Fostering Safe and Sustainable Infrastructure: Efficiently addressing ground engineering challenges involves understanding the geological context, reviewing past experiences, communicating with clients and contractors, and applying engineering judgment to develop feasible and effective solutions. The challenges in ground engineering international markets involve language barriers, local politics, time zone discrepancies, unspoken client expectations, diverse ground conditions, code adaptations, and seismic considerations, which vary across regions and between seismic and non-seismic areas. The Ground Forum unites UK ground engineering interests, and its Undergraduate Mentorship Program addresses diversity and skills shortages by offering comprehensive insights, networking, project exposure, and workshops, guided by industry mentors. Mentorship in ground engineering is a two-way exchange of experiences and skills and benefits both mentors and mentees. For mentees, it's a chance to learn from practical expertise and diverse problem-solving approaches. Mentors become trusted allies who offer constructive guidance and provide a supportive environment for mentees' career growth. Atkins prioritizes employee well-being with a holistic Wellness framework covering physical, emotional, financial, and social aspects. This commitment is evident through the "Different Makes a Difference" strategy, offering benefits like well-being apps and mental health support. This approach recognizes the connection between employee well-being and productivity, supported by peers and leaders who provide guidance and create a supportive environment. Balancing work and personal life is vital. Working too much can harm both job satisfaction and performance. Taking breaks after work improves efficiency and reduces stress. Dealing with anxiety and depression motivates seeking balance. Individuals should find a way to prioritize their well-being. Young ground engineering professionals must not hesitate to ask questions and seek guidance. University provides the basics, but active practice, discussing with peers and mentors, and studying case studies are crucial. When stuck, asking questions is key to learning and problem-solving.More Details in This Episode…About the Guest: Lorin Bosoc, CEng MICE
In this episode, we talk to Kirils Holstovs MEng (Hons) GMICE, an engineer at AECOM working in transportation, and a co-lead of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) Young Engineers / Future Leaders’ Working Group on Climate Action, about sustainable development and innovation in engineering, and how engineers can bridge the science-policy divide in […]
The post TECC 310: Engineering a Sustainable Future: Addressing Climate Challenges and Promoting Sustainable Development appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Karuna Ramanathan, a transformation consultant coach from KR Konsulting Pte. Ltd., about organizational leadership and the vital skills that every effective leader should possess. He also provides some great strategies for overcoming challenges in remote work and explains how project managers can ensure their teams stay aligned with the company's mission and values.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Karuna:
What are the key skills and qualities necessary for effective organizational leadership, particularly in terms of becoming proficient leaders and successfully managing projects? How does adapting and flexing contribute to your organization, and how can mastering these skills enhance one's career? Amidst the surge in remote work and digital transformation, how do you adeptly incorporate tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom into your business processes while overcoming challenges in managing and leading project teams from a distance? How do you implement effective practices to ensure seamless communication among your team members? Can you describe a successful large-scale system change program you've led for an organization, including its goals and the planning and implementation approach? How do you ensure rapid adaptation strategies are effectively embraced by your company to fulfill its purpose and meet evolving needs, even during less transformative periods? Amidst change and project challenges, how do you maintain project teams' commitment to the company's mission and values? What advice do you have for project managers on handling project uncertainty, defining it, and guiding their teams toward clarity? Do you have any advice on organizational leadership and driving positive change within organizations?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Top Tips for Effective Organizational Leadership in Project Management:
Distinguishing leaders from leadership is crucial. Leadership goes beyond position, earned through relatability, self-awareness, and influence. Many programs miss important factors like personality and needs. Organizations mainly train seniors, overlooking middle managers and project leaders. Effective leadership means more than a position, it's about influence. Adapting isn't complex; it's something we naturally do at home with our family. However, in organizations, we often focus on superiors and tasks, ignoring the potential of lateral connections. In the current landscape, especially post-pandemic, cross-functional collaboration is crucial. This involves navigating differences, working with unfamiliar areas, and embracing new perspectives. To succeed, middle managers must shift their focus from just looking up and down to also looking left and right, where untapped knowledge and resources lie. In today's complex world, middle managers play a pivotal role in adaptation and change. In the changing work landscape, two main models were common: one for office camaraderie and one for specific tasks done remotely. The pandemic disrupted this, especially in confined spaces. Now, assessing team competence, like qualifications, skills, reliability, proficiency, or dependability, is a challenge. This leads to hybrid work models, guided by middle and project managers, where leadership means valuing differences and focusing on people instead of just tasks. In Singapore, WhatsApp is commonly used for communication, but respecting boundaries and refraining from weekend messages is important. Balancing control and delegation is key, with managers focusing on addressing complex challenges rather than micromanaging obvious issues. The evolving role involves helping teams navigate data and wisdom, demonstrating a willingness to tackle difficulties. For successful organizational transformation, strategic planning is essential,
In this episode, I talk to William Doll, P.E., a structural engineer at Colliers Engineering & Design, about the unique aspects of working in a small firm and how it differs from working in a large firm. We take a deeper dive into the various projects he worked on in both settings and the advantages and challenges of team collaboration and communication. He also provides some great advice that you can use when choosing between working for small or large structural engineering firms.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask William:
How did your college courses prepare you for your role as a structural engineer, and what improvements could have been made to better align with your current job? Does the focus on complex programming highlight the need to strengthen basic engineering intuition, surprising those who expected a primarily software-focused approach? Could you talk about your fascinating career journey that began with a small firm and led you to transition into a larger one? What are your thoughts on mentorship dynamics in smaller versus larger structural engineering firms, considering that smaller firms might offer greater intimacy while larger firms provide more resources but potentially less personal connection? When looking at projects handled by smaller and larger structural engineering firms, especially regarding potential differences in project size, what variations did you see in the work they involved? How does transitioning from a smaller firm, where diverse skills including business development are essential, to a larger firm with specialized roles, affect skill development, and do you view this difference as advantageous for acquiring skills? How crucial is it to use direct communication like phone calls and casual office visits for both business conversations and informal chats, and do you find that these personal interactions enhance relationships? Can you discuss the variations in work-life balance and company culture when transitioning from a smaller to a larger firm? What were the most rewarding aspects you experienced when transitioning to a larger firm that was unavailable in a smaller firm? For engineers aspiring to join either a smaller or larger firm, could you offer advice on the career attributes they should focus on or factors to consider when deciding during their job search? If someone is considering joining a larger firm due to cultural factors, would you suggest that they reach out to current employees to gain insights into the firm's culture, and what would you consider the most effective approach for them to do so?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Small vs. Large Structural Engineering Firms:
During your early college years, you grasp fundamental subjects like calculus and physics. You later delve into specialized areas such as timber, steel, and concrete design, along with project prep and drawing skills. These basics, including tools like shear moment diagrams, remain essential for daily challenges. It will not be until about four to five years of field experience that you will understand how everything works together. Witnessing real construction scenarios will bridge the gap between theory and practice, solidifying your role as a structural engineer. Experienced engineers should teach younger engineers to focus on the basics. They must encourage using calculators before relying on apps to understand concepts thoroughly. This helps ensure that the results from apps make sense and are truly useful. Employment within a small firm offers a valuable hands-on learning experience encompassing diverse materials and building types. This environment sharpens adaptability and problem-solving skills, necessitating rapid learning and execution. In a larger firm, you'll acquire insights into a variety of in-house resources,
In this episode, I talk with Kimberly Bauer Burke, vice president at Skanska and a leader in the AEC industry, about her experiences as a business development and sales professional, which include discussing strategies for market penetration, customer relationship management, and more. We also dive into her perspective as a woman in the construction industry and share her thoughts on attracting and retaining women in leadership positions. Whether you're starting your career or looking to take your business development and sales skills to the next level, this episode is full of valuable insights and advice. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Kimberly:
Is finding a skilled mentor to guide you in your business development journey after identifying your interests a great career approach? What skills and strategies do you use to enter new markets, secure business, and excel in your job? How do you actively integrate current knowledge into your sales and business development strategies to ensure their effectiveness? Could you elaborate on the obstacles you've encountered as a woman in the construction field and share your strategies for overcoming them? How do you tackle the industry issue of translating big ideas into practical implementation, ensuring they become tangible realities rather than remaining abstract concepts? What measures do you believe the AEC industry can take to enhance the recruitment and retention of women in leadership roles, specifically within sales and business development? What advice do you have for people moving from technical roles to business development who want to improve their relationship-building skills?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About The Rise of Diversity and Inclusion in the AEC Industry:
Having advocates or sponsors in your career journey who provide guidance and recognition is crucial. Such support not only helps in defining a clear career path, but also ensures that valuable contributions are acknowledged. While positive feedback is valuable, constructive input is essential for growth. Recognizing the role of mentors in opening doors and offering direction emphasizes their significance in one's career progression. Establishing authentic relationships with project owners is pivotal in business development, nurturing trust, and yielding multiple projects. Team involvement in building these connections is crucial, while comprehensive administration and employee development initiatives ensure sustained growth and career advancement within the organization. Crafting a robust business development strategy involves multiple components. Cultivating a diverse network, proactively engaging, and embracing continuous learning is key. By immersing oneself in various aspects of the business and showing genuine interest in the team's work, a more effective and impactful approach to sales emerges, contributing to personal and organizational success. Success for women in engineering relies on a focus on results and unwavering commitment. By consistently delivering on promises and valuing completion, women in various fields can overcome challenges and nurture productive teamwork, leading to concrete achievements. Women bring a distinct perspective to tasks, excelling in multitasking and attention to detail. Their versatile approach, reminiscent of hunting and gathering, proves beneficial in various business aspects. Participation in executive development programs imparts valuable skills applicable to client relationships and career growth. The current era places a stronger emphasis on diversity and inclusion in the AEC industry, acknowledging women's valuable contributions. Companies embracing this trend are likely to offer more leadership roles to women. Mentorship programs, both internal and external, play a key role in career growth, while flexible work arrangements and ongoing training cater to a bett...
In this episode, I talk with On Freund, the co-founder and CEO of Wilco, a startup dedicated to empowering developers to unlock their full potential, about the transformative impact of AI on software engineering. We also dive into the significance of coding as a tool and discuss the importance of training everyone to become engineers in our rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask On:
Could you provide additional details about your startup and its mission to empower developers? Having managed software teams for an extended period, what key insights have you acquired regarding unleashing the full potential of individuals and developers? If you could simulate your career path, would it reveal the infinite possible trajectories it could have taken? Can you discuss your perspective on why AI is causing a shift in software engineering, transforming it from a profession into a skill set? Have you ever found yourself wanting to improve your work processes beyond tools like Excel, and now, with the prospect of using AI, does it seem that your platform is making this advancement accessible to everyone? Why is it important to provide comprehensive training to everyone in today's technology-driven world, and how does this benefit both individuals and society? Which recent trends in the software engineering domain have particularly captured your attention? Could you share any personal experiences where generative AI has had an impact on software engineering processes or outcomes? Is the key challenge primarily about educating people, showing them available options, dispelling misconceptions, and highlighting the technology's potential benefits? How do your hobbies outside of work complement your activities in the software engineering field? What advice would you offer to individuals, whether they are software engineers, engineers from various disciplines, or anyone aiming to excel in the realm of technology?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How AI is Changing the Software Engineering Landscape:
Wilco's mission is to empower developers by bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience in software development. Drawing inspiration from flight simulators, Wilco provides a platform for developers to simulate real-world coding scenarios, enabling them to gain valuable experience in teamwork, product management, and production system maintenance. Varied team cultures influence diverse skill growth. While facing challenges individually can accelerate technical expertise, it's crucial to also value well-rounded development nurtured through teamwork and collaboration in more cohesive settings. Career paths are uncertain, making it hard to take control. By empowering individuals to shape their skills, they can decide what to improve and what to keep steady. AI's impact on software engineering shifts it from a code-centric domain to a versatile skill set. Starting with machine code, the field evolved through higher languages, yet code writing remained paramount. "No-code" and "low-code" solutions promised ease but proved limited. AI then emerged to generate code, yet essential skills like testing and collaboration are still crucial. AI's intervention makes software engineering more inclusive by eliminating coding barriers, democratizing the field, and transforming it into an accessible skill set. As various professionals adopt software engineering skills within their roles, the concept of software engineering as a standalone profession is evolving. This shift highlights a dynamic change toward a versatile skill set, opening new possibilities and substantial opportunities for the engineering field's future. In any profession, using advanced tools like AI automates repetitive tasks,
In this episode, we talk with Seth Scheilz, P.E., a senior geotechnical engineer at Braun Intertec Corporation, about subsurface exploration and advanced in situ testing techniques for engineers meticulously curated to empower and enlighten engineers.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Seth:
What are your thoughts on the significance of sub-service exploration and advancements in in-situ testing? What advice do you have for geotechnical engineers seeking to gain more experience in sub-service exploration and in-situ testing? How can geotechnical engineers seamlessly integrate the findings from sub-surface exploration and advanced in-situ testing into their design and analysis procedures? What specific challenges or considerations should geotechnical engineers bear in mind when planning and implementing a subsurface exploration program? How have your experiences with SPT, torque seismic, CPT, PMT, and other testing techniques influenced and shaped your career as a geotechnical engineer? What emerging technologies or methodologies do you think geotechnical engineers should be aware of and explore for their professional growth? Have you experienced a case where subsurface exploration or in-situ testing had a significant impact on a project? What are effective ways for geotechnical engineers to stay updated on the latest advancements and research in sub-surface exploration and in-situ testing? What final advice would you give to aspiring geotechnical engineers aiming to make a meaningful contribution to the field of subsurface exploration and advanced in-situ testing throughout their careers? Can you recall a specific instance when sub-surface exploration and advanced in-situ testing had a significant impact on the career trajectory of a geotechnical professional?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Geotechnical Exploration Can Improve Your Construction Projects:
Making an early investment in comprehensive in-situ testing and gathering detailed geotechnical information proves essential in minimizing uncertainties and mitigating risks during construction. By thoroughly understanding soil strength, rock types, and other critical factors, the project team can optimize designs, reduce concrete requirements, and secure better pricing from contractors. This proactive approach adds significant value to the project, benefiting all stakeholders involved and ensuring a smoother and more cost-effective construction process. For geotechnical engineers to gain more expertise in sub-surface exploration and in-situ testing, working on complex projects with experienced mentors and utilizing various testing methods proves valuable. Geotechnical engineers face soil variability and should adopt best practices for data collection. This includes desktop reviews and defining parameters through collaboration with the design team and owner. Careful evaluation of data quality is crucial before incorporating it into solutions. Adaptation to field challenges is necessary, as experiences can vary significantly. Some testing methods yield valuable results, while adjustments may be needed for others. Geotechnical engineers encounter technical and practical challenges in subsurface exploration. They must be flexible in data collection, adapt to real-time challenges, and effectively communicate the value of recommended testing methods to clients and design team members. Experiencing different testing techniques allows geotechnical engineers to travel, encounter diverse geologies, and visualize site conditions for better construction understanding. Geotechnical engineers should explore photogrammetry or LIDAR for ground monitoring and instrumented drill rigs to understand soil properties, presenting exciting opportunities for professional growth. During a sewer conveyance tunnel project,
In this episode, we talk with Erin Thorp, a highly accomplished civil engineer, keynote speaker, writer, and coach, about how to approach tough conversations with emotional intelligence in both your personal and professional life.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in the Construction Industry:
Women in construction are often told that they are too emotional. However, emotions are a normal part of being human and can be a strength in the workplace. By understanding your emotions and how they affect you, you can learn to use them to your advantage. You can also learn to be more understanding of the emotions of others. Emotional suppression and overly emotional responses can be a problem in the workplace. They can lead to poor decision-making and communication. One way to address this problem is to teach people how to manage their emotions. Empathy is a powerful skill that can help us to build better relationships and make better decisions. By teaching people how to be more empathetic, we can create a more productive and positive workplace. People who struggle with difficult conversations can build confidence by practicing with someone they trust and by understanding what triggers them emotionally. By anticipating and understanding their own emotions, people can better manage difficult conversations and avoid getting triggered themselves. Difficult conversations can be stressful and emotional, but it is important to be prepared. By practicing emotional intelligence, regulation, and awareness, you can better manage your own emotions and be more effective in the conversation. It is also important to try to understand the other person's perspective and why they may be feeling the way they are. By doing this, you can have a more productive and respectful conversation. When giving feedback, it is important to state your intention upfront. This will help the other person understand your motivation for giving the feedback and why you are sharing it. It will also help to reduce the chances of the feedback being misunderstood. Engineering teams can create a more inclusive and productive culture by balancing logic and emotion. Logic is important for solving technical problems, while emotion is important for addressing personal and cultural issues. By finding a balance between the two, teams can make better decisions and create a more welcoming environment for everyone. Maintaining mental and emotional intelligence is an ongoing practice that can be supported by daily check-ins, breathwork, walking, and disconnecting from technology. By sitting with uncomfortable emotions and asking ourselves what they are trying to tell us, we can move through them more quickly.
More in This Episode… In the Take Action Today segment of the show, Erin talks about how you can prepare for a conversation that you know you must have. About the Guest, Erin Thorp Erin Thorp is an empathic keynote speaker, writer, and coach for leaders who struggle with conflict, communication, and performance during high-stress times. She supports leaders in navigating difficult conversations, building powerful teams, and communicating with empathy so they can lead confidently.
Having spent 20 years in the masculine-dominated engineering and construction industries leading teams and delivering projects, Erin had taken notice that her colleagues were highly skilled and cared deeply about their work, but most were incapable of fully holding their own emotions and, therefore, unable to hold the emotions of others. After being told time and time again she was “too emotional” and to “pull herself together,” she realized there was a big gap in what was being taught to technical leaders. She knew that skills often categorized as “soft” — connection, empathy, vulnerability — are the most difficult to learn but are...
In this episode, I talk with Bret Tushaus, VP of Product Management at Deltek, about the importance of project management in the architecture and engineering industry. We explore the benefits of refined project management disciplines and how to select the right project management tools for your organization. Brett also provides great tips for improving project management processes and outcomes.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Bret:
Have you observed any changes or trends in the recognition and significance of project management within the engineering industry? How does implementing refined project management disciplines relate to better project outcomes in firms? How do technology and digital transformation support and refine project management disciplines in the AE field? Have you noticed the significance of training project managers to use technology effectively by focusing on key metrics and generating regular reports to avoid overwhelming information? How should the approach to staffing evolve to prioritize project management, considering its increasing significance in today's context? What are the emerging trends and innovations shaping the future of project management in the AE industry that we should be aware of? What are the best practices or strategies you recommend to AE firms that aim to enhance their project management processes and outcomes significantly?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Choose the Right Project Management Tools for Your Organization:
Over the past five or six years, the engineering industry has increasingly recognized the significance of project management, further amplified by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations now prioritize project management as a top challenge and initiative, emphasizing discipline, best practices, and technology's role in enabling effective project management within their operations. Over the past eight years, project delivery on schedule and within budget declined in surveyed firms. However, with the recent emphasis on project management practices and technology, this trend is starting to reverse. Implementing project management discipline, even in smaller organizations, can significantly improve project outcomes. Early results show a positive correlation between project management focus and better performance in terms of schedule and budget adherence. The growing awareness and interest in digital transformation and project management-based tools have significantly improved the AE field. Technology adoption, especially in PM-related areas, is helping organizations enhance project planning, resource management, KPI monitoring, and timely course correction, aligning with the broader digital transformation trends. Start by identifying the most crucial metrics for your organization's goals and projects before utilizing dashboarding and business intelligence tools to avoid overwhelming noise and ensure clear progress indicators. Establish specific targets or goals for these metrics to accurately measure performance and inform your organization's progress effectively. A deliberate approach to staffing and developing project managers is essential in creating a strong project management culture within organizations, avoiding assumptions, and implementing effective training programs to identify suitable candidates for these roles. The megatrend in the AE industry is a growing emphasis on project management, leading to improved project performance. In the future, project management will be more seamlessly integrated into daily processes and technology solutions for increased adoption. The best practices for AE firms seeking to enhance their project management processes and outcomes include being deliberate in selecting project managers and establishing PMOs,
In this episode, I talk with Kyle O'Hearn, P.E., CEO & Founder at DEKAT Engineering LLC, and Dinesh Panta, President & Founder at DEKAT Engineering LLC, about running a successful 24/7 Engineering Firm. Kyle and Dinesh provide invaluable insights on various aspects such as strategies, challenges, financial considerations, team management, client attraction, and having a global presence for structural engineering firms.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Kyle and Dinesh:
What is the origin of the unique name "DEKAT" considering your extensive travels all over the world? How does your ability to operate and manage a 24/7 engineering firm provide advantages to your business, and could you explain how this system works? How does embracing communication technology and operating across different time zones make your company more agile compared to firms from a decade ago? What were the essential factors in managing a 24/7 engineering firm for long-term success? What strategies do you employ to overcome or mitigate the challenges that arise when running or starting your own business? How important is valuing the relationship with your clients and people on a personal level, and what impact does it have on the success of your business? What is your strategy and mindset for team management, particularly for structural engineers, to develop a cohesive and productive team with a strong focus on management and retention? What strategies do you employ to ensure the smooth operation and growth of your company? Can you share insights on financial aspects like budgeting, pricing, managing cash flow, and strategies that engineers, particularly structural engineers, may not know much about when starting? How do you attract and retain new engineers and employees in the field of structural engineering? How do you ensure the delivery of high-quality engineering services while maintaining profitability? What are the advantages of working in a smaller engineering firm with a focus on mentorship, one-on-one learning, and a culture of continuous learning, compared to larger firms with more specialized roles? Could you share some advice on how to effectively build and nurture relationships with clients, contractors, architects, and other professionals in the industry? What are some of your most valuable lessons or advice for aspiring structural engineers who want to run their own successful business in the future?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Run a Successful 24/7 Engineering Firm:
DEKAT is a company founded with roots in Denver, Colorado, and Kathmandu, Nepal, aiming to establish a presence in both countries. The name "DEKAT" derives from combining the initials of these two locations, while their slogan, "Engineering From Mount Elbert to Mount Everest," captures their mission and passion for the mountains. DEKAT Engineering leverages subcontracted teams in Nepal and Bangladesh, operating around the clock, to provide the fastest turnaround time for projects and achieve a global presence for structural engineering, despite coordination challenges. This approach has contributed to their successful growth as a new startup. During the COVID shutdowns, remote work became the norm, leading to the realization that a global presence for structural engineering firms and collaboration with engineers from distant locations was possible. Tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom enabled efficient work coordination and the establishment of personal relationships across the world. Achieving long-term success in managing an 24/7 engineering firm involves a clear strategy outlining the vision, mission, and goals, catering to a specific target market, prioritizing client satisfaction for repeat business and referrals, and carefully selecting the right talent to promote growth.
In this episode, I talk to you about Antoni Gaudí's remarkable stormwater management techniques showcased in the breathtaking Park Güell, which I recently visited on my trip to Spain, and how it continues to inspire and relate to modern civil engineering practices. The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quote:
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Gaudí's Stormwater Management Techniques:
Antoni Gaudí's brilliance as an architect and professional is worth exploring, and the experience of seeing his work as a civil engineer brings a unique perspective. Beyond aesthetics, civil engineers observe and ponder the functionality of structures, considering design choices and water management processes. Looking through this "lens" offers an intriguing way to view different locations and gain valuable insights while traveling, cultivating a deeper understanding of construction and design practices worldwide.
Park Güell
Antoni Gaudí, a visionary architect, and engineer, displayed brilliance in Park Güell's design, showcasing an innovative irrigation system and seamless blending of aesthetics with practicality. His works in Barcelona and beyond showcase remarkable examples of his ability to integrate nature and patterns harmoniously.
One of Antoni's most famous works includes the ongoing construction of the Sagrada Familia, a captivating church with large towers, and the intriguing houses he designed for wealthy families in Barcelona.
Sagrada Familia Park Güell Walkway
His visionary transformation turned Park Güell into a captivating park with covered walkways, intricate mosaics, and a fascinating irrigation system, showcasing his ahead-of-his-time thinking in green designs and sustainability during the late 1800s.
In Park Güell, Gaudí's brilliant design includes 86 stocky columns resembling a forest, forming a covered courtyard with a gravel base. These columns also serve as the heart of an awe-inspiring irrigation system, efficiently supplying water throughout the park.
Park Güell Columns
When it rains, water gathers in the gravel courtyard of Park Güell. It seeps through the courtyard and flows into pipes within the 86 columns, leading to a subsurface cistern. Engineers use this tank system for park-wide irrigation and fountains, showcasing Gaudí's ingenious water management strategy.
The gravel courtyard of Park Güell Entrance to Park Güell's subsurface cistern
While wandering through Park Güell, the captivating mosaics, views, and pathways might overshadow the irrigation system, even for a stormwater-experienced civil engineer. The hidden engineering marvels are easily overlooked without a knowledgeable tour guide's explanation. Design professionals must collaborate for sustainable designs that harmoniously blend functionality and aesthetics, creating enduring and remarkable creations. Embrace innovation and sustainability in your projects, drawing inspiration from practical projects worldwide. Adopt a holistic approach, collaborating with other professionals to create functional and aesthetically pleasing designs, contributing to sustainable communities globally.
Park Güell's captivating mosaics More Details in This Episode… Sources/References: More About Antoni GaudíPark GüellSagrada FamíliaThe World Through the Eyes of a Civil Engineer This Episode Is Brought to You By: Tensar Tensar, a division of CMC, is a world-leading manufacturer and provider of ground stabilization and soil reinforcement solutions. Our innovative geogrid technology has benefited thousands of civil construction and engineering projects around the world for over 50 years. With our Tensar+ design software, you can design for higher performance and with greater confidence. Designers can export specifications that compare the benefits of Tensar geogrids with other soil stabilization methods. https://www.tensarplus.com
In this episode, I talk with Dan Porcaro, VP of Sales and Partnerships at RoadBotics (now part of Michelin), about the fascinating world of AI road assessment technology. He also talks about the importance of partnerships with civil engineering firms and share some valuable advice for engineers looking to leverage AI and innovative technologies.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dan:
How does RoadBotics' AI-powered road assessments benefit communities worldwide? Could you please provide more specific information about the entities involved in your initiative, particularly if you are referring to dots, cities, municipalities, or other stakeholders? What are some of the challenges your team encountered and what strategies did you employ to overcome them? How did you establish partnerships with civil engineering firms, creatively blending old and new approaches to present a solution that suited everyone's needs and surpassed traditional practices? How does AI help engineers by taking on tedious tasks like crack and pothole counting, allowing them to concentrate on their core expertise? With the recent acquisition of RoadBotics by Michelin, what specific implications and opportunities does this hold for RoadBotics moving forward? What advice would you offer to engineers who want to utilize AI and other innovative technologies in their infrastructure work but are unsure of where to begin or how to proceed?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Improving Road Safety and Efficiency with AI Road Assessment:
Since 2016, the robotics initiative at Carnegie Mellon has developed a user-friendly AI solution that generates pavement condition ratings from smartphone-captured videos, helping communities identify urgent road repairs (rating 5) and excellent road conditions (rating 1). RoadBotics serves two main verticals: cities and municipalities of varying sizes, and numerous engineering firms, both nationally and internationally. Facing outdated civil engineering standards that disregard modern technologies like computer vision and AI can be a challenge. Overcoming this obstacle involves investing time in training AI models using relevant data and seeking feedback from fellow civil engineers and data scientists, enabling continuous learning and substantial progress in enhancing capabilities. Democratizing data collection through a smartphone-mounted solution and AI analysis maximizes value-added time for engineers without replacing them. Consider leveraging this approach to enhance your capabilities. The approach of using AI for tasks like crack and pothole counting enables engineers to focus on their core expertise. By efficiently covering the entire road network through video collection, it ensures consistency and saves time and money compared to manual sampling. Michelin's acquisition of RoadBotics brings excitement as it ensures stability, investment, and continued innovation, allowing them to work closely with customers and engineering firms to enhance their products. When leveraging AI and innovative technologies for infrastructure work, clarify your goals, explore case studies, and consider the reliability of the organization behind the technology.
More Details in This Episode…
About the Guest: Dan Porcaro Dan began his selling journey at New Jersey garage sales before heading to Syracuse for a degree in Supply Chain Management and Entrepreneurship. After tackling various sales and strategy roles in the FMCG world, he came to the flawed realization that two jobs must be better than one. While living in Richmond, VA, he was an adjunct professor at VCU and is currently serving as an officer in the Navy Reserve. Dan has worked cross-functionally to launch brands, grow revenue, and build teams. He has consulted for firms ranging from startups to multibillion-dollar g...
In this episode, we talk to Matthew J. Niermann, P.E., M.ASCE, Vice President at Schnabel, about the fascinating realm of cognitive diversity and its profound impact on teamwork within the engineering industry.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Matthew:
What is the relationship between cognitive diversity and team dynamics? What experiences or insights sparked your interest in cognitive diversity and its impact on team performance? Did you actively seek out and find information on cognitive diversity, ask for approval, and pursue it on your own, or did someone suggest exploring this area due to your existing interest in diversity? Is there a measurable or descriptive way to assess cognitive diversity within a team? Does cognitive diversity, specifically the aspects of cognitive resources, cognitive effect, and cognitive effect, remain constant over time, or is it subject to change and evolution throughout an individual's life? How does cognitive diversity contribute to cultivating effective teamwork within engineering and construction projects? What are the potential trade-offs or challenges that may arise while working with a cognitively diverse team, and how can these challenges be effectively addressed to ensure smooth collaboration? How can teams optimize the benefits of cognitive diversity and mitigate conflicts or communication gaps through practical solutions and strategies? What specific techniques and practices have been implemented within the organization to encourage cognitive diversity and promote enhanced teamwork?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Creating a High-Performing Team with Cognitive Diversity:
Cognitive diversity is about differences in thinking, attitudes, and values among team members. Success depends on managing these differences effectively, as they can lead to either a thriving team or potential obstacles. Matt's interest in cognitive diversity arose from exposure to Dr. Michael Curtin's adaptation innovation theory during a class at Virginia Tech. The organization's culture encourages exploration and flexibility, enabling a thorough examination of cognitive diversity's relevance in team dynamics. Engineers can become aware of cognitive diversity by actively seeking out educational opportunities focused on the subject and being open to exploring diverse perspectives. Understanding cognitive diversity within a team involves examining individuals' cognitive schemas, which consist of cognitive resources (knowledge and experiences), cognitive affect (needs, values, attitudes, and beliefs), and cognitive effect (intellectual level and problem-solving style), enabling effective management and utilization of their collective strengths and perspectives. Cognitive diversity evolves as cognitive resources expand through learning and experiences. Cognitive effects may change and adapt, while aspects like intellectual level and problem-solving style remain constant. Effective teamwork in engineering and construction projects is achieved through diverse teams that bring together individuals with varying thinking styles, approaches, and life experiences, enhancing problem-solving capabilities and leading to optimal or near-optimal solutions. Working with a diverse team can lead to challenges and conflicts due to different perspectives. Effective leadership, understanding of cognitive diversity, and the concept of withholding diversity when necessary are essential for smooth collaboration and successful problem-solving. A crucial truth for effective teamwork and reduced conflict within a diverse team is ensuring that each member feels valued and knows their unique and important role, facilitated by adept leadership that aligns individuals accordingly. The implementation of cognitive diversity and enhanced teamwork involves prioritizing educ...
In this episode, we talk to Robert (Bob) M. Santer, Ph.D., a senior lecturer at Cardiff University, about the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from a new engineering graduate to an engineering professional. We delve into the common hurdles faced by engineering graduates when entering the professional world, the significance of adopting an anthropological perspective […]
The post TECC 308: How to Successfully Transition from Engineering Graduate to Engineering Professional appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Mark H. Wayne, Ph.D., P.E., the Director of Application Technology and Engineering with Tensar, a division of CMC, about the significance of industry standards in the geosynthetic industry and their impact on various applications. Dr. Mark also sheds light on the role of organizations like ASTM and ISO in establishing these standards, and enlightens us on the future evolution of geosynthetic standards.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Mark:
How do industry standards impact the design, construction, and maintenance of geosynthetic applications? You're actively involved with ASTM and ISO. Can you shed some light on the role these organizations play in the adoption of geosynthetic use and the establishment of industry standards? How do ASTM and ISO collaborate with industry professionals and stakeholders to develop and update geosynthetic standards? In your opinion, what are the key challenges in creating and implementing geosynthetic standards, and how do you address them? How does the relationship between full-scale tests and the development of industry standards work? How do the methodologies and protocols used in full-scale testing of geosynthetics contribute to ensuring the reliability and durability of these materials? Can you share some project examples where compliance with industry standards has resulted in notable impacts or improvements? How do you think geosynthetic standards will change in the future, and what new trends or innovations might shape the industry's standards? What advice do you have for aspiring geosynthetic engineers who aim to contribute to the development of industry standards as they progress in their careers?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Geosynthetic Industry Standards Are the Key to Market Growth and Innovation:
Industry standards are essential for the design, construction, and maintenance of geosynthetic applications as they provide consistent testing protocols, ensure reliable strength values, and promote global cooperation in the industry. ASTM and ISO are key organizations in establishing industry standards for geosynthetic applications, with slight differences in membership and protocols. It's important to compare ISO and ASTM standards to ensure design compatibility. ASTM and ISO collaborate with experts and stakeholders to develop and update geosynthetic standards, addressing specific properties needed for different material functions. These standards undergo a consensus-driven process of voting, comments, and revisions to ensure their relevance to evolving industry needs. The development and implementation of geosynthetic standards face challenges that require collaboration with stakeholders interested in utilizing these materials. Organizations like Ashton, the Army Corps of Engineers, and NTP play a significant role in understanding how to design and incorporate geosynthetics effectively. Specific challenges arise in determining the right material specifications and ensuring proper design for applications such as building walls or erosion control. Collaboration between manufacturers, industry experts, and standards organizations helps overcome these challenges by establishing comprehensive standards, guidance documents, and checklists. The consensus-driven process allows for the inclusion of various perspectives and ensures the reliability and safety of geosynthetic applications. Full-scale tests play a crucial role in evaluating the performance and benefits of geosynthetic applications, providing valuable insights into material behavior, load capacity, and long-term durability. These tests allow engineers to assess the effectiveness of geosynthetics in areas like road construction, landfills, and bridges by replicating real-world conditions and monitoring performance over time.
In this episode, we talk with Niklas W. Vigener, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, senior principal, and chief technical officer at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc (SGH) about how they have pushed the boundaries of innovation in engineering, emphasizing the importance of embracing a “what’s possible?” mentality. He also talks about the significance of fostering partnerships […]
The post TECC 307: Driving Change and Solving Complex Problems with Innovation in Engineering appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Surya Oruganti, founder and CEO at Argonaut, a software development firm specializing in cloud automation. Surya's expertise lies in revolutionizing app deployments and cloud infrastructure management, reducing mobilization time from months to minutes, and in this episode, we talk about how their platform achieves this and the benefits it brings to AEC firms. He also provides some great tips for simplifying company infrastructure, managing cloud spending, and overcoming challenges in transitioning to the cloud.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Surya:
Could you explain how your platform automates app deployments and the underlying infrastructure, as well as the significant benefits it brings to your clients? Could you share some tips or best practices for simplifying a company's infrastructure and optimizing its toolset? How does the fit between founders and their products, along with scaling a Lean team, improve the end-user experience in startups with a customer-centric approach? Could you provide insights on the strategies employed to effectively manage cloud spending for AEC companies and prevent it from becoming overwhelming when making organizational decisions? How do you prioritize features to maximize the benefit to end users while considering cost implications and distinguishing between essential and fringe beneficial features? Could you provide further insights on data security and privacy concerns? Do you have any additional insights or elaborations on privacy, given its significance and varying regulations in different regions? What final advice would you give VC firms in the AEC industry considering a transition to the cloud for a successful migration?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Cloud Infrastructure Management:
Argonaut's platform automates app deployments and streamlines infrastructure management, simplifying complex workflows. It handles tasks ranging from provisioning cloud infrastructure to code execution and scalable deployment. By eliminating the need for in-house development of these processes, it saves time and effort for organizations. The solution ensures scalability, adherence to best practices, and seamless integration with users' preferred tools. To simplify company infrastructure and toolsets, it is important to focus on core business values, reduce maintenance costs, and streamline processes. Consolidating tool suites for non-user-facing tasks helps manage complexity and minimize organizational challenges. Microsoft's success in the enterprise market is a testament to the effectiveness of integrated tools over numerous specialized options. A user-centric approach drives the development process, beginning with a deep understanding of the needs of end users, especially software engineers. By actively gathering and incorporating user feedback, valuable insights are gained, ensuring that solutions align with user requirements. The ownership and empowerment within the development process facilitate the delivery of effective solutions that cater to user needs. Transitioning to the cloud requires addressing challenges such as cost visibility, resource over-provisioning, and inventory management to effectively manage cloud spending for AEC companies. Effective feature prioritization in product management involves understanding organizational context, identifying user needs, aligning them with product goals, considering stakeholder perspectives, conducting user research, and leveraging frameworks for adoption and value delivery. Addressing data security concerns involves minimizing the attack surface, implementing the principle of least privilege, utilizing automated access controls and policies, employing security mechanisms like VPNs and firewalls, and following privacy regulations while collecting the l...
In this episode, I talk about how to balance professional development activities while effectively managing or leading your team as a geotechnical engineer. You can view the video version for this episode here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Balance Professional Development with Team Leadership as a Geotechnical Engineer
Continuous professional development provides exposure to cutting-edge research and industry trends, benefiting individual geotechnical engineers and their teams. Strategic delegation and trust empower team members while managing responsibilities and pursuing professional development. Effective communication and regular check-ins maintain team cohesion during periods of professional development. A supportive environment that encourages growth and knowledge-sharing promotes a culture of continuous learning within the team. Providing resources and training opportunities supports the professional growth of team members. Collaborative development activities strengthen team bonds and facilitate collective learning. Leading by example by actively engaging in professional development inspires and motivates team members to do the same.
More Details in This Episode…
About the Host: Jared M. Green, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE Jared, originally from southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduated from Syracuse University’s College of Engineering in 2001 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He later went on to attain his M.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Focus) from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Campaign, in 2002. In 2003, he began working in the New York City office of Langan. He has since become a Principal / Vice President and is one of the owners of this international land development engineering consulting firm. After 15 years at Langan, Jared moved to the Philadelphia office and is one of the geotechnical practice leaders in that office.
Jared is a consultant and team leader who also enjoys mentoring young engineers and first-generation college students. He has been instrumental in increasing the number of pre-college students who are interested in STEAM majors and fields. He strives to make complex engineering topics relatable and understandable to people new to the field and to people who are completely unfamiliar with engineering. Jared and his family currently reside in Flemington, New Jersey. He and his wife have three energetic, inquisitive, and awesome children. You can connect with Jared here. Sources/References: Langan Connect with Jared M. Green, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE, on LinkedIn This Episode Is Brought to You By:
Tensar Tensar, a division of CMC, is a world-leading manufacturer and provider of ground stabilization and soil reinforcement solutions. Our innovative geogrid technology has benefited thousands of civil construction and engineering projects around the world for over 50 years. With our Tensar+ design software, you can design for higher performance and with greater confidence. Designers can export specifications that compare the benefits of Tensar geogrids with other soil stabilization methods. https://www.tensarplus.com Simpson Strong-Tie Simpson Strong-Tie is a building-industry leader committed to helping people design and build safer stronger homes, structures, and communities. Our employees are passionate about innovative technology, engineering, and building a better world. We believe true success is achieved together. Come build with us at strongtie.com.
Please leave your comments or questions in the section below on how you balance professional development with team leadership as a geotechnical engineer.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider downloading our free list of 33 Productivity Routines of Top Engineering Executives. Click the button below to download.
Download the Productivity Routines
To your success,
Jared M. Green, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE
Don In this episode, we talk with Donnell Duncan, P.E., S.E., an accomplished author, captivating speaker, and associate vice president at Arcadis, about some of the challenges and opportunities that engineers encounter in our rapidly evolving marketplace, and how you can adapt to these changes by thinking strategically. ***The video version of this episode can […]
The post TECC 306: How to Think Strategically and Be a Successful Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Roger Kodsi, P.Eng, a structural engineer at The Engineering Company Ltd, about his experience working for both small and large firms. Get ready for a fascinating conversation about the dynamics of fieldwork versus office work, the advantages and disadvantages of big firms versus small firms, and the importance of personal goals and growth in your structural engineering career.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Roger:
As someone who has worked in both smaller and larger firms, could you share your experience regarding office work and fieldwork in the context of structural engineering? How does fieldwork in structural engineering enhance knowledge and communication skills compared to office-based work? What are the advantages and disadvantages of working for both big and small firms, and how has this impacted your structural engineering career growth and professional development? Do company dynamics and management styles vary based on size and type, and to what extent do personal experiences and individual company practices influence these factors? What advice would you give to someone transitioning from a big firm to a smaller firm, or vice versa, on how to successfully navigate and adapt to the new work environment? Do you believe structural engineers must have a defined goal or game plan in their career, and if so, how would you recommend they start and approach the planning process? What key moments in your academic and professional journey shifted your mindset from uncertainty to purpose, leading to significant growth and progress in your career? What advice would you give to younger structural engineers starting their careers in terms of maintaining accountability, staying focused on long-term goals, and effectively working toward them? What advice do you have for mid-career engineers aiming for career advancement and success?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Exploring Success and Growth in Your Structural Engineering Career Journey:
Fieldwork and office work in structural engineering exhibit contrasting characteristics. In fieldwork, engineers engage in practical tasks, navigate a diverse environment, and gain hands-on experience, while office work emphasizes traditional design, analysis, and collaborative efforts. Fieldwork in structural engineering offers the opportunity to address real-world challenges and bridge the gap between office designs and on-site feasibility, which promotes collaboration, efficiency, and cost-effective solutions. Working in big firms can sometimes make employees feel like mere numbers, with a focus on production and less emphasis on personal relationships, while small firms prioritize accountability and efficiency, and encourage closer client interactions and personal growth opportunities. Working in different-sized companies can reveal varying levels of personal growth and recognition. In smaller companies, individual performance directly reflects one's value, with rewards aligned accordingly. However, in larger companies, decisions and opportunities for growth often depend on higher-level considerations, such as budget and project needs, which can sometimes make individuals feel unheard. The smaller team dynamics allowed for a more personable experience, while bigger companies tended to prioritize overall team performance rather than individual contributions. The main difference between larger and smaller firms is the level of support and problem-solving efficiency. In larger firms, navigating multiple channels and scheduling meetings can cause delays, requiring strong time management skills. In smaller firms, the work environment is more personable, enabling quick issue resolution. Transitioning from small to large firms develops problem-solving skills while transitioning from large to small fir...
In this episode, I talk to Steve Dell’Orto, the founder and CEO of ConCntric, a preconstruction platform that is transforming the fractured preconstruction environment by unifying data, people, and processes. We talk about evolving industry challenges and why it is so important to make preconstruction planning a top priority.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Steve:
Could you please provide an overview of preconstruction planning and its importance in the rapidly changing construction industry of today? What are the significant challenges currently faced by the construction industry, and how can effective forecasting and preconstruction planning aid in mitigating or overcoming these obstacles? How can unifying processes, data, and workflows, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders in the construction and real estate industry contribute to achieving greater certainty in project outcomes? Could you provide more details on how ConCntric addresses gaps in the preconstruction environment and what makes it a dynamic preconstruction ecosystem? How would you describe ConCntric, a software that consolidates and organizes preconstruction data, into a single umbrella or database? What industries or project types can gain the greatest benefits by emphasizing preconstruction planning? How do you see preconstruction planning evolving in civil engineering, and what emerging trends and advancements do you anticipate to enhance its significance in the construction industry?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Preconstruction Planning Can Improve Efficiency and Reduce Costs in Civil Engineering:
Preconstruction planning is the crucial stage that precedes construction, encompassing design refinement, budgeting, scheduling, logistics, and permitting, where collaborative efforts among stakeholders shape the foundation for a successful project. The construction industry faces various challenges, and achieving a certainty of outcome is a shared objective. By leveraging prior experiences, data-driven decision-making, and effective preconstruction planning, accurate forecasting can mitigate risks, control costs, adhere to schedules, and deliver successful projects for all stakeholders. In the construction and real estate industry, promoting collaboration, capturing and utilizing data, and implementing unified workflows can help identify and mitigate risks, eliminating uncertainty and driving better project outcomes. The preconstruction environment has been filled with gaps and ad hoc solutions, lacking a unified ecosystem. ConCntric addresses these gaps by providing structured workflows and leveraging data, allowing for better collaboration and informed decision-making. By uniting various workflows and presenting data in a clear and visual manner, ConCntric enables a higher degree of metrics, analytics, and risk mitigation that leads to improved project outcomes and the ability to leverage historical data for future projects. ConCntric provides a centralized platform for all preconstruction activities, enabling stakeholders to collaborate, access updated project data, and make informed decisions effortlessly. By automating data retrieval and streamlining workflows, the software reduces manual effort and promotes successful project outcomes. Comprehensive preconstruction planning benefits projects of all types, reducing costs, eliminating contingencies, and ensuring greater project viability, thereby positively impacting the construction industry and the broader economy. The industry is shifting toward collaborative delivery, involving contractors, owners, and design teams early in the planning stage, to enhance project outcomes and achieve greater certainty.
More Details in This Episode…
About Steve Dell’Orto Steve Dell’Orto is the founder and CEO of ConCntric,
In this episode, I talk to Dr. Joseph M. Burgett, Ph.D., an associate professor at Clemson University, about the fascinating intersection of drones in construction. Joe talks about how data drones collect data and how contractors, designers, and project owners utilize this information. We also delve into the process of obtaining a drone license, starting a drone program, and the available training options out there.
You can view the video version of this episode here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Joseph:
Could you provide a comprehensive overview of drones, including their capabilities and the specific types of data they can collect within the built environment? How do contractors, designers, and project owners effectively utilize the data collected by drones equipped with one of the four types of sensors in construction projects? How have drones revolutionized progress tracking on job sites, offering a more efficient and effective alternative to traditional methods of manually documenting installed materials and project milestones? Could you provide insights into the process of obtaining a drone pilot's license, including the requirements and steps involved? Can you discuss starting a drone program in a company and whether in-house pilots are necessary for obtaining the data needed to transform it into actionable information? What would be your advice for individuals and organizations looking to integrate drones and drone technology into their projects?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Using Drones in Construction Is a Cost-Effective Way to Improve Safety and Efficiency:
Drones are versatile tools for data capture in different industries. They utilize various sensors, including RGB cameras for photography and video, thermography for detecting energy leaks and defects, LIDAR for precise surveying, and multi-spectral sensors for agricultural analysis. Drones provide multiple benefits in construction projects, including capturing marketing visuals, conducting aerial inspections, enabling real-time broadcasting, creating 3D models, enhancing liability control, and utilizing thermography for identifying insulation gaps, leaks, and roofing issues. Drones revolutionize data management by organizing and packaging vast amounts of construction data into meaningful 3D models that can be easily explored and analyzed. This enables efficient progress tracking and facilitates communication between different stakeholders, even those who can't physically visit the job site, providing valuable insights and guidance based on the comprehensive visual representation of the project's current state. Obtaining a drone pilot's license for commercial purposes involves studying and passing the FAA's Part 107 test, which can be prepared for through online training courses. The license demonstrates regulatory compliance and is required to legally operate drones. While passing the knowledge test is essential, it doesn't assess flying proficiency. Additional training and skills development is recommended to effectively use the collected data, such as mission planning, airspace checks, photogrammetry for creating 3D models, and thermography for infrared imaging. If you're not interested in having in-house drone pilots, there are alternative options for obtaining drone data, such as subcontracting to private companies or utilizing drone collection services like DroneUp. But, if you plan to use drone data frequently, investing in the technology and training pilots in-house can be a cost-effective, long-term solution. The cost of equipment has decreased, and training programs like Clemson's online professional development drone course offer comprehensive training in Part 107, photogrammetry, thermography, and flying skills. By investing in training and purchasing drones, companies can leverage drone data on multiple projects for years to come.
In this episode, we talk to Megan Nugent, EIT, a project engineer for Geotechnical Services at Colliers Engineering & Design. Megan shares her insights into the world of geotechnical engineering and discusses an intriguing project called Riverton. We explore Riverton's central location, diverse soils, ground improvement processes, and the innovative use of processed dredge material.
The video version of this episode can be viewed here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Megan:
Can you provide some insights on the central location of the Riverton project, including its proximity to major roadways and transportation hubs? Could you provide some information about the variability of the soils present in the project area and the ground improvement processes that have been implemented? How does the citrus soil cement blending contribute to the stabilization of materials, particularly in the context of on-site dams and below-building pads? What method or equipment are you using to create these cells or volumes? Can you provide some insight into the implementation of deep dynamic compaction for the sandier sections of the site? What specific monitoring instruments or techniques are used to ensure the surcharge's effectiveness and determine the appropriate timing for its removal? From a geotechnical standpoint, is there typically just one person overseeing everything at any given time, or are there multiple individuals involved? Can you explain how the processed dredge material is used in filling at Riverton, and how you handle its sensitivity to moisture during placement? How have formal and informal mentoring relationships influenced your growth as an engineer and supported you on this project? Can you share other interesting or challenging projects that you worked on within your area of expertise? What are the anticipated benefits of the engineering strategies in Riverton in terms of project success and long-term sustainability? What advice would you give to aspiring geotechnical engineers, and what key lessons have shaped your perspective on the work?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Riverton Project: Ground Improvement, Engineering Strategies, and Future Prospects
Riverton is one of the largest brownfield redevelopment sites in New Jersey, centrally located in Sayreville with its exit off the Garden State Parkway and near Route 9, Route 35, 440, and the New Jersey Turnpike, offering excellent transportation access. It also has several miles of frontage on the Raritan River and Raritan Bay, spanning over 400 acres and featuring proposed mixed-use development opportunities. Covering over 400 acres, the project area exhibits diverse geology, including soft river settlement, loose sands over clay, and stiff clays with lagoons from previous manufacturing facilities. Ground improvement techniques such as soil stabilization, deep dynamic compaction, surcharging, and the use of processed dredge material have been implemented to address these soil variations. The poor soils in the lagoon area are stabilized by blending them with Portland cement, using a higher ratio for full-depth mixing under the proposed Bass Pro shops and a lower ratio for the dam due to lighter future development loading. The process of creating the dam involves a trial-and-error approach, using excavator buckets to pump Portland cement into large boxes to prevent it from escaping due to wind, and then mixing the cement with the excavator buckets while conducting control testing. Deep dynamic compaction was used in a limited area of the site due to the presence of shallow sands above clays, which are prone to liquefaction, showcasing a somewhat primitive yet fascinating technique of dropping a substantial weight to address the issue primarily associated with the surface soils. Two surcharge programs larger than 25 acres have been completed,
In this episode, I speak with Doug Berschauer, P.E., the Project Delivery Officer and Water Technology Lead for Parametrix, about the art of public speaking. Discover Doug’s journey to becoming an accomplished speaker and gain valuable advice for engineers aspiring to improve their public speaking skills. ***The video version of this episodes can be […]
The post TECC 305: A Guide for Engineers on How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Katerina Psora, BSc (Hons), MSc, GMICE, a structural engineer at Pell Frischmann, about the pivotal role that developing soft skills as an engineer has in achieving success in complex engineering projects.
You can view the video version of this episode here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Katerina:
How does your understanding of communication leadership and proficiency in interpersonal skills contribute to success in our field? Which specific soft skills do you personally find most valuable in your role? How do you ensure clear and effective communication with both your team members and the clients and stakeholders involved in the project? Can you provide an example for our audience of how soft skills assist you in addressing complex engineering challenges? How do you maintain motivation and adaptability in the face of unexpected project changes or demanding deadlines? What strategies do you employ to navigate conflicts or disagreements with your team or clients? How do you strike a balance between the technical aspects of your work and the soft skills necessary for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in projects? What advice or tips can you provide aspiring structural engineers to develop and enhance their soft skills throughout their careers?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Develop Your Soft Skills as an Engineer:
Soft skills, particularly communication, are vital for engineers' success. Effective leadership involves coaching and mentoring, while communication entails clear written and verbal expression. Interpersonal skills, such as friendliness and diplomacy, greatly contribute to professional performance. Valuable soft skills in structural engineering include collaborating with diverse disciplines, meeting deadlines, managing time efficiently, adapting to changes, and taking responsibility under pressure. Clear and effective communication involves simplifying information based on the audience, focusing on understanding their needs, and straightforwardly conveying the message. Soft skills play a vital role in addressing a complex engineering challenge. For example, discrepancies between the archive drawings and actual conditions during construction required effective communication, critical thinking, and a compromise on architectural space to find a suitable solution. To stay motivated and adaptable during unexpected changes or tight deadlines, prioritize tasks, communicate clearly with the client, collaborate with the team, and break down tasks into manageable steps. To navigate conflicts or disagreements, build strong relationships beforehand, stay calm, maintain respect, understand others' perspectives, and find collaborative solutions that work for all parties involved. To balance technical expertise with soft skills as a structural engineer, prioritize simplicity, understand the audience's concerns, and provide essential information about the design while avoiding unnecessary details. To enhance soft skills, aspiring structural engineers should embrace a growth mindset, actively participate in networking and industry events, seek feedback from mentors, and prioritize ongoing professional development.
More Details in This Episode…
About the Guest: Katerina Psora, BSc (Hons), MSc, GMICE Katerina Psora is an accomplished structural engineer with extensive experience in both the design of new structures and the assessment of refurbished structures. Throughout her career, she has contributed to a wide range of projects, gaining invaluable exposure to the diverse challenges faced in the commercial building sector.
With a strong command of engineering software such as SCIA Engineer, AutoCAD, Tekla Structural Designer, Ram Concept, Abaqus, and SAP2000, Katerina combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of structural eng...
In this episode, we delve into a crucial topic that impacts communities and infrastructure: municipal water and sewer authorities. Joining us is William (Bill) N. Malin, P.E., an expert in the field, who sheds light on the role of these authorities in managing water and sewer infrastructure, the challenges they face, and the vital role grants play in funding infrastructure projects.
You can view the video version of this episode here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Bill:
Can you explain the role of municipal authority in managing water and sewer systems? What services does your firm offer to municipal authorities and what does the relationship between your firm and the authorities entail? When the authority wants to hire a consulting firm for these services, do they use an RFP or have a specific contract, and how do they initiate the process with your company? Could you provide insights on the current grant landscape offered by municipal authorities? As a consultant and civil engineer, to maximize value for your clients, have you explored and informed them about potentially unknown grants that could benefit their projects? Can you provide insights on the types of projects typically supported by the Department of Economic Development and Commonwealth Financing Authority grants, and explain how municipal authorities can benefit from them? What are the key considerations, challenges, specific requirements, and best practices that municipal authorities should keep in mind when applying for and managing grants? How do grants support the long-term sustainability and improvement of water and sewer systems managed by municipal authorities, and what future trends and opportunities do you foresee in this area?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Importance of Grants in Funding Municipal Water and Sewer Infrastructure Projects:
A municipal authority is a separate government entity responsible for managing specific tasks like water and sewer systems, operating independently from the local municipality. Carroll Engineering Corporation provides a full range of engineering services, including capital planning, design, bidding, construction administration, and financial assistance, through bond issues and borrowings. Their expertise ensures that the authority's debt is separate from the Township debt, minimizing the impact on the tax base. They also conduct rate studies and offer budgeting support. Authorities often appoint consultants through a two-step process, where firms are initially screened based on their qualifications, followed by interviews to select the most suitable candidate. These appointments can occur through personal relationships or direct requests, with authorities considering both expertise and anticipated costs when making their final decision. In Pennsylvania, there has been a significant increase in grant funding over the past few years, including state-funded programs, casino-related grants, and federal funding through ARPA in response to COVID-19. Carroll Engineering Corporation's Grant Solutions team was created to research and target diverse grant programs, assisting clients, especially small municipalities with limited tax bases, in addressing their capital needs. The DCD and CFA in Pennsylvania guide municipalities and authorities in accessing grant money for various projects, including water and wastewater infrastructure, stormwater management, flood protection, stream improvements, and parks and recreation. They allocate funds ranging from small scale to multimillion-dollar projects based on expertise and program availability. A major challenge for municipal authorities is being unprepared when grant opportunities arise, as there is a limited time frame for application submission. Authorities must have project ideas, cost estimates, and necessary documentation ready.
In this episode, I talk with Aaron Moncur, CEO and founder of Pipeline Design & Engineering about how to boost your productivity as an engineer, master time management, and honing effective communication skills. He also take us on his personal journey from being laid off to becoming a thriving business owner and explain how you can do it too!
You can view the video version of this episode here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Aaron:
Can you explain your process from generating an idea to executing it and eventually launching a product? How do you maintain focus on your goals and stay productive both individually and as a team leader? Do you have a specific time management system, like your system for lists, long-term goals, and short-term task planning, that you utilize? What strategies do you use to ensure clear communication, resolve conflicts, and address any misunderstandings effectively? Could you please share some insights into your experience of starting your own business after being laid off and provide advice for others in a similar situation? Is the choice between being an employee and an entrepreneur a subjective decision that depends on individual preferences and fulfillment? Do you have any advice for individuals aspiring to become entrepreneurs or pursue careers in mechanical engineering or product development?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Boost Your Productivity as an Engineer:
The product development process involves defining user needs, translating them into technical requirements, and creating rough concepts through sketching and 3D modeling. Prototypes are built and tested using various materials. Once validated, designs are detailed, manufacturing documentation is prepared, and the project is transferred to manufacturing. Creating reusable libraries and focusing on quick iterations are key efficiency measures in the process. Clear goals and effective systems are essential for productivity and success. Define objectives, break them into manageable tasks, and use tools like reminders and lists. Regularly review goals, plan weekly schedules, and allocate time wisely. Effective time management involves utilizing a calendar to schedule tasks and prioritizing them accordingly. Avoiding distractions by turning off notifications and creating focused work environments, whether in the office or at home, allows you to boost your productivity as an engineer. Delegating tasks whenever possible, particularly those that can be handled by others, enables individuals to concentrate on responsibilities that require their unique skills and expertise. Conversations are important for effective communication. They help us understand, resolve conflicts, and make better decisions. Using questions instead of statements and being polite are crucial for positive interactions. Experiencing job loss can lead to unexpected discoveries and personal growth. It emphasizes the significance of finding fulfillment through a sense of ownership and highlights the importance of reflecting on long-term goals and happiness before considering entrepreneurship. Transitioning from a structured work environment to starting a personal business can bring about a shift in perspective. Dedicating yourself to a 60 to 70-hour week is driven by the autonomy and freedom that entrepreneurship provides. It is important to hire top talent early on because skilled individuals play a crucial role in building a successful business. While technical skills are important for engineers, exceptional communication skills can significantly enhance career prospects. Good technical skills can take you far, but excellent communication skills have almost no limits in terms of career growth. Investing time in improving written and verbal communication, including tone and facial expressions, is crucial. Seeking exposure to new ideas through books,
In this episode, we talk to L. Sebastian Bryson, Ph.D., P.E., D. GE, F.ASCE, the Hardin-Drnevich-Huang Professor of Civil Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering with a joint appointment in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Kentucky, as well as the current Department Chair for the Department of Civil Engineering. Dr. Bryson shares insights on utilizing satellite data to assess and predict landslides and also discusses some of the challenges and limitations encountered when utilizing satellite data for landslide assessment and prediction.
You can view the video version of this episode here. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Sebastian:
Could you explain geo-hazard assessments and their relation to your current research on landslides? How are satellite data and remote sensing techniques utilized for assessing and predicting landslides, and could you provide examples and the types of data collected and analyzed in this field? How do you analyze satellite data to identify specific regions or communities? What are the primary benefits of utilizing satellite data in landslide assessment as opposed to conventional methods? Could you provide an overview of your current research projects focused on landslide geohazard assessment and prediction, highlighting their key objectives and potential implications? Can you please explain the deformation-based design methodology in geotechnical engineering and discuss its significance in the field? What challenges and limitations have you faced in utilizing satellite data for landslide assessments and prediction, and how do you plan to tackle them in your research? What are some other geotechnical or geohazard applications for satellite data, besides landslides, such as monitoring cars and surface depressions, and are there any other potential uses for this technology? How have your recognitions as a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and as a certified Diplomate Geotechnical Engineer (DE) by the Academy of Geo Professionals enhanced your work and research in geotechnical engineering? What advice would you offer to students or aspiring researchers interested in pursuing a career in geotechnical engineering, specifically in utilizing satellite data for specialized Geo hazard assessment? Could you provide any additional resources or references for listeners interested in learning more about utilizing satellite data for land-side assessments and predictions?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Satellite Data Is Being Used to Save Lives From Landslides
Geo hazards, including earthquakes, sinkholes, landslides, and mudslides, fall into the category of geohazards. Assessments involve evaluating the current stability and extent of these hazards, while prediction aims to forecast landslides and potentially expand to sinkholes using satellite data. My research focuses on landslide hazard assessment and prediction for understanding causes and predicting occurrences. Satellite data on ground moisture, surface temperature, and atmospheric pressure can be used to analyze conditions before, during, and after landslides, enabling the prediction of future events by integrating these variables into stability models that relate shear strength variations to moisture content and factor of safety. To utilize satellite data effectively for site analysis requires downsampling the coarse resolution data to a finer scale and then using techniques like machine learning to propagate surface-based measurements, such as moisture and temperature, down to the subsurface level for accurate stability testing of specific features like hill slopes. To conduct site-level analysis and evaluate factors such as slope stability at depths of 3 meters, the satellite data, initially acquired with a resolution of 36 by 36-kilometer pixels,
In this episode, I discuss the biggest failure in AE consulting firms' development of project managers, which is neglecting to educate the project managers' managers. This failure results in a lack of reinforcement for the training provided, rendering it ineffective and wasteful of time and resources. To address this issue, I propose three specific actions based on my experience in designing custom programs with firms, ensuring the transfer of learning back to the job.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Ways to Get Your Project Managers' Managers on Board: Building a sustainable and consistent project management culture in consulting firms requires the active involvement of project managers' managers. They play a critical role in supporting and reinforcing project management practices throughout the organization. Despite investing in custom project management development programs, many firms fail to give adequate attention to PMs' managers. These managers are often excluded from the training and learning process, which can hinder the effective implementation of project management principles. Organizations can leverage “The Six Disciplines of Breakthrough Learning” by Pollock and Jefferson to provide a structured and proven approach to driving learning transfer and ensuring that the knowledge gained in training programs is effectively applied in real-world scenarios. The traditional approach of one-off training programs, such as PM boot camps, often fails to deliver lasting results. Participants receive a wealth of information but lack opportunities to practice and reinforce their learning. By spacing out the training and incorporating reinforcement activities, organizations can enhance the effectiveness of their development programs. Just as a child needs support from their parents to practice a new language, PM's require ongoing guidance and reinforcement from their managers to apply the concepts, templates, and tools taught in the training program.To Ensure the Active Involvement and Support of PMS’ Managers, Organizations Can Take Three Key Actions: Involve PMs' managers in the development program whenever feasible. If you have an in-house or custom program, integrate the PMs' managers into it. Allow them to contribute and interact with the participants by giving portions of the program and training sessions. Create a crash course for PMs' managers, providing a summary of the project management program and its key content. For example, if five of my PMs are undergoing a training program, as their manager, I would receive a 90-minute crash course on their training instead of attending the full 10-hour session. This enables me to grasp the essential concepts they are learning and reinforce them effectively. Establish consistent project management touchpoints, such as regular coaching calls or interactive sessions, where project managers and their managers can discuss current project management updates within the organization. This includes sharing experiences from successful or unsuccessful projects, addressing issues like scope creep or overages, and brainstorming preventive measures for future projects. By taking these steps, organizations send a clear message that project management is valued and prioritized within the company's culture. This support not only reinforces project management skills but also promotes a sense of trust and openness, allowing PMs to approach their managers with questions, concerns, or ideas related to project management practices. Project managers are instrumental in driving the success and profitability of consulting firms. Investing in their development and ensuring the active involvement of PMs' managers is vital for long-term growth and organizational success.More Details in This Episode…Books Mentioned in This Episode:
In this episode, we talk with Arda Ozum, P.Eng., a structural engineer and founder of Acius Engineering about some of the challenges faced with wet-set anchor bolts and concrete foundations and how you can overcome it. Arda also talks about the hurdles he encountered as an entrepreneur while launching a patented product and provides great advice on how you can successfully bring your product ideas to market.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Arda: What are the challenges with wet-set anchor bolts and concrete foundations? How did the challenges you encountered in different projects inspire the creation of BoltRail? What specifically motivated you to fully commit to addressing the challenges associated with wet-set anchor bolts and pursuing the development of BoltRail? What is BoltRail? How does it address the challenges you observed with wet-set anchor bolts and how does it work in effectively resolving these issues? When pouring concrete and setting anchor bolts, is it common practice to use multiple bolts on a job and then reuse them for subsequent projects after they are removed? Is it possible to avoid the need for extensive post-pour fixes by ensuring that the back-end is poured correctly initially? What were the major challenges you encountered as an entrepreneur when launching a product like BoltRail? What advice do you have for someone with a great product idea but unsure of how to proceed? What valuable lessons did you learn as an entrepreneur that you believe could benefit others? What advice would you give to someone with an engineering background who wants to pursue a career in entrepreneurship or start their own business?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Streamlining Construction with Game-Changing Anchor Bolts: BoltRail was inspired by the common challenges of misaligned and leaning anchor bolts in concrete foundations. Contractors often resort to risky practices, like using sledgehammers or manually adjusting bolts, resulting in potential damage and project delays. Getting anchor bolts right is critical as it impacts the overall success of the project, making it a challenging last step in construction. The idea for BoltRail unexpectedly struck while assembling a BBQ, observing the precise alignment of the packaging. This sparked the question of why there wasn't a similar solution for anchor bolts in concrete. Inspired by this realization, Arda shared the idea with his father, leading to the pursuit of developing BoltRail. The decision to develop BoltRail was driven by Arda's deep understanding of the industry's challenges with wet-set anchor bolts. The lack of standardization, labor-intensive processes, and the potential for significant time and labor savings motivated the pursuit of a simple and reusable solution. Successful field trials and the approval of patents further reinforced the decision to fully commit to developing BoltRail, despite the obstacles faced. BoltRail is a versatile and reusable prefab template for wet-set anchor bolts. It simplifies the process by eliminating the need for custom templates, reducing labor and costs. The product features adjustable supports and bolt holders for different bolt sizes. It is made of durable glass fiber-reinforced nylon and allows for easy alignment in various forms. During concrete pouring, anchor bolts are often reused on subsequent projects, resulting in significant time, labor, and cost savings. The practice involves using a varying number of bolts based on project size, with some contractors reporting reusing them seven to 10 times. This approach eliminates the need for lumber and plywood templates, reducing material costs. Labor time decreases from an hour to just seven minutes per pile cap. Overall, reusing anchor bolts proves to be a cost-effective solution for construction projects.
In this episode, I talk to John M. Keller, P.E., PMP, executive director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority about the crucial topic of resiliency in the transportation systems. We discuss the challenges the industry faces, its impacts on budgets, the importance of coordination at all levels, the need to be proactive, and the steps transportation agencies need to take now to ease climate change impacts in the future.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask John: What are the major challenges the transportation industry is currently encountering in terms of building resilience? Concerning our projects, does resilience relate to their capacity to effectively confront and overcome adversity? How can we effectively address the financial challenges and budgeting aspects associated with resilience planning and implementation? Why is it important to act on resiliency and prioritize it today? What steps can design engineers take to explore new market opportunities for themselves in the realm of resiliency efforts? What steps need to be taken for effective long-term coordination between local, state, and federal governments to ensure the implementation of resilient initiatives? How can we plan for the future more effectively instead of just reacting to situations as they arise? What advice do you have for transportation industry professionals seeking to enhance their resiliency efforts?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Exploring the Resilience of Transportation Systems in the Face of Challenges: One key challenge for the transportation systems is embracing and understanding the concept of resiliency, which was not widely discussed until recently. Waiting to address it for several decades is not feasible, as implementing small changes now can result in significant future cost savings. Achieving 100% resilience is unrealistic, so the industry must accept it as an ongoing process. Resiliency involves three components: pre-storm preparation, withstanding the event, and post-event response. It encompasses asset management, risk management, and adapting to climate change impacts. Different regions face unique challenges, but the overall approach remains similar. Resiliency requires proactive risk assessment and preparation. It is essential for reliable infrastructure in the face of climate events like heavy rain and heat waves. Financial challenges and budgeting are key considerations in resilience planning. Integrating cost-effective measures into design, such as accounting for rising sea levels when constructing bridges, can save significant expenses in the long run. By investing a bit more upfront, costly retrofits and repairs can be avoided in the future. Resiliency is vital for the well-being of the public. By acting today, we ensure functioning infrastructure and essential services for the future. Building resilience into designs early on is a more manageable and cost-effective approach. Babcock Ranch in Florida exemplifies how investing slightly more in resilient construction yields significant protection during natural disasters. The added cost of resilient infrastructure, like bridges and raised roadways, can be relatively modest. Design engineers can tap into new market opportunities by collaborating with township-level projects, assessing vulnerabilities, and prioritizing investments based on risk assessment. Coordination among stakeholders is key, along with regular maintenance of infrastructure elements. By focusing on vulnerability assessments and proactive measures, design engineers can contribute to quicker recovery and enhanced resilience. Effective coordination between government agencies is crucial for long-term resilience initiatives. In New Jersey, the Interagency Council on Climate Change has facilitated collaboration among key agencies.
In this episode, we talk to Tony Chatman, speaker, author, and corporate relationship expert who has been helping organizations achieve their goals through listening and leadership about how engineers can define and tackle problems in a corporate setting, and the crucial role of listening in effective corporate problem-solving. He also talks about his book, “The […]
The post TECC 304: The Art of Listening and Unlocking Corporate Problem-Solving Success appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with two highly esteemed fire protection engineering professionals: Chris Jelenewicz, P.E., FSFPE, the Interim Chief Executive Officer at SFPE, and Stephen Dale, P.E., CFPS, ARM, the Director of Technical Services at The Cincinnati Insurance Companies. We explore the diverse world of fire protection engineering, discussing its scope, essential skills, and […]
The post TECC 303: Fire Protection Engineering Unveiled: Skills, Career Paths, and Launching Your Journey appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Leo MacLeod, an executive coach and EQ skills trainer who shares insights from his upcoming book called “Coaching & Mentoring for Dummies.” He focuses on three critical steps to transition from a doer to leader. These steps include setting goals, aligning ambitions with company objectives, and developing essential skills. […]
The post TECC 302: Switching from Doer to Leader: The Three Steps of Engineering Leadership Development appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Dimitrios C. Konstantakos, P.E., the founder of Deep Excavation LLC, who has developed highly effective civil engineering software. We delve into his remarkable journey of creating this software from scratch and explore the crucial role that engineers play in shaping the future of our cities and infrastructure.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dimitrios: How did Deep Excavation's civil engineering software, used by thousands of engineers worldwide, come to be from essentially nothing? Can you share more about how it all started and the process of deep excavation on the software side? Could you talk about the process of starting with a minimum viable product to ensure market demand and how it led to quick success for your business? From 2006 to 2010, what were some of the specific challenges that you faced in gaining traction for Deep Excavation's civil engineering software within the industry, and how did you overcome them? Can you provide more information on Deep Excavation, including its civil engineering software and target audience? How is augmented reality becoming significant in the construction industry, especially in terms of providing more simplified and visual information for owners? How is marketing different in the context of construction projects, and how are trends in visualization helping to educate project owners? How are younger engineers utilizing your software, and what advice would you give to them as they begin their careers? What is the importance of output verification in technology, software, and artificial intelligence, and how can we ensure accurate results? How do mid to senior-level engineers and project managers utilize the software, and does this change the previous question's answer on the importance of output verification and relying on experience and expertise? What is the timeline for the shift from hourly rates to lump sum pricing becoming more common in the industry? What is the value of human-to-human connection in engineering and how does the increasing use of software to translate verbal instructions into work products affect that value? With all the advancements in technology, what are the reasons why a competent engineer in the seat won't be replaced by AI? Could you provide some real-life project examples of how deep excavations are being utilized in today's construction industry? What is the extent of your software's usage in different countries around the world? How do you envision your clients all over the world utilizing Deep Excavation software to shape the infrastructure of cities in the next 10 to 15 years, and what role does it play in helping them solve the world's emerging problems? How do you envision the future for your company and what developments are currently on your radar?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About A Journey into Civil Engineering Software Development: Dimitrios developed the software to solve his engineering problems and identified a gap in the market for a more efficient solution. Through perseverance and validation from the industry, he eventually transitioned from a sole developer to providing a vision for the company and tailoring solutions to the needs of their clients, leading to their success. It took Deep Excavation four years to gain significant market traction, with the added challenge of trying to convince a conservative industry to adopt a new solution after the market crash of 2008-2009. The geotechnical community is especially risk-averse due to the nature of their work with soils and underground structures, making it difficult to introduce new technologies and ideas. The success of a software company is dependent on meeting market demands and being adaptable to changing market conditions. It is important to continually iterate and impro...
In this episode, we are joined by Joshua Monroe, CSP, CHST, the Vice President of Safety, Quality, and Compliance at GeoStabilization International, to discuss geohazard mitigation and the crucial role of safety programs in high-risk environments. Joshua shares his expertise on how GeoStabilization International has implemented safety programs and utilized innovative approaches to enhance safety measures. We also delve into the common hazards found on job sites, the training programs necessary to mitigate such risks, and the future of the geohazard mitigation industry.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Josh: How did your experience in the army prepare you for your current role in safety? Can you tell us more about the perimeter protection system project for remote site projects with fall hazards, and how student teams are involved with GIS? What are the most common hazards associated with geohazard mitigation on job sites? What are some ways organizations can implement safety programs, especially for newer firms or those who don't currently have one in place? How do your training programs contribute to creating a safety culture? What examples of innovative technology have been implemented to advance safety measures in the workplace? What advice would you give to young professionals who are interested in pursuing a career in geohazard mitigation?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Developing Skills and Mitigating Risks: Exploring the World of Geohazard Mitigation: Having experience in the military will help you to develop skills in following regulations and standards and paying attention to detail. These skills are invaluable in geohazard mitigation, where quick evaluation and reaction time are crucial where job site conditions can change rapidly, and quick thinking is necessary to adapt to the conditions and ensure safety. There is a capstone project with the Colorado School of Mines where a challenge is presented to the students on how to rapidly deploy a perimeter protection system using materials already available on their trucks and trailers. The students came up with a solution that could be deployed within minutes and met all the safety regulations. One of the key points is that geohazard mitigation involves multiple variables and changing conditions, making pre-planning crucial. Remote locations, lone worker safety, traffic control, and underground utilities are some of the other hazards that need to be carefully considered and mitigated. Falls and working around heavy and specialized equipment are also significant risks that must be managed. Engaging employees in generating solutions and providing input is crucial for creating ownership and support for safety programs within an organization. This approach has been successful in not only emphasizing the importance of safety but also generating solutions to safety challenges. Proper safety training programs that include on-the-job training, regular safety meetings, and utilizing technology are essential to ensure that employees know how to do their jobs safely and to reinforce safety initiatives within an organization. The use of external partnerships and internal continuous improvement programs, such as Kaizen and root cause analysis, have led to exciting innovations and solutions in advancing safety measures. Additionally, incorporating the concept of biomimicry, such as developing shoe treads that mimic snake scales, shows the potential for looking to nature for creative solutions to safety challenges. To be successful in the geohazard mitigation field, it's important to get to know the work and the people. Immersing yourself in the environment and continuously learning about the business can help you understand how everything operates. Building relationships is also crucial,
In this episode, I discuss common pitfalls in developing project managers and share how firms can overcome them. Many firms make the mistake of grouping all their project managers together by experience level, but this is never the best-case scenario.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About The Common Pitfalls in Developing Project Managers and How Firms Can Overcome Them: The first issue related to project management in organizations is the lack of clarity in defining the role of a project manager. It is a common problem in the industry and can lead to confusion among employees about their job responsibilities and how they should identify themselves within the company. Organizations must be intentional in defining the roles and responsibilities of project managers and consider creating a classification system that allows project managers to retain their discipline-specific titles. The second issue is the lack of distinction between different levels of project managers within a firm. This can cause problems with learning and development, as less experienced project managers may be given the same title as those with more experience. Organizations should consider creating a system that clearly distinguishes between different levels of project managers based on their experience and skills.More Details in This Episode…Sources and ReferencesContact EMI We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on some of the common pitfalls you have experienced in developing project managers.Please leave your comments, feedback, or questions in the section below.If you enjoyed this post, please consider downloading our free list of 33 Productivity Routines of Top Engineering Executives. Click the button below to download. Download the Productivity RoutinesTo your success,Anthony Fasano, P.E., LEED APEngineering Management InstituteAuthor of Engineer Your Own Success
In this episode, we talk to Joseph Camajani, SE, a principal and client executive at IMEG Corp about his global engineering experiences across five continents. He highlights the challenges he encountered, and how working abroad influenced his outlook on engineering and project execution. He also provides some great advice for aspiring engineers looking to explore professional opportunities outside their local vicinity.You can view the show notes for this video here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Joseph: Can you take us through your journey of working abroad and highlight some of your experiences? Can you elaborate on the challenges you faced when working abroad, such as cultural and language barriers, and adapting to different systems like the metric system and local drawing standards? What were the language barriers like while working overseas as an engineer, and how did you manage to convey technical information to people who may not have had a strong grasp of English? How has your international experience shaped your perspective on engineering and project delivery upon returning home? What advice do you have for young engineers who may be hesitant to work abroad, and how can they prepare themselves for such an opportunity? What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities in the engineering industry, and how do you suggest addressing them? What skills do you recommend for engineers looking to advance their careers into project management or principal roles?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Engineering Across Continents: Challenges and Lessons Learned from Working Abroad: Working abroad can provide valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth, including exposure to different cultures, standards, and customs, as well as the chance to work on exciting, large-scale projects. It can also present challenges, such as culture shock and the need to adapt to new environments and work styles, but it can be a rewarding and eye-opening experience for those who are willing to take on the adventure. Engineering is a global profession and fundamental principles can be applied anywhere with different methodologies and construction techniques. Connecting with people and learning from one another is essential to breaking down barriers, even in the face of language or cultural differences. Developing confidence takes time and effort, but it is a key factor for success in the engineering industry. As an engineer working overseas, language barriers can be partially overcome by having a grasp of engineering terms in the local language, and it's crucial to acknowledge and respect the language and culture of the host country. By trying to communicate effectively and meet others halfway, engineers can bridge the gap and work toward a successful collaboration. International engineering work highlights the necessity of patience, attention to detail, effective communication, and respect for differences in backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. Such experiences demonstrate the significance of teamwork and collaboration to achieve success, which are vital in modern engineering projects. Challenging yourself and taking opportunities that come your way can lead to personal and professional growth as an engineer, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing new cultures and environments. The benefits of technology in the engineering industry are clear, but there is a risk of overreliance on software and digital tools, which can hinder engineers' abilities to learn and grow. The pandemic and remote work have also highlighted the importance of human interaction and collaboration in achieving success as a team. It is essential to use technology to our advantage while remembering that the human factor is critical to our industry's success. Soft skills, such as communication, time management,
In this episode, I talk to Andrew Dorman, P.E., a senior civil engineer at Burns & McDonnell about how he effectively manages competing demands, such as client expectations, community interests, and environmental concerns, in his engineering projects. He also provides some great strategies that you can use right away for ensuring project efficiency and staying within budgetary limits.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Andrew: What are some of the biggest challenges you face when designing and planning for airfields, facilities, and infrastructure for the Department of Defense and Department of Energy? How do you ensure that your designs meet the needs of your clients while also balancing the concerns of the local community and environmental impact? Can you walk us through your design process, from initial concept to final plans and implementation? How has technology impacted the field of civil engineering, and what new tools or techniques are you using to improve your work? What is your approach to project management, and how do you ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget? Can you share some examples of projects you have worked on that you are particularly proud of, and why? What do you think are the most important skills for success in civil engineering, and how do you continue to develop these skills throughout your career? What advice would you give to aspiring civil engineers who are interested in working in land and infrastructure development?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Balance Client Needs and Community Concerns in Your Civil Engineering Projects: Designing and planning airfields, facilities, and infrastructure for the Department of Defense and Department of Energy poses a significant challenge that starts with carefully reading the documentation provided prior to kickoff meetings with the client. It is imperative to fully comprehend the scope and requirements of the project, create a checklist of essential elements for the design process, and understand the mission objectives and constraints. Proper research and due diligence must be conducted to ensure that the project meets the relevant standards. Maintaining open communication with the client throughout the design process is crucial for a successful outcome. As designers for the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, it is imperative to avoid any conflicts with the local community. We should aim to foster positive relationships by highlighting the benefits that installations can bring to the area, including employment opportunities for both military personnel and their families, partnerships with local businesses, and economic growth. This growth can lead to improved infrastructure, including schools for children, among other benefits. A programming Charette report is used to set forth the standards and scope of a project, which helps the government determine funding and cost. The project then progresses through various milestones, starting with a kickoff Charette and continuing with 35%, 65%, 95%, and 100% milestones. At each milestone, the project is reviewed and refined, with a focus on detailed design, cost, and ensuring the project stays within budget. The goal is to deliver a final product that meets the client's requirements and expectations. Burns & McDonnell has been utilizing cutting-edge technology like Oculus, a 3D modeling tool, to provide clients with immersive experiences of their projects. By creating detailed 3D plans, clients can explore the interior of buildings and even walk through entire installations. This technology has been particularly useful in the design of facilities for the B-21 Raider bomber master planning project, which Burns & McDonnell has been working on for several years. With this tool,
In this episode, we talk to Robert J. Khoury, the co-founder, and CEO of Agile Rainmakers, a high-impact business development consulting and advisory firm based in Chicago's Gold Coast, about how engineering students can maximize their engineering internship by taking a deeper look into the importance of setting expectations, effective communication, establishing routines, and building professional relationships that can last beyond the internship.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Maximizing Your Engineering Internship: The first step to optimizing an engineering internship experience is knowing yourself, knowing what you want to learn and what you want to do, and making sure the internship you said yes to is aligned in some way with your interests. When you accept the offer for an internship, ask if you can set up a 20- to 30-minute call every six weeks with your manager to learn more about the firm, the project you will be working on, what you can do to prepare better, and develop your relationships with the manager. It's highly recommended to clear your schedule; you will need to communicate with your parents, relatives, close friends, extracurricular activities, and voluntary organizations, and let everybody who needs to know that you are giving your all during the internship because it is your highest priority. As an intern, it's essential to remain coachable. This entails active listening and embracing feedback graciously, while also being thankful for the lessons you learn. However, it's not just about achieving success and securing an offer, but rather about playing the right game. This entails contributing value to the firm, making your manager look good, assisting fellow interns, and potentially improving the experience for future interns. To ensure a successful internship experience effectively, communicate the status of your work. By having an open and honest conversation with your manager, you can clarify what tasks you will complete and set expectations. Creating a plan to accomplish these tasks with a thoughtful approach and setting deadlines before the end of the internship can help you finish with impact. It's also important to show appreciation by writing a handwritten thank-you note to your manager and anyone else you worked with, and following up with them to stay connected after the internship is over. To maintain strong professional relationships beyond the internship, it's recommended to stay in touch with your colleagues. You can achieve this by periodically reaching out to them through a call or email to update them on your progress, current projects, and how the internship has impacted your career. It's essential to keep the communication lines open as managers appreciate hearing about their former interns' lives after the internship ends. Avoid only contacting them when you need something; instead, focus on building genuine relationships based on mutual interests and benefits. For students, finding a routine or process during their internship can be beneficial for their success. Academic routines are familiar, so by establishing a new routine in the workplace, they can feel grounded and make progress. With a routine in place, they can track their growth and see themselves improving, resulting in a sense of accomplishment. Having a well-established process can help them complete tasks more efficiently, which leads to increased productivity and better time management. Treating interns with dignity sends a signal that they are valued and respected, leading to better communication, enhanced performance, and ultimately, excellent results. When interns feel appreciated and recognized, they are more likely to be motivated to perform well, resulting in unexpected positive outcomes. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that interns feel welcomed and respected in the workplace as it c...
In this episode, I talk with Ted Strazimiri, the president of SkyDeploy, a drone service provider based in Canada about his experience and involvement in drone data collection for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Ted sheds light on the challenges encountered in this field and the ad industry's adoption of drone data collection and shares his insights on parking utilization analysis.You can view the video version for this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Ted: In the past five to six years, how has the usage of drones impacted the challenges and methods of data collection? With all the advancements and improvements in drone technology and data collection, do you think the next five years will be an interesting period of convergence for the industry? Where have you observed the AEC industry fully embracing the utilization of drones for data collection, and what factors do you think have contributed to this point of acceptance? Do you believe that the scalability of drone technology, and not having to worry about the technical details, ultimately benefits the end consumer, specifically the AEC professionals who use drones for data collection? What skills are necessary for a drone operator to perform complex tasks like façade or bridge inspection in the AEC industry? What is the importance of having a technology consultant in an AEC firm who can bridge the gap between the firm and the service provider when it comes to data collection using tools like drones, 360-photography, or LIDAR? What is the growing gap between high-fidelity 3D data and the actual ability of service providers to provide it, and what are some of the trends related to this issue? What is hindering the adoption of high-fidelity 3D geospatial products, and how can the industry improve the sharing and viewing of high-bandwidth data for better accessibility and user-friendliness? What are some effective ways to improve parking utilization and how can technology assist in this task? What are some potential benefits of using predictive analytics for asset maintenance in parking lots, and how can this data help owners with maintenance planning and decision-making? What other insights and discoveries have been made beyond the ones already discussed in the conversation, and how has the initial idea about the project changed as the work has progressed? Can you explain how the concept of paralytics encompasses all the insights and data you've discussed so far? How does the "bring your own data" approach in Paralytics enable the expansion of use cases and help more people compared to the previously limited approach? What are some other potential applications for drone data capture that you have observed in the AEC industry? How can the use of drones in the AEC industry help technical professionals focus on their core tasks and make data collection more accessible in terms of time and cost? How do you envision the future of drones and data collection in the AEC industry?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Unlocking the Power of Drones for AEC Data Collection: The accessibility of off-the-shelf aircraft like the Phantom 3, Phantom 4, and Mavic Pro in 2017-2018 was a major turning point in the usage of drones for data collection, but technical issues and software limitations created challenges in making it profitable and scalable. Despite these challenges, the industry has made rapid improvements in both fieldwork and post-processing, leading to a convergence of scalable solutions for data collection using drones. The price point is a crucial factor in the success of the drone technology and data collection industry as it needs to provide value by achieving more with less. While the latest and greatest technology can be expensive, the industry needs to keep cost in mind when approaching customers to truly...
In this episode, we talk with Colby Manwaring, an expert in water management and Vice President of Innovyze at Autodesk about how digital technology is transforming the way water systems are designed, analyzed, simulated, and managed as well as how risks are mitigated. We also explore the advantages of using digital twins to enhance performance and decision-making across an asset's lifecycle.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Colby: Can you tell us more about Innovyze and its role in the water industry, and what aspects of the industry they focus on? What are some of the biggest challenges facing the fresh water supply today? How are water utilities utilizing digital technology to address the challenges facing freshwater supply? How does the challenge of digitizing a water system compare to the challenge of digitizing systems in other industries? What are digital twins and how can they be utilized to enhance decision-making processes and optimize performance? Can you explain how your team's model of Jackson's water distribution network is being used to identify issues within the system? What are some challenges that come with building these models, and how do you overcome them? What technological advancements do you predict will be the most significant in the field of water management in the future? How can geotechnical engineers ensure that the adoption of technological advances in water management is done ethically and sustainably to address water challenges?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Digital Twins Are Revolutionizing Water System Design, Management, and Risk Mitigation: Innovyze has been empowering water experts worldwide with software solutions for over three decades. They have a global reach across 86 countries and serve thousands of water and wastewater utilities, engineering consultants, flood management agencies, and water infrastructure asset managers. While their initial focus was on water utilities, since joining Autodesk, they now can extend their expertise to all civil infrastructure assets. Innovyze is dedicated to improving the water industry and now has the resources to enable the same outcome across other infrastructure assets. Freshwater supply faces challenges due to an aging infrastructure and workforce, inefficient distribution causing water leakage, and water quality issues from flooding and sewer closures. These issues need to be addressed to ensure a safe and sustainable freshwater supply. Digital technology has been used in the water industry for decades, but there is a growing opportunity to use more advanced technology to address challenges like aging infrastructure, water leakage, and water quality. Water utilities typically use hydraulic modeling for proper management and operation as well as asset management to understand the condition of infrastructure assets. In recent years, there has been a trend toward merging hydraulic modeling and asset management with real-time data monitoring and analysis, creating a digital twin that allows for efficient and cost-effective solutions to water challenges. The challenges of digitizing water systems include the loss of as-built data and the hidden underground infrastructure, which is unique to the water industry. The lack of willpower and funding to digitize systems is also a significant challenge. A digital twin is a virtual representation of a real-world system that can be built in stages, including an asset model, performance model, and behavioral model. Each stage serves a different purpose and provides value, but the goal is to reach the behavioral model stage, which allows for real-time optimization and decision-making. A basic digital twin of the water distribution system in Jackson, Mississippi, is being constructed using InfoWater Pro software, which will enable the understanding of intended system performance,
In this episode, we talk with Timothy Welch, a seasoned engineer and leader with more than 15 years of experience across diverse industries, such as startups, telecommunications, and healthcare about the intricacies of decision-making. We delve into crucial topics like steering through life-altering choices without succumbing to analysis paralysis, achieving equilibrium between reason and emotion, steering clear of decision fatigue and potential business setbacks, and recognizing the pivotal role emotions play in the decision-making process.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Empowering Your Decision-Making: People can get stuck in decision-making in two different ways: either when there's only one option and they become fixated on it, or when there are too many options and they become overwhelmed with analysis paralysis. To overcome decision fatigue and analysis paralysis, follow three steps: staying gentle with yourself, seeking perspective, and getting curious. Staying gentle is important to avoid becoming frustrated or overwhelmed. Seeking perspective, especially from outside sources, can provide valuable insight when you feel stuck with only one option. Lastly, getting curious about other perspectives can open up new options and possibilities. When seeking perspective, it's important to reach out to coworkers and individuals who are outside of your usual circle or bubble. For engineers, it can be helpful to talk to UX/UI people, who use a different part of their brain and can provide a more far-off perspective. By expanding our network and seeking out diverse perspectives, we can gain valuable insights that help us overcome decision-making challenges. It's not always possible to have all the information when making a decision, and striving for 100% information can lead to diminishing returns and be very time-consuming. The 70% rule, as Jeff Bezos called it, suggests that once you have gathered around 70% of the necessary information, it's time to decide and take action. This approach allows for a faster pace in a fast-paced environment like the tech industry, and can lead to better alignment with the company. Embracing uncertainty and getting out of your comfort zone is essential for developing resilience and confidence in decision-making. This can be achieved by taking small risks and challenging oneself, such as extending workout routines or taking cold showers, to gradually building up a tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort. Consistency, embracing uncertainty, and finding uncomfortable places are key strategies for developing the skill of making decisions in an ever-changing environment. By establishing a consistent process and embracing uncertainty, individuals can build the confidence and resiliency needed to make better decisions. Seeking out uncomfortable experiences can help individuals grow and develop the skills needed to thrive in uncertain situations. Gaining perspective and reframing negative thoughts can help us overcome feelings of grief and loss and enable us to move forward with a positive mindset. It's important to recognize our accomplishments and the impact we have made, even if the result may not be what we expected or hoped for. By reframing our thoughts and focusing on the positive aspects of our experiences, we can develop a resilient attitude and continue to strive toward our goals. Timothy provides two examples of decision-making processes. The first one involves choosing between two CI/CD deployment options, where intuition played a role in the final decision. The second example highlights a personal decision to quit a job and become a life coach. Timothy used the 70% methodology but procrastinated due to fear, ultimately wasting four months, which shows that he could have made the decision earlier.More in This Episode…
In this episode, I talk to Adriana Leotta, an applications engineering manager at Farrat, about the importance of adopting a hybrid approach of Agile and Waterfall methodologies in projects that involve both software and hardware components and how engineers can effectively work in an Agile environment while producing effective Waterfall solutions. We also discuss the difference between the role of an engineering manager and a project manager, as well as the importance of defining accountabilities, empowering team members, and the importance of trust in your team.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Adriana: What is the importance of adopting a hybrid approach of Agile and Waterfall methodologies in projects that involve both software and hardware components, and can you share a case study of a company that has successfully implemented this approach? How long has your company been using the hybrid approach of Agile and Waterfall methodologies for projects involving software and hardware components, and how does it compare to previous methods? How can engineers effectively balance working in an Agile environment while also producing effective Waterfall solutions? What does a Waterfall sequence entail and what are the standards and practices implemented in executing a Waterfall sequence? How do the responsibilities of an engineering manager and a project manager differ, and what is the significance of defining clear accountabilities and empowering team members in the role of an engineering manager? How does building trust between engineering managers and their teams contribute to the sustainable delivery of projects? How can defining accountabilities and goals in a company's culture help address bottlenecks when using a hybrid Agile-Waterfall approach? How can aspiring engineering managers effectively lead teams through methodology evolution and what tips or advice would you suggest to help them succeed?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Optimizing Engineering Project Success by Combining Agile and Waterfall Methodologies: For companies that provide technical solutions and manufacture final products involving both software and hardware components, it is crucial to find a balance between Agile and Waterfall methodologies. While the design process can be Agile and flexible, the production process requires a more structured Waterfall approach. Engineers must be skilled at integrating these two approaches to ensure quality and avoid compromising the final product. It is important for companies that provide technical solutions to be agile in meeting clients' needs, especially in fields that involve new and developing materials. Providing solutions, not just products, creates trust and comfort for clients who may not know exactly what they want. Companies must be adaptable and knowledgeable to ensure client satisfaction. Teamwork and communication are crucial in ensuring the success of a project, as each decision and action can impact other team members. The entire process must be optimized from design to delivery, and while priorities may change in an Agile environment, the final product should still follow a Waterfall sequence. The Waterfall methodology involves a strict sequence of processes that must be followed to ensure the quality and success of the outcome. Deviating from the sequence can compromise the final product and add too much risk to the process. While the project manager's focus is on delivering a final product according to client needs, the engineering manager's role is to invest in and nurture the human capital of the company, creating an environment that empowers team members to take responsibility for their actions and be accountable and making the project manager's job easier. Trust is crucial for the success of any team, and it is a two-way channel. Teams must trust their leader,
In this episode, we talk to Mo Ehsani Ph.D., PE, SE, F.ASCE, FACI, from QuakeWrap, Inc. about how the field of structural engineering has evolved with the introduction of composite materials like FRP (fiber reinforced polymer), the advantages that FRP technology has over traditional concrete and steel repair solutions, and the differences between infrastructure repair projects in the water and on land. He also shares some examples of successful infrastructure repair projects that have utilized FRP technology and provides insights into how this technology can benefit structural engineers.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Mo: How has the introduction of composite materials like FRP affected the approach to infrastructure repair projects in the field of structural engineering? What are the advantages of FRP technology compared to traditional concrete and steel repair solutions? How easy is it to use carbon fiber wrap for repairing tension elements, and what materials are required for the repair process? Are there any limitations to FRP technology, and if so, how do you overcome them? When using Quake Wrap for retrofitting, would the engineer of record design it or would you be some type of consultant, how does that typically work for structural engineers? How does the use of FRP materials extend beyond seismic retrofitting to address infrastructure repairs both in water and on land, specifically concerning corrosion projects and the impact of corrosion on concrete? What measures can be taken to prevent water from getting into a structure and reinforcing its existing seal? Can you provide additional examples of infrastructure repair that you would like to discuss? Can you share your experience of pursuing a non-conventional career path in structural engineering? What were some of the challenges you faced along the way, and how did you make decisions about your career path? How can an entrepreneurial mindset be beneficial when pursuing something that you are passionate about, even if you don't initially know how to do it?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About FRP Technology and Infrastructure Repair with Composite Materials: The initial idea behind composite materials like carbon fabric, which are strong in tension, was to earthquake-proof bridges by wrapping them around the columns, but over the years these materials have proved to be very versatile and are now commonly used for corrosion repair, strengthening, and other structural engineering applications due to their lightweight, easy application, high tensile strength, durability, and corrosion-resistant properties. FRP technology offers advantages over traditional concrete and steel repair solutions, such as being able to retrofit buildings without adding thickness or weight, which is particularly useful when space is limited. Unlike traditional reinforcement methods, using FRP materials does not require chipping away concrete or adding an extra layer of protection. They are lightweight, easy to transport, and quick to apply, with curing times typically around a day. Additionally, FRP materials can provide up to two to three times the strength of steel and can be applied directly to the tension face of an element, maximizing the moment capacity. The ease of construction with FRP technology is a significant advantage because the carbon fiber wrap comes in a roll and can be easily cut to the desired length, making it simpler to apply, especially in occupied buildings. The strength of composite materials like FRP comes from the orientation of the fiber, and this offers unique opportunities to use the materials efficiently. Unidirectional fabrics are effective for strengthening a beam for flexure, but not for shear reinforcement, and engineers can control the strength of the material based on the orientation of the fibers.
In this episode, I talk with Joey Porrello, P.E., who shares his experience of being forced into retirement from his engineering career at the age of 29 due to physical limitations, and the legacy that he believes civil engineers should leave behind in their profession.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Joey: What message do you want to share with civil engineers? How can engineers pursue a passion for helping and mentoring people through various job opportunities? Is there anything you would like to share with the civil engineering community?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Facing the Unexpected: Lessons from a Young Civil Engineer Forced into Retirement: Civil engineers should consider the legacy they wish to leave behind in their profession. In a rapidly evolving technical landscape, their technical contributions may not endure. However, the way they treat others and the lasting impression they leave on people will shape their legacy. While your technical skills are essential, a true legacy is built on the impact you have on others and how you are remembered as an individual. Civil engineering is a unique profession where we are involved in people's lives in ways they may not even realize. True passion extends beyond the work we do and includes how and why we do it. By sharing our knowledge and making meaningful connections with others, we can inspire and motivate our colleagues in any workplace. We must strive to be the reason why others want to come to work. Your life is not shaped by what is said to you, but by your own actions. It's essential to embrace the work you do and the people you do it with because your current actions will shape your future. By prioritizing what truly matters, your future will unfold naturally.More Details in This Episode…About Joey Porrello, P.E.Joey Porrello, P.E. is a former Civil Engineer who worked at the Las Vegas-based planning and design consulting firm, Kimley-Horn. However, his career came to an unexpected halt in early February when he was forced into retirement at the young age of 29. Porrello was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare neurological disease that affects motor neurons and causes progressive muscle deterioration. In a courageous and viral LinkedIn post, Porrello shared the effects of his illness, including difficulty speaking and moving his arms and fingers. With no cure or effective treatment available, Porrello has turned his focus towards raising awareness about ALS, which affects about five people per 100,000 in the US population.Sources/References:Joey’s LinkedIn PostConnect with Joey Porrello, P.E., on LinkedInThis Episode is Brought to You By:PPIPPI has helped engineers achieve their licensing goals since 1975. Passing the FE and PE exams can open doors to career advancement and new opportunities. Check out PPI’s wide range of prep options, including Live Online courses, OnDemand courses, and digital study tools, to help prepare you to pass your licensing exam. Check out PPI today at ppi2pass.com to see all the options available for FE and PE exam prep.KellerKeller develops innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions to geotechnical challenges, including deep foundations, ground improvement, groundwater control, liquefaction mitigation, releveling structures, slope stabilization, support of excavation, underpinning, and instrumentation and monitoring. Keller is the largest geotechnical specialty contractor in the world with over 60 offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit keller-na.com.We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share about navigating unforeseen challenges in your engineering profession.Please leave your comments, feedback, or questions in the section below.
In this episode, we explore the secrets of building a successful engineering career with Kevin Lewis, PE, LEED AP, a highly accomplished CEO and President at Henderson Engineers. Kevin shares his insights on the essential skills and traits necessary to reach a high-level position in engineering, including how identifying skill gaps and positioning yourself to fill them can help you excel in your career. We'll also discuss the significance of face-to-face collaboration, communication skills, and confidence-building in achieving success as an engineer.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Building a Successful Engineering Career and Proven Strategies for Leadership and Communication: To reach a high-level position in your organization, identify skill gaps and position yourself to fill them. Focus on what you can bring to the organization, challenge yourself to learn continuously, and seize opportunities to grow. Before pursuing a role, make sure that it aligns with your skills and the organization's needs. Consider whether it's something you are passionate about before committing to it. It's essential to ensure that your interests and skills match the requirements of the position. Your priority as a leader should be to remove barriers and enable your team to excel. This fosters a culture of innovation and drives quality work across the organization. Engineering is a team effort and works best when done in person. Mentorship, work quality, and client experience are improved. Being together helps people self-select and stay focused on the outcome. Face-to-face collaboration is essential for effective teamwork. Young professionals learn best from experienced engineers through face-to-face collaboration. Being at the same desk allows for working through details and schedules effectively. Group collaboration in-person leads to the best results, with real-time feedback and brainstorming. Communication is a skill that needs practice. Intentional efforts are required to improve. Next time you travel, try conversing with your seatmates to exercise communication skills. Prioritize being interested, not interesting. Focus on asking questions and listening actively. Honesty and transparency are crucial for effective communication. Maintain eye contact for a genuine conversation. Confidence is essential for career advancement. To gain confidence, think globally and holistically. Step out of your comfort zone and seek opportunities to develop new skill sets. Growth occurs when you push yourself to excel in areas you want to improve in. The five essential traits of a leader are honesty, competence, inspiration, forward-thinking, and passion. Honesty is critical for credibility, and competence is essential for technical aspects. Inspirational leadership inspires others. Forward-thinking helps in planning for the future, and adding passion and joy to messages is dynamic. Effective communication is the key to success in the engineering business.More in This Episode…About the Guest, Kevin Lewis PE, LEED APKevin Lewis is the CEO and President of Henderson Engineers, a national building systems design firm headquartered in Kansas City. He is also president of Henderson Companies, the parent company of Henderson Engineers, and Henderson Building Solutions, a construction management and commissioning firm. A licensed professional engineer with more than 20 years of AEC-industry experience, Lewis has held a variety of leadership roles at Henderson since joining the company in 2004. Lewis also has an MBA and that business acumen brought him success in leadership roles like project manager, project engineer, venue practice director, and chief sector officer. Throughout his journey to CEO and President, Lewis developed a keen understanding of what it means to be a leader,
In this episode, I talk with Anande Bergman, one of the founding members and the Chief Growth Officer of VIKTOR, about workflow automation in design. He shares some valuable insights on the creation of VIKTOR, a one-of-a-kind automation tool, the significance of streamlining workflows through automation, the possible drawbacks, and his perspective on the future of design automation.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Anande: What is the story behind VIKTOR? What are the unique features or aspects of VIKTOR that set it apart from other automation design tools in the market? How does VIKTOR simplify the process of communicating with computers to complete design automation tasks, and how does it leverage the logical thought process of engineers? How would you describe your vision for design automation and why do you believe it's crucial to automate these workflows? Can you provide a specific example of using design automation that can help users understand the details and how it can be applied to their specific use cases? How do you handle edge cases and other challenges that users encounter when using design automation software? Can you share some real-world scenarios where VIKTOR has been used and provide examples that you've seen from yourself, your colleagues, or customers? How does using software to automate engineering calculations increase efficiency and productivity, ultimately benefiting material, time, scope, cost, and hundreds of people's jobs? How can the use of sensors and machine learning models in engineering allow teams to free up time for other tasks and reduce constraints on their work? What is the current state of design automation from your perspective, and what are you excited about in the future of the industry? How can our audience learn more about you and your work with design automation tools?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Empowering Engineers Through Workflow Automation and Democratization: The creation of VIKTOR was born out of frustration from repetitive tasks in structural engineering. Through automation, the team realized their expertise was in creating automation tools, leading to the development of a platform that allows engineers with some coding experience to create professional web applications and share them with their team and organization. VIKTOR’s slogan, "Automate the boring, engineer the awesome," resonates with users who understand the value of automation in reducing repetitive tasks and freeing up time for more creative and fulfilling work. One of the unique features of VIKTOR is its focus on empowering engineers to automate their work with an open and flexible system. Unlike other automation design tools that are niche or specific to a domain, VIKTOR enables users to integrate with other software platforms and the entire Python ecosystem. VIKTOR puts a strong emphasis on creating user-friendly tools that can be shared within a team or organization through a private app store, allowing for efficient collaboration and workflow automation. VIKTOR's goal is to make automation accessible to everyone regardless of their programming skills. With basic Python training, even students were able to create successful projects using VIKTOR. This allows users to focus on their domain expertise without worrying about the technical aspects of automation. The vision for design automation is to create a central system that integrates different disciplines and executes tasks automatically, allowing experts to focus on taking decisions based on analysis and knowledge instead of spending time running calculations. This will result in faster, more flexible, and better designs with reduced risk and safer materials. Automating projects requires following a roadmap with 7 steps: digitalize, standardize processes, integrate, automate,
In this episode, we delve into the topic of graduate degrees in geotechnical engineering with John Myers, P.E., the design manager for Menard Southern Region in the U.S. Our discussion revolves around the potential career advantages that come with obtaining a graduate degree in geotechnical engineering, and whether the costs of pursuing such a degree are justifiable given the potential benefits.You can view the video version for this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask John: What are some of the advantages of obtaining a graduate degree in geotechnical engineering? Do you recommend pursuing a master's degree in geotechnical engineering immediately after completing an undergraduate degree, or gaining work experience first? What are your thoughts on pursuing a Ph.D. in geotechnical engineering, and is it necessary for a successful career in this field? What short-term and long-term benefits can be expected from obtaining a graduate degree in geotechnical engineering, and how can they shape a person's career? What advice would you give to someone hesitant to pursue a graduate degree in geotechnical engineering due to financial concerns? How important is continuing education in the field of geotechnical engineering, and is obtaining a graduate degree just the beginning of a lifelong learning journey in this field? What are some key factors that individuals should consider before enrolling in a graduate program in geotechnical engineering, and what advice would you give to those considering pursuing this path?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Exploring the Pros and Cons of Pursuing a Graduate Degree in Geotechnical Engineering: Obtaining a graduate degree in geotechnical engineering can provide both short-term benefits, such as a deeper understanding of the subject matter and increased competitiveness in the job market, and long-term benefits, such as career advancement and higher salaries. However, it's important to ensure that the degree aligns with one's career goals and interests. The transition from undergraduate to graduate school may be easier in terms of lifestyle, but lacking industry experience may hinder the ability to apply real-world knowledge. However, whichever path is chosen, the second degree will benefit from the experience gained in the first. Those who choose to work before pursuing a graduate degree should consider the impact on their personal life and may need to make sacrifices to balance their studies with their commitments. Pursuing a Ph.D. should be based on a passion for a specific project or field, rather than just the desire for the title or the belief that it will open doors. While a Ph.D. can make you an expert in a niche field, it may not necessarily translate to practical industry experience or job opportunities. Therefore, it's important to carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of pursuing a Ph.D. and evaluate whether it aligns with your personal and professional goals. Grad school provides opportunities to make connections and gain a deeper knowledge base that can be beneficial in the short and long term of a career. Graduates can use their notes and knowledge to revisit topics and continually expand their expertise over time. But the experience gained from working in the field should not be overlooked, especially in geotechnical engineering. Pursuing a specialized degree can come with significant financial concerns, especially if one already has substantial student loans from their undergraduate degree. However, obtaining a graduate degree can also lead to better compensation and access to a network of professionals in the field, which can pay off in the long term. Ultimately, it's important to consider the potential financial burden as well as the potential benefits when deciding whether to pursue a specialized degree.
In this episode, I talk with Thierno Barry, P. Eng., a professional engineer and field services supervisor at Englobe, and a renowned leader in engineering geosciences, environmental management, and quality management about managing field technicians and paper reports in engineering projects. We also discuss the importance of quality control and assurance in concrete testing, challenges with rebar inspections, and the future of technology adoption in the field beyond manual data entry.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Thierno: Why are quality control and assurance crucial in concrete testing, and which specific tests are typically carried out? As a leader in a testing role, what do you consider to be crucial aspects of the testing processes and documentation? What advice or opinions do you have on ensuring that construction materials are tested, meet standards and specifications, and have proper documentation for quality assurance? Is the inspector training conducted in-house or is off-site training provided by a local authority? And is it necessary for inspectors to obtain a qualification or card upon completion of the training? If your company provides in-house training to technicians who previously worked at another company, have you ever encountered conflicts in the way the previous company trained them compared to your company's methods? And have these conflicts caused issues when these technicians work in the field? What are some of the challenges that may arise during asphalt testing? As a manager, are you responsible for selecting the technicians who go to the field and assigning them to specific projects? What are some of the challenges associated with rebar inspections, particularly concerning any certifications that may be required for these inspections? What challenges have you encountered with in-house training programs and certification programs, and how do you maintain the quality and reputation of your company's work while overcoming these challenges? Where do you see the industry heading in terms of technology adoption for field work, beyond the use of paper reports and manual data entry?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Managing Field Technicians and Paper Reports in Engineering Projects: The use of paper-based systems in the technician's job creates a lot of paperwork and can be time-consuming and challenging to manage. In contrast, the use of digital technology, such as tablets, could significantly streamline the process and reduce the reliance on paper-based systems. The use of paper-based reporting in the technician's work creates challenges such as difficulty in reading and understanding the reports, resulting in the need for clarification and extra effort in typing up the reports. Proper training of technicians is essential to ensure they can follow proper procedures and know the specifications for each type of material when conducting tests on site. Certification for specific types of testing is also important to maintain quality and accuracy in the work. Some companies provide in-house training for certain types of testing, such as asphalt and granular, while mandatory certifications are required for concrete testing. Some companies also provide training on the use of specific devices, such as the nuclear gauge, to ensure safety and proper operation. Inconsistent reporting methods among different companies can create challenges when working with technicians from other companies, as they may have different ways of presenting data and results. Companies need to have a standardized reporting method to ensure consistency and accuracy in test results. Experienced technicians tend to be more detail-oriented and provide notes in addition to numbers in their testing reports, while others may only provide the numbers. To improve quality,
In this episode, I speak with Vince Hafeli, MBA, president of Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, about an often overlooked but critical issue: suicide in the construction industry. Sadly, construction workers have a suicide rate that is significantly higher than the national average, as highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In our discussion, we examine the vital role that transformational leadership can play in addressing this issue and implementing preventive measures, such as creating a supportive work environment and promoting mental health resources. With leadership support, we can help to make a meaningful impact and improve the well-being of construction workers.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Vince: Can you explain what transformational leadership is and how it differs from other leadership styles? In what ways can transformational leadership improve the mental well-being of employees? How does creating a safe and supportive work environment impact the mental health of team members, and why is it important? What factors contribute to the high suicide rate in the construction industry? Did you have a particular experience that motivated you to prioritize creating a safe and supportive work environment, or was it a gradual realization over time? What steps do you propose to address mental health in the short and long term, and what message would you like to communicate?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Transformational Leadership and Mental Health in the Engineering Industry: Transformational leadership is about transforming the organization and its people by taking them down a new path, different from traditional leadership. This includes prioritizing mental health as part of physical safety and encouraging employees to speak up about their mental health struggles without fear of criticism or ridicule. The goal is to create a culture that supports and cares for its employees, leading to a safer and more productive work environment. Leaders can make a significant impact by addressing mental health in the workplace and creating a culture that supports and encourages employees to speak up about their struggles without fear of stigma or negative consequences. By sharing personal experiences and stories and providing resources and support, leaders can help employees seek help, improve their mental health, and ultimately lead to a more productive and fulfilled workforce. Great leaders care for their people, listen to their ideas, and are willing to learn from people of all ages and backgrounds. They do not want yes-men or yes-women, but instead want people who can challenge them and make them think differently. It is important to nurture and support employees, rather than mistreat them, to retain a strong workforce. The future of industries like construction will be shaped by the ideas and perspectives of younger generations, so it is essential to give them opportunities to innovate and contribute. The real issue with suicide in the construction industry is that nobody knows there's a problem. The industry needs to recognize the problem and have open and meaningful conversations about mental health and suicide to address and fix the issue. This can be achieved through transformational leadership and efforts to gather support for the cause. Vince's main reasons for pursuing a doctoral program were to keep his mind sharp and to research frontline leadership in the asphalt industry. However, after his original research topic was deemed weak, he decided to focus on mental health in the construction industry and shared his personal story of attempted suicide with his colleagues. This led to a passion for making a difference in mental health in the industry and a desire to leave a mark not only in his company but in the entire industry.
In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr Sean Brady, a renowned forensic structural engineer who has devoted his professional life to understanding intricate systems. Sean emphasizes the significance of considering the interdependencies in complex systems, and how such insights can aid in averting future mishaps. Additionally, he provides insights into the role of peer review in the 2018 Miami Bridge collapse and sheds light on why humans often struggle to grasp complex systems.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Dr Sean Brady: Can you provide some background on your experience as a forensic structural engineer and explain how it has informed your work in complexity science? Would you like to discuss the Miami Bridge collapse of 2018? Additionally, could you describe the concept of complexity science for those who may not be familiar with it, and explain its relevance in understanding complex systems, such as the Miami Bridge collapse? What are the reasons for human difficulty in comprehending complex systems? Could you elaborate on examples of complex systems, such as ant colonies or starling flocks? Can you discuss the interactions among the parties involved in the Miami Bridge collapse and their potential role in the failure? What is the significance of effective communication and collaboration among the various stakeholders in engineering projects? How does external pressure impact the technical proficiency and coordination of engineering teams? How do your podcasts help engineers in their careers? What career advice would you give to structural engineers who are interested in forensic science?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Preventing Future Engineering Failures Through Understanding Complex Systems: Understanding the human and organizational causes of failure is crucial in preventing structural disasters, as well as failures in other professions. This requires looking beyond the technical aspects and considering the complexities of how people and organizations operate. What we can learn from the Miami Bridge collapse is the importance of understanding the role of complexity science in structural engineering and organizational failure. The collapse of the bridge was a tragic event that resulted in six fatalities, and while there were design errors that played a significant role in the failure, it is also important to look at the peer review process and how it failed to catch these errors. Complex systems involve multiple actors and components that interact in ways that are often difficult to understand and predict. Complexity science provides a framework for analyzing these systems and understanding how their different elements work together. By studying the failures of complex systems, like the Miami Bridge collapse, we can learn important lessons about how to design, build, and manage these systems in the future. Humans struggle to understand complex systems because we have been trained to think about systems in a reductionist way — breaking them down into their separate parts and understanding each part in isolation. However, in complex systems, this approach does not work as emergent behavior arises when the parts are combined, resulting in behaviors that cannot be predicted by studying the individual parts. This gap between understanding individual parts and understanding the emergent behavior of the system is what makes complex systems difficult to comprehend. The behavior of both ant colonies and starling flocks is the result of simple local rules followed by individual agents or components. By understanding how these agents interact with each other, we can gain insights into the behavior of the system, rather than simply breaking it down into its parts. This approach is necessary for understanding complex systems,
In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Ziad Y. Mazboudi, P.E., D.WRE, F.ASCE, MBA, a senior civil engineer and project manager at Transtech Engineers, Inc. We discuss how civil engineers can play a vital role in promoting sustainable practices within their industry, and how getting involved in professional associations can enhance their careers.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Ziad: What are the key differences between working as a civil engineer in the local government sector and the private sector? In what ways has your experience in the public sector contributed to the growth of your engineering career? What steps can civil engineers take to incorporate more environmentally friendly building practices, and how can this contribute to a more sustainable future? How can engineers promote sustainability within their industry, and what actions can they take to achieve this? Why is it important for engineers to give back to their community, and what are some specific ways they can contribute to society? What advice would you offer to civil engineers seeking to advance their careers?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Sustainability in Civil Engineering: Driving Industry Impact through Sustainable Practices: Being environmentally conscious can have financial benefits as well as ecological ones. By practicing recycling, energy conservation, and water conservation, you can save money on bills while also contributing to the preservation of the environment. Civil engineers can make a positive impact on their community by working in the public sector. This type of work is rewarding because it involves improving the quality of life for residents through a variety of different projects. While the private sector offers its own unique set of challenges and typically involves specializing in a particular area of civil engineering, it is still beneficial to gain experience in both sectors. By doing so, you can broaden your skill set and gain a well-rounded understanding of the industry. Joining professional associations and committees can enhance your civil engineering career by providing opportunities to lead and influence, attending conferences and meeting experts, and building a valuable network. Civil engineers can promote sustainability by proposing eco-friendly solutions to clients and agencies, incorporating nature-inspired design elements, and utilizing green technologies and models. Having a thorough understanding of the city or community where you are working is crucial for civil engineers. By driving or walking around the area, you can become familiar with the surroundings and gain valuable insight into the local infrastructure. This knowledge can help you better understand how to design projects and estimate timelines. A good manager is someone who provides opportunities for their employees to succeed. When given an opportunity, it is important to show your manager that you can deliver great results. Building trust with your manager is crucial and can help pave the way for future career opportunities. Continuous learning and involvement are key to success in the civil engineering industry. It is important to constantly sharpen your skills and stay up to date with new techniques and technologies. By being involved in professional associations and organizations, you can expand your knowledge and network, ultimately making you a better person and professional. Avoid becoming stagnant by continuously evolving and embracing new growth opportunities.More Details in This Episode…About Ziad Y. Mazboudi, P.E., D.WRE, F.ASCE, MBAZiad has 35 years of diversified experience in the public and private sectors. He is an experienced public works/engineering manager with a demonstrated history of working in local government/municipal engineering.
In this episode, we speak with Sol Rosenbaum, a licensed professional engineer with over two decades of experience in energy engineering. He is the owner and managing engineer at SR Engineering & Consulting LLC and the founder of The Engineering Mentor. Sol sheds light on the significance of internships, offering insights on approaching, leveraging, and creating personalized internship experiences.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Unlocking the Benefits of Internships for Aspiring Engineers: Internships are crucial for young professional engineers and students as they provide hands-on experience to help identify interests and build on the engineering school foundation. It helps put all the learned skills together and gives a clear understanding of the engineering world, preparing students for real-world engineering jobs. Although internships are not a mandatory requirement, they can make candidates better prepared for jobs. If an internship opportunity is not available, one can develop skills, volunteer, work with other departments in the school, and gain different perspectives that could be valuable lessons. When starting the process of looking for an internship, research the type of role and companies that interest you. Do not limit yourself to only the popular companies, as many companies are dealing with different components of the area you want to work in. It is important to be aware of warning signs in work environments. To learn about them, connect with people who have worked in the company before or current employees. In the interview, ask about job expectations and how you will be paired up with a senior engineer for better learning opportunities. Even if you do not end up in the area of engineering you like, internships provide opportunities to learn about teamwork, collaboration, and how different departments work together. If an internship is not feasible, there are many alternatives available to gain relevant experience, such as traveling, volunteering, or doing something that brings meaning and value to you. Managing expectations is crucial while looking for internships, as it may not be the top priority for companies. Hence, it is essential to consider other options available.More in This Episode…In the Take Action Today segment of the show, Sol talks about the importance of being clear about what you are looking for in your internship.About the Guest, Sol Rosenbaum P.E., CEMSol Rosenbaum is a highly qualified and experienced mechanical/energy engineer with over 17 years in the field. He holds a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from an Ivy League school and boasts a P.E. (Professional Engineer) and CEM (Certified Energy Manager) licensure. Despite his impressive credentials, Sol recognizes that success in a career in engineering goes beyond technical knowledge and credentials. He has come to understand the importance of developing a strong network, sharp social and communication skills, and continuing education and licensing in building a successful career. Sol has been fortunate to have mentors in his own career who helped guide him, and he now seeks to pay it forward by writing articles and mentoring younger engineers on their path toward success.About the Host, Jeff Perry, MBAJeff Perry is a leadership/career coach for engineers, building mindsets, leadership, and career intentions to unlock hidden potential and remove self-imposed roadblocks for career and life. For years, he has had the pleasure of supporting engineers and software pros, from new grads to director level. Having been on the front lines in the technical world, he has been able to map out the necessary skills for becoming a quality leader in the field.You can connect with Jeff on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcperry/ or visit his website, https://morethan-engineering.com.
In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dillon Mitchell, P.E., who is the founder of Kowabunga Studios and the host of the Construction Corner Podcast. We discuss the topic of automation in design, its potential benefits for engineering firms in terms of saving time and money on projects, and the implications it may have for the people involved in the process.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dillon: What is design automation, and how can it benefit architects and engineers? In your experience at your company, are there any tasks or processes that should not be automated? What sets Kowabunga Studios apart from other companies in the same industry? Can you discuss the return on investment for your company, either quantitatively or qualitatively? What are some of the common factors contributing to stress and long working hours for engineers? What are some of the challenges or issues you have observed within the AEC industry at large? What advice would you offer to listeners who are contemplating implementing design automation in their projects?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Exploring the Potential Benefits and Implications of Design Automation in Engineering: There is a lot of talk about AI and automation potentially taking over jobs, the construction industry needs more people, and design automation can help alleviate the time-consuming and tedious tasks that take up a significant portion of a project's time. By removing these tasks, engineers and designers can focus on solving problems and using their brainpower to handle the more complex aspects of a project while still maintaining their role as liaisons between the parties involved in a project. While some aspects of design can be automated, there will always be edge cases that require human expertise and creative decision-making, particularly in areas such as architectural lighting, facade design, and circuit sizing. Engineers and designers will continue to play a critical role in making design decisions based on their expertise and experience, which cannot be replaced by machines. Kowabunga Studios offers a unique solution that automates the creation of electrical low-voltage data security design documents, including lighting layouts, receptacle layouts, fire alarm devices, data drops, and more. By running their software within a Revit model, users can generate full design document sets in just a few hours, saving significant time and accelerating project schedules by months. Kowabunga Studios' solution is especially valuable for niche areas like electrical low-voltage data security design. By using automation tools to cut down on time spent on design documents, it is possible to save significant amounts of time and reduce overtime hours for employees in the engineering industry. Even a small percentage of time saved across multiple projects can add up to a significant amount of time saved in the long run. The engineering industry puts a lot of responsibility on licensed professionals, often young and inexperienced, leading to high levels of stress and pressure. The lack of training programs and investment in design automation further exacerbates the problem. Implementing design automation alone is not enough; a more comprehensive plan is needed to address the broader issues of professional growth, efficiency, and profitability. The construction industry is facing an employment problem with more people retiring than entering the field, leading to a shortage of talent and skills. Despite the need to hire more people, firms have not been able to solve the hiring problem for over a decade. As a result, the industry has turned to software as the only other option to increase productivity and efficiency. Take a step back and look at the big picture when planning for the future of a constructi...
In this episode, we speak with Shawna Munn, P.Eng., a senior engineer at Isherwood Geostructural Engineers and a pioneering figure in geotechnical engineering who shares her expertise on tackling difficult problems and discovering innovative solutions, the importance of thinking outside the box, creative strategies for problem-solving, and how geotechnical engineers, especially women, can use emerging technologies to make a meaningful impact in the industry.You can view the video version for this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Shawna: To address challenging problems in geotechnical engineering, why is thinking outside the box important? Can you provide examples of situations where unconventional solutions were necessary and explain the significance of thinking outside the box in these cases? What strategies do you use as a geotechnical engineer to find innovative solutions and think creatively outside of conventional approaches? Could you describe a geotechnical project you worked on where conventional solutions were not feasible, and how you applied an unconventional approach to finding a solution? Emerging technologies have altered the way we tackle complex problems. As a geotechnical engineer, how can you utilize these technologies to approach challenging issues in innovative ways and think outside the box? What are some typical obstacles that prevent engineers from thinking creatively, and how can these obstacles be overcome? As a woman in geotechnical engineering, how can you use your past successes and failures as a foundation for thinking outside the box and developing innovative solutions for future projects? What final advice do you have for women in engineering?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Geotechnical Engineers Can Leverage Emerging Technologies and Approach Challenging Problems: When facing problems in geotechnical engineering, it is important to maintain an open-mind mentality as there are often multiple solutions available. To make challenging problems more manageable, it is helpful to approach them from different angles and explore different perspectives. This may involve identifying the foundation of the problem and gathering information from similar projects. Once all parameters are defined, the creative process can begin, and various options can be explored. By adopting this approach, it becomes easier to find innovative solutions to complex problems. There is often a misconception about the creative element of geotechnical engineering. In school, young engineers are taught to follow established processes and procedures to obtain accurate results, which is crucial in building a foundational understanding. However, it is important to recognize that the application of these tools can take on a different perspective and lead to innovative solutions. It is vital to approach geotechnical engineering with an open and creative mindset, even when using established methods, to find new and better ways of solving problems. Using Socratic dialogues is a helpful strategy to find puzzle pieces in geotechnical engineering. By asking questions like what the risks, obstacles, and constraints are, a clearer understanding of soil parameters and available information can be gained, leading to a more informed design approach. Rather than assuming a problem is unsolvable, it can be helpful to approach it from a different perspective. Don't be afraid to consider unconventional or "crazy" ideas, as they may ultimately prove to be effective solutions. Emerging technologies in geotechnical engineering, such as modeling and instrumentation, offer powerful tools for validating assumptions and monitoring solutions. Finite element analysis can aid in validation, while instrumentation provides accurate monitoring to ensure a project's effectiveness. Leveraging technology can take us to the next level and...
In this episode, we are joined by Eric Van Dixhorn, technical sales director at Brickeye, a renowned company specializing in industrial IoT and data analytics for risk mitigation in construction and infrastructure management. Our discussion revolves around the application of IoT sensors in construction, covering topics such as the advantages of concrete sensors, their role in mass concrete and thermal monitoring, and the benefits of environmental sensors in job-site monitoring.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Eric: What are the advantages of using concrete sensors in the construction industry? Are environmental sensors used on job sites, and what kind of data do they collect? Is it just temperature or more? What are the main challenges associated with implementing IoT sensors on construction sites, and what advice would you give to someone facing these challenges? How do you see IoT sensors and technology fitting into the broader trend of digitalization in the construction industry, and where do you think the industry is headed in the future? Are there any organizations or states that are leading the way in implementing these technologies?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Advantages of Concrete and Environmental IoT Sensors for Risk Mitigation: The traditional method of determining the early age strength of concrete using cylinders can be unreliable due to variations in temperature during the curing process. The maturity method, which involves monitoring the temperature history of the concrete, provides a more accurate estimate of the strength and is widely accepted by industry standards. The use of sensors and IoT technology allows for real-time monitoring, reducing the need for manual testing and providing practical benefits. Concrete sensors are commonly used for two reasons: the maturity method and mass concrete applications. In mass concrete placements, which are defined as any volume of concrete that may cause durability issues and cracking due to heat generation, a thermal control plan is necessary to minimize temperature gain and differentials within the pour. Concrete sensors help monitor temperatures and differentials to ensure the success of the thermal control plan. The construction industry has been slow to adopt new technologies like sensors and IoT due to the perception that the industry is not progressive and the relatively low-profit margins. This has resulted in these technologies being viewed as "nice to have" rather than a necessity, leading to underutilization in the industry. Starting small and implementing pilot projects can be a good way to test the effectiveness and feasibility of using sensors and IoT technologies for risk mitigation purposes in construction projects. This approach can help contractors identify where and how these technologies can be most useful and gain a better understanding of the costs and implications associated with their use. The construction industry is facing a significant labor shortage, which is a top concern for many executives and owners. Technology is becoming more of a necessity as a result, as it can help fill the gap by enabling contractors to do more with fewer people. New technologies such as drones, digital mapping, and robots like the TyBOT are examples of innovative solutions that can help the construction industry address these challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology and virtual communication in the business world, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings. Technology can help mitigate risks and save costs in construction projects. The use of sensors to detect water leaks and concrete maturity can help prevent damage and reduce the need for manual labor, which can be scarce and costly. As technology becomes more common in the industry,
This is a guest post by Tevis Holzer, P.E.As the quantity and complexity of projects continue to rise across the industry, improving the efficiency for engineering teams is critical to meet demand. When current project demands already over-utilize staff, embracing the growth mindset required to provide career opportunities to staff can also be difficult. Efficiency gains relieve the pressure from current demands and open the doors to new markets and clients, which then provide career growth opportunities. Engineering teams have several buckets of resources to dip into to create efficiency, including People, Processes, and Tools.A blend of these three resources is likely required to adapt and evolve with the industry. And as engineers, we are attracted to solving problems with Processes and Tools. Processes aid in streamlining tasks for similar projects but require significant effort to establish and maintain. Tools (e.g., innovative technology and software) often allow us to perform tasks faster but also require specialized staff and training. At first glance, we think of filling the People bucket by hiring more people. However, a trickling workforce pipeline and time-consuming onboarding for new hires can make this option unrealistic. This article series will focus on an often-overlooked portion of the People resource bucket: Team Collaboration. More specifically, this series explores how an approach to project management using Scrum techniques can create efficiencies and even reduce workplace stress.Before digging into Scrum techniques of project management and how they promote collaboration, let’s establish some keys to fostering a collaborative environment. These keys seem obvious, but the consequences of their absence are detrimental. Like the three legs of a stool, these three keys are interdependent: collaboration will not occur without each of them.1. TeamFirst things first, you need multiple people to collaborate. If you often work on small projects, fulfilling the project requirements solely on your own, consider thinking of your Team as including external partners and clients as well. A quality Team is excited to work together to develop their own solutions. Subject matter experts can dictate a Result without needing the Team or Communicating with them, but the development of the rest of the Team will be hindered. As a result, junior Team members can be left in the dark, not understanding how or why decisions are made.2. CommunicationWithout frequent communication, Team members usually come up with their own interpretation of the desired Result. The desired Result, however, is typically somewhere between each interpretation.Missing communication also leads to lapses in project progress defined as “Organizational Blinks” in the book, “Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time.” Blinks result in evaporating project timelines due to not understanding when each Team member needs to complete a task or how that task affects another Team member’s work. These lapses occur simply because people are too busy to communicate. A brief conversation goes a long way toward keeping the project moving.3. ResultAt the end of the day, our teams are striving for higher quality results produced at an increased velocity. A Team can get together and Communicate without achieving any sort of meaningful Result. Even brainstorming sessions should Result in some sort of action steps to move forward by refining one or more of the ideas.At the opposite end of the spectrum, a Result can be achieved by deploying your team’s “Superheroes.” Every team has their own Superheroes and everyone knows who they are. Often, without a proper Team and/or Communication, these Superheroes will get Results by taking everything on themselves, working long hours, and rationing growth opportunities from others on the Team. If your project’s success often hinges on the presence of a superhero,
In this episode, I talk with Kristen McCoy, an operations manager at Parametrix who shares valuable insights in conducting productive virtual meetings, fostering effective internal team communication, and distinguishing oneself through impactful client communication.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Kristen: What tips can you share with listeners for conducting valuable virtual meetings? How do you engage participants during virtual meetings and ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute? Have you faced any challenges in conducting virtual meetings, and how did you overcome them? Why is effective communication important within a team, and how does it impact overall performance? What are the best practices for ensuring open and transparent communication within a team, especially when working remotely? How do you establish good communication and build strong relationships with clients? What strategies do you use to tailor your communication style to different clients and meet their needs and expectations? What advice would you give to those seeking to improve their communication skills in the workplace, and what resources do you recommend?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Effective Communication Strategies for Virtual Meetings and Project Management: The key to valuable virtual meetings is having a clear objective and communicating it upfront to participants. Let them know what to expect and why the meeting is being held. By doing so, you can ensure that everyone is aligned and can contribute effectively. Engaging participants in virtual meetings is easier when you have a purposeful agenda and clear objectives. Sharing the speaker role can also be valuable because it involves more people and allows them to prepare. For even more engagement, consider turning your camera on to create better discussions and solutions. As project managers, we may assume that what's in our heads is also understood by our team members, but this is often not the case. To ensure effective communication, it's better to over-communicate by checking in and confirming that everyone is on the same page. This will lead to a positive impact on team performance. In the business of problem-solving, relationships are key with both internal and client teams. It's essential to be transparent and vulnerable, admitting when you don't know something and being willing to say, "That's a great question, I'll need to think about it," instead of pretending to have all the answers. This approach helps to build trust and foster positive relationships with both teams. To communicate effectively with your clients, it's important to understand their preferred communication style and adapt accordingly. Some clients may prefer face-to-face meetings, while others may prefer communication through text messages or email. Even if it's not your preferred style, it's important to adapt to the client's needs to build a strong relationship and provide the most value to them. When managing a project, it's critical to put yourself in the client's shoes and consider their perspective. They hired you to do the project, but they may not have all the information you do. Keep them involved and informed by regularly updating them on the project's progress. As the project manager, make sure that everyone, including your team and the client, is aware of all the necessary information to keep the project on track.More Details in This Episode…About Kristen McCoyKristen is a community and regional planner with over 18 years of experience in planning and transportation. She compiles, interprets, and transforms the material from technical disciplines into clear and concise documentation. Kristen has experience coordinating complex multi-jurisdictional efforts with multiple agencies and the public.
In this episode, we talks to John Lazier P.Eng., MBA, structural engineer, and developer at Lazier Engineering Partners, about his journey into structural engineering and development. He shares insights on his role in ensuring the safety and adherence to regulatory standards in drawings and also offers some valuable tips for those interested in pursuing a career in this field.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask John: What motivated you to start your business as a developer, and what services do you provide to architects? Can you explain how the developer part works? How do you ensure that your drawings comply with safety and regulatory standards? As a structural engineer and developer, what are some of the significant challenges you face, and how do you overcome them? In what ways do you see your work contributing to job creation in Canada, and what impact do you hope to make in your industry? Could you share a project that you are particularly proud of, and what sets it apart for you? What strategies do you use to stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in your field, and how do you continue to grow and learn as a professional? Did your MBA contribute to your success as an entrepreneur, or was it mostly about figuring out your path, being creative, and networking? What advice would you offer someone interested in pursuing a career in structural engineering and development?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Ensuring Safety and Regulatory Standards in Structural Development: Being an entrepreneur allows for the opportunity to learn and be involved in all aspects of a project, from networking to financing, which can be restricted in a traditional corporate job. Additionally, utilizing sweat equity can be a valuable way to get involved in a project and potentially receive a percentage of the project later on. The safety and regulatory standards for structural engineering require following the codes for steel, concrete, and wood, as well as experience with site and soil conditions. Mechanical and electrical components for life safety are also considered. Compliance with safety requirements is based on codes, experience, and common sense. Structural engineering design requires a combination of experience, knowledge of building codes and regulations, and an understanding of site and soil conditions. Additionally, safety requirements for mechanical, electrical, and life safety components of the building must also be considered. Meeting these requirements requires a balance of technical expertise and common sense. To get prestigious projects, it's important to offer something in return and build a strong network of connections. This includes offering to finance, lobbying with government officials, and making introductions to other people in your network. It's also important to have experience in designing and meeting safety requirements for various types of buildings, such as high-rises, stadiums, and residential and office buildings. The Harbor development project in Hamilton, Ontario, which involves building a platform on top of existing rail yards, is in partnership with the former mayor and Jasper Kujawski. The goal is to bring development to the city and restore it to its former glory after a few decades of being overlooked. The project is expected to take a long time to complete. When building a team, it's important to hire individuals who are better and smarter than you. Don't be afraid to partner with other firms and construction companies that have expertise in areas you may lack. Being open to partnerships can lead to better project outcomes and increased success. Learning from others doesn't mean you'll lose control or profits, and it's better to seek out help than to try and do everything in-house. The international MBA program helps you to gain a n...
As we celebrate Women's History Month, this episode features an inspiring conversation with Raine Gardner, P.E., Team Leader at MSA Professional Services. The theme for this year's Women's History Month is "Women who tell stories," and Raine shares her own story, along with invaluable insights and experiences on the significance of people skills in engineering leadership, maintaining work-life balance, career pathing, and fostering professional growth. Additionally, she offers excellent tips and strategies for cultivating a growth mindset and enhancing leadership skills.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Raine: Could you share your experience managing a team of multidisciplinary professionals? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them? In your opinion, how do people skills play a crucial role in engineering leadership? Can you give some examples from your personal experience? As a Board Member of your firm, how has your role evolved? How has your experience as a Board Member impacted your leadership skills? Balancing work and personal responsibilities can be challenging, especially in leadership roles. Can you talk about how you achieve work-life balance, and what that looks like for you? How do you delegate work and coach your team for success? Can you discuss the considerations of career pathing in technical versus leadership roles? How did you navigate this transition, and what advice would you give to someone in a similar position? What has supported your leadership growth, and how have these experiences impacted your leadership abilities? How do you maintain a growth mindset and continue to improve your leadership skills? Can you share any specific strategies or practices that have been particularly beneficial to you?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About People Skills for Engineering Leaders: Leading remotely during COVID-19 presented unique challenges for team leaders. They had to build trust with staff individually, work effectively with diverse professionals, and foster collaboration through conferences and presentations. Building a cohesive team took time, effort, and identifying strengths and challenges. As a leader, it's important to resist the urge to solve problems for team members and instead work with them to develop their solutions. This requires asking the right questions and cultivating an environment where team members can grow and achieve their goals. Making the transition from being an engineer to a leader involves a change in values and a focus on the human side of leadership. The company's board has a clear strategic focus on the direction and approach to be taken to achieve its goals. Comprising of internal and external members, the board leverages their collective experience and insights to guide the company toward success. The company prioritizes future planning to remain resilient and adapt to changes in the economy and industry. Finding a balance between work and personal life is not always possible, but creating a rhythm that includes time for self-care and setting boundaries is essential. It can be challenging to disconnect from work, but it's important to find time to be present with family and to recharge through activities such as cross-country skiing or other forms of self-care. Companies should recognize and reward employees who choose to take different career paths, whether it be technical or leadership positions, as they all play important roles in the success of projects and the company. Leaders need to understand themselves first and what motivates them, as well as continuously work to improve their people skills and round themselves out in areas such as empathy to effectively lead and work with their team. It's okay to seek help and bounce ideas off of other leaders to avoid mistakes and find the best sol...
In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Pamela McCauley, Ph.D., C.P.E., an accomplished keynote speaker, a committed professor, and the Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University, about innovation, entrepreneurship, and diversity in engineering and STEM.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Opportunities for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Diversity in Engineering: The digital economy has opened up numerous opportunities for engineers to be creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial in ways that were not possible two decades ago. Clean water, personalized medicine, artificial intelligence, mobile technology, and similar areas are always in need of new solutions and improvements. Innovation doesn't always require creating something entirely new — it can also involve taking an existing concept to the next level or customizing it for a specific environment. Start exploring potential opportunities by considering the spaces and places you know well and identifying the technical needs that could address some of the requirements in those environments. Diversity in engineering is crucial because diverse teams are better equipped to create solutions and products that cater to the needs of a broader range of people in our society. They are more comprehensive and equitable when there is a diverse team involved. Companies have shown that they have a better return on investment when they have diverse boards. To implement diversity and inclusion, companies and organizations need leadership that is sincere and intentional about promoting diversity in engineering, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Be mindful of unconscious bias — because it exists. Despite our differences, we have more in common than we think. We all seek fulfilling careers, enjoy being enthusiastic, and desire great experiences with our families and friends. To increase participation and engagement, we need to change how we describe and represent engineers and scientists. For example, only 3.2% of engineers are Black men, and 1.6% are Black women. We need to strategically communicate and intentionally increase educators in STEM disciplines at various levels, such as community college and university levels. One way to attract more people to engineering is by showing them the impact their work can have, such as solving problems, helping people or communities, and benefiting oneself. It's not just about remembering physics concepts or doing triple integrations. There are many resources available nationwide to support and empower engineering entrepreneurs, such as the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps program, regional programs, Small Business Development Centers, and local business incubators. The National GEM Consortium is a graduate consortium for minorities in engineering that has a partnership with I-Corps to train engineering graduate students interested in becoming innovators and entrepreneurs.More in This Episode…In the "Take Action Today" segment of the show, Pamela discusses three actionable steps that you can take to begin advancing your career.About the Guest, Pamela McCauley, Ph.D., C.P.E.Dr. Pamela McCauley is an internationally recognized industrial engineering researcher, STEM advocate, university leader, entrepreneur, innovator, and federal program director. She's known for her work in fuzzy set theory, human engineering, ergonomics, biomechanics, and women's leadership in STEM. She's also an author, keynote speaker, and award-winning educator. Dr. McCauley has held numerous leadership positions and received many awards for her professional accomplishments and community outreach efforts. She was recently inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the Black Engineer of the Year Hall of Fame.
In this episode, we talk to Tom Kirkham, the founder, and CEO of IronTech Security, about the importance of protecting AEC firms from cyberattacks with cybersecurity. Tom also explain what engineering firms can do right away when they experience a security breach.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Tom: How vulnerable are AEC firms to cyberattacks? What can individual employees do to help protect their firms against these types of attacks? How do you see artificial intelligence affecting the cybersecurity space? Could you talk about the return on investment that a firm is going to see by taking a preventative approach to cybersecurity? What should an AEC firm be doing if they don't have preventative maintenance or a system in place and they get hacked? Could you give our listeners and viewers a sneak peek into why you wrote these books and what they're all about? What advice would you like to share with the audience today, taking into consideration all the topics we've discussed?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Safeguarding AEC Firms: Cybersecurity threats are a big concern for those dealing with critical infrastructure and intellectual property. Criminal hackers and nation-states pose a significant risk, with the former motivated by money and the latter by differing objectives. The scale of cyberattacks is vast and automated, with thousands of attacks happening daily. It's crucial to understand the big picture and take necessary steps to protect against these threats. Ninety-five percent of successful attacks on firms involve human error, with employees being fooled into opening file attachments through psychological manipulation and social engineering. Automated phishing attacks are widespread, and even the most experienced information security professionals are not immune. Attackers use sophisticated techniques with perfect grammar and graphics to target specific employees and pose a threat to the entire company. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) will refine psychological manipulation techniques used in automated phishing attacks, increasing the risk profile for everyone. Even small firms may become victims of highly personalized, large-scale hacking systems. Human failure remains the weakest link, as 95% of successful attacks involve a human error in falling for phishing scams. Investing in proactive security protection is four to five times cheaper than responding to a security anomaly. A good security company can provide reports on threats stopped, threat actors, and the technology used. Having a security team can help protect against malicious attacks and assist in identifying and preventing them. Businesses are adopting a culture of contacting security teams for any suspicious activity. If you experience a cyberattack, the scale of the impact will depend on your organization's size and reputation. Incident response teams specialize in negotiating ransom and managing the fallout from an attack. Engaging a defense team beforehand can prevent successful attacks. It's critical to have a team monitoring and responding to intrusions, and not to underestimate the seriousness of the cyberthreat. The books are targeted toward business managers, owners, and high net worth individuals. The first book, "Cyber Pandemic Survival Guide," offers practical advice on reducing the risk of being hacked in the event of a cyber crisis. The second book, “Hacked the Rich,” provides techniques for individuals to protect themselves from cyberthreats. Both books have an entertaining fictional story and are easy to read, taking about an hour-and-a-half to complete. Take cybersecurity seriously by doing a risk analysis that follows international standards, identifying weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and committing to proper protection.
In this episode, we talk to Nazek Naja, a graduate student and research assistant at The University of Texas at Austin who shares her insights on how she developed her career as a geotechnical engineer, starting from her studies. She also provides valuable tips for aspiring engineering students to enhance their job prospects.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Nazek What is your current field of study at The University of Texas? What inspired you to pursue a career in Geotechnical Engineering, and why do you believe it is important to explore during undergraduate studies? What is it like to study Geotech in today's era, and do you think it poses more challenges compared to two decades ago? As the president of the Geo-Institute Student Chapter at UT Austin, could you elaborate on your responsibilities and how your involvement in the organization has contributed to your studies and career aspirations? In your opinion, what are some effective ways for engineering students to maximize the benefits of professional organizations? What steps can geotechnical engineering students take before graduation to increase their job prospects? What final advice would you like to offer aspiring geotechnical engineering students?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Career Development Tips for Geotechnical Engineering Students: Within the civil engineering field, there are numerous opportunities to explore. As an undergraduate, you can conduct research beyond your coursework, connect with professors to gain further insight, and seek internships or advice from professionals in the field. As a member of the Geo-Institute Student Chapter committee, students have access to various activities, including seminars, field trips, and social events. Attending these events and connecting with industry professionals can help you gain valuable insights and develop projects for your senior year or grad school. Engineering students should actively participate in their student chapter events, network with professionals, and seek guidance from their professors, alumni, and other industry experts. Attending conferences and congresses can also provide valuable job prospects and opportunities. If you are in grad school, ensure your case studies are well-researched and well-written, as future students will benefit from them. To avoid burnout, graduate and undergraduate students should prioritize their mental health by engaging in physical activities, spending time with friends, and adopting a positive mindset.More Details in This Episode…About the Guest: Nazek NajaNazek joined The University of Texas at Austin for a master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering in August 2021. She's all about the experimental aspect of geotech and is currently under the supervision of Dr. Chadi El-Mohtar. Nazek joined UT right after graduating from the American University of Beirut in May 2021. She began her journey in geotechnical engineering after being appointed as a work-study student in the geotechnical engineering research laboratory in her undergrad, before even taking her first geotech class. After she began learning about the basics of geotechnical engineering via lab practice, it was then all about indulging in geotech.Nazek also enjoys adventurous trips, outdoor activities, and traveling. She was an avid member of the American Society of Civil Engineers - Student Chapter since day 1 and ultimately took on a leading role in her senior year. Nazek focused on integrating a great deal of the student-life experience into the world of civil engineering, while also making it memorable. She intends to continue to do so as well within the Geo-Institute Student Chapter at the University of Texas at Austin during her time as vice-president and president.About the Host: Jared M. Green, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCEJared, originally from southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
In this episode, we delve into the world of digital transformation with Adam Stark, the co-founder of Jet.Build. From the impact of technology on various industries to the future of digital innovation, Adam shares his insights on how this phenomenon is shaping our world.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Adam: What is your perspective on the impact of digital transformation and how technology is revolutionizing the landscape? In terms of efficiency, is using technology or paper more effective? What are the major friction points that industry professionals face when adopting new ideas, and have you encountered any of these obstacles? How can we overcome reluctance to adopt new technologies and close the productivity gap in the industry? What motivates your initiatives, and what advice would you give to someone exploring alternative options or ideas for leveraging technology to make improvements? What advice would you offer from a leadership position? If the digital transformation had occurred 20 years ago, how do you believe the industry would be different today? What is the best way to connect with you should someone want to get in touch or learn more about what you are doing in your career?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Revolutionizing Construction Project Management Through Digital Transformation: The construction industry has seen little productivity improvement since 1968, but project management tools since the early 2000s have proven to increase productivity. Jet.Build aims to simplify construction project management to increase productivity throughout the industry and push it to levels seen in other industries. The complication of software has created a duplicative effort, with users both using the software and printing materials. Simplifying the product can address this issue and improve productivity through digital transformation. Adopting a new solution does not have to be complicated or take a long time, and can be done quickly and easily. Users are used to technology and can adapt to new products quickly. The adoption of technology is inevitable in all industries as the general workforce has some level of familiarity with it. They identify legacy products as a source of friction due to preconceived notions that technology implementation is a complicated and lengthy process requiring certifications and training. This is addressed by starting small with implementation, focusing on onboarding and training, and avoiding legacy pricing models based on project cost percentages. The construction and development industry has a bad reputation because people don't recognize the level of complexity involved in building anything. The collaboration between different teams and companies is crucial, and utilizing a platform to centralize information and workflows to make it easier for everyone to understand their responsibilities and how they impact others is of utmost importance. The platform must have measures to create downstream simplicity, such as access and permission controls and limiting product visibility to specific workflow or responsibilities for end-users. To overcome challenges related to technology adoption, key leaders in your company must understand how technology can support them. By leveraging tools like budget and forecasting reports or payment applications, leaders can grasp how technology can benefit their operations. Similarly, operators can simplify their tasks and processes by consolidating their efforts using technology. To get started, begin with one project or region, and keep things simple. The future of technology in construction and development should prioritize standardization and a central command center for communication and data management. Leveraging specific technologies to increase efficiency is key,
In this episode, I talk to Frank Sherkow, P.E., TE, PSE, ENV SP, F.ASCE, a distinguished member of the board of Directors at the Southwest Lincoln County Water People's Utility District (SWLCWPUD). We delve into the critical topic of diversifying behavior styles within project teams and explore the pivotal role that effective leadership communication plays in the process. Whether you're a seasoned team leader or just starting, this episode promises to offer valuable insights that can enhance your team's performance and productivity.You can view the video for this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Frank: Could you provide an overview of the four different behavior styles and explain why teams must have a mix of these styles rather than all team members sharing the same style? In what ways can understanding the natural behavior strengths and weaknesses of team members lead to better project outcomes? What tools do companies typically use to measure the behavior styles of their teams? How can teams be constructed to include a more diverse range of styles, thereby increasing their chances of success? In what ways can understanding how team members define leadership and what they want from their leaders improve overall leadership efforts within an organization? Which areas related to civil engineering should university and workplace training programs focus on for further learning? Can you share some communication tips in project management that can ensure project success? Why is effective communication essential both within and outside of the team? As a final piece of advice, what suggestions do you have for project managers looking to improve their team's performance and productivity?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Behavioral Styles, Team Diversity, and Project Success: Behavioral style assessment categorizes people into four groups: D (Dominant), I (Influencer), S (Steady), and C (Conscientious), providing insights into an individual's natural behavior style. This classification is different from diversity related to race, age, gender, disability, religion, origin, etc. Teams should have a balance of all four behavior styles to be successful. Overloading one or more styles or lacking a style can lead to problems in communication, leadership, and team building. Senior civil engineers often have highly Steady and Conscientious behavior styles, which means they may lack strengths in leadership, communication, and team building. Assembling a team with all these attributes is crucial for success. Behavior style assessment helps individuals recognize their strengths and weaknesses and those of their colleagues, enabling better understanding and communication. It can be used in managing, marketing, coaching, team building, sales, and recruiting. Individuals can be trained or coached to improve their skills in areas where they are not strong. Team building should be taught to civil engineers in both the university and the workplace. Mentoring can also be valuable, with experienced team members sharing their knowledge and mistakes. When hiring or placing individuals on a team, consider their behavior style, experience level, and fit with the team. To improve communication, take steps to refresh yourself on the basics, such as thinking before speaking, focusing on listening, and being aware of your audience. Teams lacking in leadership communication and team building can take steps to fill those gaps. Projects should be viewed as opportunities to expand personnel capabilities, rather than just one-off tasks.More Details in This Episode…About Frank Sherkow, P.E., TE, PSE, ENV SP, F.ASCEFranklin E. Sherkow, P.E., has more than 40 years of experience. His expertise includes transportation and traffic engineering, urban and transportation/transit planning,
In this episode, we talk to Paul Kremer, an influential figure in Mass Timber Construction and host of the Mass Timber Construction Podcast. He discusses the origin and benefits of mass timber construction, its connection to Building 4.0, and how to get involved in the field.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Paul: What is mass timber construction and how did it came about? What are the benefits of using mass timber besides its quick construction time? Could you go into the growth of mass timber, e.g., its adoption rates and how it's progressing in North America, Australia, and other parts of the world? Can you explain what the Building 4.0 concept is and how mass timber construction fits into it? From the engineering side, what does that look like for the structural engineer if they have a mass timber project? Could you go into some of the more notable mass timber construction projects around the world? For engineers who are trying to get into mass timber, do you have any advice or resources that they can go to learn more about it and to get into it?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Exploring Mass Timber Construction: The Benefits, Origins, and Opportunities: Mass timber construction involves using large format panels made by laminating or gluing boards of timber together. The technique has its origins in a patent for Composite Timber filed in 1923 in the U.S. and has been used to build mid-rise structures up to around 20-30 stories high. Mass timber construction is effective because it requires no wet trades or steel reinforcement and is being developed in hybrid forms that incorporate concrete cores and other materials to enable taller buildings. Mass timber is a renaissance of using timber as a construction material, which sequesters carbon from the environment and is a renewable resource. Mass timber construction has health benefits for the occupants of the building, including good air tightness and stable internal climate conditions. While mass timber may be more expensive than concrete in terms of dimensional thickness, it can save labor, time, and site costs, resulting in up to 20% savings over other construction approaches. Mass timber is only 1.6% of global concrete production, and 1% in the U.S. specifically. European manufacturers are more competitive due to their experience and the special mechanical properties of their timber species. Despite this, mass timber can still be cost-effective due to its stiffness and spanning capabilities, and can provide numerous benefits such as carbon sequestration, renewable resources, and health benefits. In Singapore, most of the mass timber used is European and designed using the Euro Code, requiring the European technical assessment to harmonize with the code. There is a design of the structure and verification testing on the ground in Singapore using various laboratories. The Europeans have a good hold on how to distribute their product globally. Building 4.0 refers to the integration of digital technology into the construction industry, with tools such as BIM, machine learning, virtual reality, and augmented reality. The goal is to create a more efficient building process, with digital fabrication as the ultimate objective, where buildings are constructed from digital files that are sent directly to computer-controlled machines for assembly on-site. While this is still a utopian view of the future, Building 4.0 aims to transform the industry through modern methods of construction and the use of digital technology. Digital design can lead to perfect alignment in construction, as seen in a large building project where service risers were precisely placed using a digital model and CNC machines. However, the challenge lies in achieving collaboration between architects, developers, and planning teams to ensure the BIM modeling is accurate and can be translated seamlessly into the con...
In this episode, I speak with Lindsay Diven, CPSM, a marketing and sales manager at Full Sail Partners and the host of the podcast "Marketers Take Flight.", about the significance of developing a robust online presence. We discuss the importance of social media, the steps firms can take to enhance their online visibility, and how to create an effective social media marketing plan.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Lindsey: Why is having a social presence important for civil engineering leaders? What steps can engineering firms take to enhance their online visibility and demonstrate their expertise? If engineering firms only have 10 minutes per week to establish an online presence, what are some strategies they can implement? How can a strong online presence help engineering firms gain their clients' trust? Could you provide some tips for creating an effective social media marketing plan for an engineering business? What final advice would you offer civil engineers seeking to establish an online presence?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Unlocking the Potential of a Strong Online Presence: The main reasons for the importance of building an online presence are the shift toward digital marketing trends before the pandemic, the acceleration of this trend during the pandemic, and the changing preferences of younger generations who prefer to go online to find information and experts. Social media plays a key role in boosting search results and building visibility online. Having a LinkedIn page and a website are crucial steps for engineering firms to become more visible online and show their expertise. They argue that younger generations prefer to find information and experts online, and having a company page on LinkedIn can legitimize the company. It is important to have an up-to-date website with clear information about services, example projects, and team members, as clients and potential employees often search for this information online. Engineering leaders must follow and connect with current and previous clients, teaming partners, and industry peers on LinkedIn. By spending five minutes each week engaging with their content through comments, they can amplify their reach and have two-way conversations while maximizing their time. Ensure to comment intelligently rather than just liking posts. Sharing job site videos and behind-the-scenes content on social media platforms like LinkedIn will give clients a pulse on what your company is doing and show the process. By doing this, it adds credibility and positions your company as an expert in its field. Pick one social media platform to start with, and be consistent with posting at a set frequency. It's important to decide who the posts are for, such as clients or potential employees, and to have different types of posts in buckets or pillars, such as behind-the-scenes or client spotlight, to provide variety and engagement. Do not be afraid to start using social media, because there is no wrong way to do it. Start with one social channel, connecting with people you already know in real life, and interacting with them to make it less intimidating.More Details in This Episode…About Lindsay Diven, CPSMFor more than 17 years, Lindsay has worked with architecture and engineering firms to build sales and marketing strategies that resulted in increased revenue growth and profit. This included serving as a marketing director and principal for a 300-person A/E firm. In that role, she was a member of the executive team responsible for leading the firm’s marketing and business development strategy and oversaw six market lines with a team of 16 sales and marketing professionals.Now she is the marketing and sales manager for Full Sail Partners. She oversees marketing campaigns to position the firm as a leading provider of Deltek Vantagepoint and Blackbox Connector software solution...
In this episode, we speak with Brian Mejeur, the founder of AdAstra and a former SpaceX engineer, who shares his insights on transitioning from engineer to entrepreneur, networking, taking risks, and building a successful team. You can view the video version of this episode here Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed […]
The post TECC 296: From SpaceX Engineer to Entrepreneur: A Journey of Career Transition appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Arsanious Guirguis, P.E., who is a lead geotechnical bridge engineer from Hardesty & Hanover, LLP, about the role of geotechnical engineering in bridge design, construction, and various environmental factors that geotechnical engineers must consider, and the maintenance requirements for different types of bridges and how they impact their lifespan.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Arsanious: What makes geotechnical engineering for bridges unique? What are the different types of bridge structures and their respective advantages and disadvantages? How do seismic activity impact bridge design and construction? How do engineers consider the impact of climate change and sea-level rise on bridge design and construction? Why are some existing bridges selected to be rehabilitated/retrofitted or replaced over others? For the selected existing bridges, discuss the challenges with evaluating the existing foundations. Can you tell us about a project you worked on that made a big impact on your career? What are some of the challenges you faced with bridge engineering and how did you overcome those challenges? What final piece of advice would you like to give to geotechnical engineers regarding bridge engineering?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Geotechnical Engineering in Bridge Design and Maintenance: Geotechnical engineering for bridge building faces unique challenges due to bridges being constructed over waterways. Foundations for bridges differ from those for buildings, and scouring during hurricanes or storms can carry away sediments, undermining the bridge and leading to failure. New York State classifies bridges as essential or critical, with different design standards required for each. Critical bridges must withstand a 2,500-year earthquake event and be designed for a 1,000-year earthquake without damage, while essential bridges have a different standard. Geotechnical engineers and structural engineers face challenges when designing drill shafts due to congested reinforcing cages required for seismic design, which can affect construction. Bridges usually go under biannual inspections, and clients categorize them accordingly, but it’s on each client which bridge will be addressed, rehabilitated, or replaced. So, when the bridge is selected, the engineers evaluate and collect all the inspection data and discuss whether it could be rehabilitated with minimal cost and have a service life for the next 50 years. If not, it’s necessary to do a complete replacement because rehabilitation will cost almost as much as the replacement. Rehabilitating bridges often involves reusing their foundations, either without any strengthening or with additional reinforcement, if required. However, this can be challenging due to the limited information available on these foundations. Most of these bridges are over 75 years old and were originally designed for a 75-year design life. Unknown foundations are those that lack information about their type and condition. To determine the type of pile used in the foundation, field tests and excavations are necessary, and geophysical testing within a borehole, such as parallel seismic logging, may also be used. Geotechnical and structural engineering have a lot of interfaces, as working on the geotechnical side of a project requires understanding the structural side. This is important to read and interpret the information provided by the structural engineers and to communicate effectively with them. Bridge engineering is a highly recommended field because the clients are often public sector and government agencies, which means the projects are funded by taxpayer money. Typically, you will work on large-scale projects, commonly known as megaprojects.More Details in This Episode…About the Guest: Arsanious Guirguis, P.E.Arsanious is a lead geotechnical bridge engineer employed ...
In this episode, we discuss five quality management tips for enhancing the public's understanding of "quality control" in engineering documents and promoting effective communication between engineering disciplines and laypeople. We also highlight the crucial role of measuring assumptions and utilizing clear language to achieve this goal.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Ensuring Consistent Quality: Code and Standard Compliance Is KeyThe first quality management idea is code and standard compliance, which is key to ensuring that laws, mandates, expectations, and standards are followed. Although there may be some flexibility, there is a set boundary that needs to be met to obtain approval, regardless of personal preferences or interpretations. Compliance with codes and standards is necessary to meet requirements and ensure quality. Stay In Your LaneReviewers have different roles and responsibilities concerning enforcing specific sections of code, such as stormwater, erosion and sediment control, and forestry or landscaping regulations. They caution against reviewers overstepping their boundaries and commenting on aspects of a project outside of their authority. Reviewers must stick to their assigned responsibilities and avoid complicating things by commenting on areas outside of their expertise. Study Your CraftContinuing education and staying up-to-date on industry trends and updates are vital. As a reviewer, you need to study your craft and understand the evolution of the industry, as you can influence laws, codes, and standards. By staying ahead of the curve and understanding what's on the horizon, you can better contribute to the success of projects within your jurisdiction and not be caught off guard by the next big thing. Therefore, you must commit to ongoing education and training to continue being an effective reviewer. Acknowledge That Checking Your Own Work Is HardIt is difficult to check one's own work, as the human brain is not designed for it. The brain can overlook mistakes and fill in missing words, making it challenging to catch errors. Try using tools like Grammarly and reading the text in reverse to break up the brain's rhythm. Have someone else read the work to check for spelling and grammar errors. Even a friend in the office can help with this task. Time Is MoneyIt is important to be efficient and see things from a private sector mentality for contract reviewers. You must understand that every hour spent on a project is tied to an hourly rate, so the more efficient the review, the faster you get through the process. The reviewer's job is to get approvals by meeting different codes, laws, and standards set forth. It's essential to meet those expectations as efficiently as possible from the reviewer's side and is the private sector's job to provide concise and clear information that meets those expectations.More Details in This Episode…About Brian Wagner, P.E.Brian Wagner, P.E., is an engineer who specializes in civil site design and plan implementation. In addition to a career spanning nearly two decades of civil engineering, he has experience in Emergency 911 Communications, law enforcement corrections, and fire/rescue services, including K9 Search and Rescue. This different and diverse range of experiences has not only prepared Brian for his career but also positioned him to be an excellent speaker with a wide range of valuable experiences. He strives to motivate others to change their world and wants to do the same for you.The view, opinions, and positions represented by Brian Wagner are his own and do not represent the official policy or position of his employer(s).Sources/References:CADWashington Sanitary Sewer CommissionMontgomery CountyGrammarlyConnect with Brian Wagner, P.E., on LinkedInWe would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you c...
In this episode, I talk to Strauder Patton, P.E., PMP, vice president of People and Places Solutions at Jacobs. We discuss the evolving role of project managers in the industry, including the need for adaptability in the face of new demands. Additionally, we explore the important distinction between management and courageous leadership in project management and why it is critical to understand this difference.***You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Strauder: What are some of the areas that you believe project managers will need to adapt to keep pace with the new demands of the industry? What does mean to you and what are some of the things you do to drive vision and purpose in the teams you manage? What are the differences between management and leadership and why do you think it is important to understand these differences in project management? What are some of the necessary leadership traits that project managers need to be successful in their careers? What are some of the things you do to deliver projects on time and within budget? Are there any pieces of advice that you would like to provide to project managers out there on how they can continue to improve their skills and knowledge and stay ahead of the curve to deliver successful projects for their organizations and clients?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Courageous Leadership in Project Management: Since 2019, the civil engineering industry has experienced rapid and ongoing changes that are set to increase in scope and complexity. This presents both exciting opportunities and daunting challenges, as well as more uncertainty and risk that require novel solutions. As a result, it is imperative to adopt new approaches to the profession and leadership. Effective courageous leadership is now a critical component of civil engineering projects, extending beyond the mere improvement of systems, frameworks, and methodologies. Today's leaders must also be creative, innovative, and intentional in responding to the ever-changing landscape of the industry. As a project leader, your primary responsibility is to provide clarity to the project's mission, goals, and values. By doing so, you enable team members to shape their understanding of why the project is important and how it aligns with the broader goals of the organization. Ultimately, your role is to ensure the successful delivery of the project, which involves the efficient and effective execution of the plan. In other words, as a project leader, you are responsible for articulating the "why" of the project while guiding the team toward the "how" of its execution. A good project needs a mission and a purpose because we have these changing environments and different conditions, so you have to give everybody that goal and that overarching ambition as far as what you are trying to accomplish. Driving vision and purpose is about contextualizing, communicating, and helping actualize the reason for the team. To foster a successful project culture, build trust and exhibit strong leadership qualities. Hold kickoff meetings to clearly state project objectives and purpose, and ensure all team members have a shared understanding of where the project is headed. Clear communication and trust are essential to project success. Some of the necessary leadership traits that project managers need to be successful in their careers are to have the skill to create a trusting, belonging, and safe environment; make sure that everybody is empowered and all their voices are heard. As a leader, it's important to prioritize newer skills, like empathy, innovation, curiosity, coaching, communication, and resilience. In particular, resilience is a critical skill for leaders because of the dynamic nature of the business environment. Leaders must be mentally prepared and maintain a high level of energy to ada...
In this episode, we talk to Dirk Bondy, a lecturer at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and the University of California, Los Angeles, and co-author of the book "Post-Tensioned Concrete: Principles and Practice", who shares his insights on using post-tensioned concrete in projects and the importance of foundational knowledge in education. View the video version of the episode here Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Dirk: Could you explain the concept of post-tensioned concrete? You co-authored a book titled "Post-Tensioned Concrete: Principles and Practice." Could you provide an overview of the book and its practical applications for structural engineers? What advantages does post-tensioned concrete offer in engineering projects? What motivates you to continue teaching post-tensioned concrete at two universities? Is your YouTube channel featuring your lectures still accessible online? What is the current status of structural engineering education? Do you have any advice for aspiring engineers?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About The Fundamentals of Post-Tensioned Concrete Design and Implementation: Post-tensioned concrete is a specialized and growing field of structural engineering and concrete design. It uses active reinforcement to create large forces that can lift the concrete, control cracking, and flatten floors, allowing for less material usage and greater efficiency. Although initially met with fear, it has become popular and widely used in modern construction. The book discussed is divided into two halves, with the first half being notes used to teach a class and the second half providing practical examples for practicing engineers. Despite the author's expectations, the book was not well-received by the university community but has been popular among practicing engineers. The second half of the book, which includes design examples and pictures of projects, has been particularly successful. University professors are more inclined to teach prestressed concrete from a precast perspective. When working with post-tension concrete, problems such as exploding or vibrating concrete can arise due to poor handling or overbalancing. To prevent such issues, it is crucial to take the necessary precautions and show respect for the concrete. Using stud rails for confinement is highly recommended. It is important to strike a balance in post-tensioning engineering and avoid excessive conservatism. Dirk was asked to teach the pre-stressed concrete class at UCLA in 2011, which had been canceled before that. The class became very successful, and the students were happy with it. In 2014, he was asked to teach pre-stressed concrete to students at Cal Poly, which had also canceled the class. Dirk used videos from UCLA to teach the course online and found that students were able to learn just as well, if not better, than in a traditional classroom setting. He now teaches the same course at both schools, and it has been successful in attracting the best engineering minds in the region. UCLA used to tape lectures and make them available to students for later viewing. Many universities, including Harvard and MIT, started making courses available to the public, but a lawsuit brought by attorneys allegedly representing the hearing impaired caused the universities to shut down their online courses. Dirk bought his videos from UCLA and put them on YouTube to make them available to the public. He is a big fan of the concept of making courses available to anyone who wants to watch them and has received over 10,000 subscribers on YouTube. Many professors prioritize new and exciting software and tend to disregard fundamental principles in engineering. The speaker believes that universities should focus on teaching foundational knowledge, as industry professionals can apply those principles to any medium, whether it be hand drawings or advanced softwa...
In this episode, I talk to Alexandra Gore, P.E., PMP, a senior project manager and Assistant Vice President at WSP USA, about how she made a career transition within her company, some of the challenges she faced during the transition, and how she overcame them.***View the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Alexandra: What made you decide to transition to a different sector within your company? How did you approach that transition in terms of preparing for your new role? Did you have a mentor to help you in this transition? What were some of the challenges you faced during the transition period and how did you overcome those challenges? With leading so many teams, how do you ensure you remain productive and focused on the right things? What tips can you share with the listeners to ensure a smooth transition within their firm?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Navigating a Successful Career Transition Within Your Civil Engineering Firm: One of the first steps in transitioning within your company is knowing that you want a change. Speak to your colleagues about what background they have and what they can do to help you to know more about which options you have within your company. A career transition within your company could sound scary. But it can be a much safer option because if you have a good relationship with your team, you will have a support system, and you could have the opportunity to come back if the experience is not as satisfactory as you expected. Feel confident to take the risk. Your company respects and supports you and will let you make the change. Conversely, the transitioning process can be a real patience test of your ego. In this case, Alexandra went from a transportation role to an energy role, where she still had to learn new things. The Champlain Hudson Power Express project, which will bring clean energy to New Yorkers, was the biggest hurdle to Alexandra in her new role. It was an opportunity to prove herself even though it took a lot of her time to understand the process. You can’t build the process if you don’t understand it. Be honest and show your vulnerability about what you want to accomplish. Be honest with your mentors and managers because they can guide you in your transition process, and help you to go to the right place. Another critical point is to listen a lot. Being confident with the skill set you bring from one team to another is essential, but that doesn’t mean that you know everything. It is crucial to meet everybody on the team, understand what they are trying to accomplish, and understand the role they play and what they need help with. Remember to listen carefully before you dive in head-first. Anybody can learn how to be a multiplier for their team. Your role doesn’t matter — you can be a junior engineer, middle manager, program manager, or anyone in between. If you can develop skill sets to help your teammates positively multiply their impact, it will make you a strong leader. Make sure you master step one before you go to step two to be reliable to your managers.More Details in This Episode…About Alexandra Gore, PE, PMPAlexandra is a senior project manager based in the Project Delivery team working on cross-disciplinary projects across WSP USA's Energy, Advisory Services, and Transportation & Infrastructure end markets. Alexandra is an accomplished project manager and professional engineer who is passionate about transportation, mobility, energy, and the technology that fuels it all. After a decade of focusing on transportation engineering and planning, Alexandra transitioned to the Energy team within WSP USA in the spring of 2022 with the goals of increasing her project management skill set and learning as much as possible about decarbonization and renewable energy distribution.
In this episode, we talk to Lawrence Krubner, a technical co-founder of three startups, consultant, and author, about the importance of one-on-one meetings and why he thinks it is the most basic and important skill of management. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Maximizing Potential: When conducting meetings, it is best […]
The post TECC 295: Maximizing Potential: The Power of One-on-One Meetings in Engineering Management appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Erik Fjeldsted, P.E., a geotechnical engineer from IGES (Intermountain GeoEnvironmental Services), who highlights key factors to consider in designing an effective soil nail wall such as geotechnical investigation, loading conditions, and QA/QC observations.You can view the video version of this podcast episode here.Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Erik: What are soil nails and where would one use soil nails in engineering projects? What should somebody be watching for when doing construction observations of a soil nail wall? What do you do if you have never seen this kind of construction before and your senior engineer says you must document the construction of this wall? What are the main points that should be considered in the soil nail design? What loading conditions could be expected? Lastly, after you have come up with a layout of soil nails for a given height and loading, what factor of safety are you getting, and do you need to modify it based on contractor practice? What advice would you like to give to geotechnical engineers out there?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About What to Consider in The Design Process of an Effective Soil Nail Wall: Soil nail walls are a method used to stabilize a hillside by injecting soil nails into the ground and applying a layer of wire mesh and shotcrete. This helps to prevent the hillside from collapsing. It can be used in a variety of projects, whether it's for an extensive basement excavation of a large building downtown, or for providing stability in a landslide area. Many soil nail projects require observations and QA/QC on the soil nails as they are installed. When in the field, you must ensure all soil nails are installed in the right place and that the lengths match the height specified for that location. Make sure you look for the bar size and install them at the right angle. The FHWA Manual for Soil Nail Walls is an excellent reference for verification and approval tests that you might see while observing soil nail wall projects. The FHWA Manual can help you become familiar with the terminology and understand the FHWA guidelines so the project can be done correctly. A geotechnical investigation must be done before the soil nail design, which could include boring to test soil strength. You will need to use some engineering judgment to determine how many layers to use and what the loading conditions are depending on the situation. If something is done differently than you expected, see if you can change something to make it work, and try not to be inflexible when problems arise.More Details in This Episode…About the Guest: Erik Fjeldsted, P.E.Erik graduated from Utah State University in 2015 with B.S. in Civil and Environmental. Engineering and 2016 with M.E. in Civil and Env. Eng. (Geotech Focus). During the summer of 2015, he interned with Wilding Engineering (Salt Lake City), where he was completing QC for a soil nail wall. Erik worked for GeoEngineers for a year in Boise and was sent all over the Pacific Northwest to document shoring installation. In 2017, he started working at Intermountain GeoEnvironmental Services (IGES). IGES is located in the Salt Lake City area, and they generally serve clients along the Wasatch Front.Erik became a P.E. in 2019. He has worked primarily on development projects. During the time he has been with IGES, he has completed over 100 shoring designs.About the Host: Jared M. Green, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCEJared, originally from southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduated from Syracuse University’s College of Engineering in 2001 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He later went on to attain his M.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Focus) from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Campaign, in 2002. In 2003, he began working in the New York City office of Langan. He has since become a Principal / Vice President and is one of the o...
In this episode, we talk to Jeff Carmichael, a civil engineer turned software developer and co-founder of Qualomate, about his experience with quality management in construction projects, the challenges he faced, and how he overcame those challenges. He also talks about his company, Qualomate, which is a cloud-based software company that helps with quality management in construction projects, and how engineers can use existing software to make it their own.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Jeff: What are some of the biggest challenges in infrastructure projects? What would someone need to know to leverage a product like yours? How did you manage the quality management and quality control of the software you have developed? Does your software need to be installed on a computer or is it cloud-based? What advice do you have for someone who has a software idea that they want to make but does not have any experience in software development?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Implement Quality Management in Construction Projects: One of the biggest challenges in infrastructure projects is effectively communicating the planning and execution of the projects to everyone involved in the projects. Qualomate software is designed to incorporate existing workflows and is based on emails. It has a user-friendly design with a shallow learning curve. It is easier to be the only person prototyping, developing, and then troubleshooting software before it goes to production. Quality control in software development is vastly different from quality control in civil engineering and requires different procedures to be followed. In software development, using a section of code as a function is the key to repeatability without duplicating the work many times over. Qualomate software is cloud-based and runs on Amazon Web Services. Using a cloud-based service to run your software is very powerful because you utilize their servers to make your software accessible across the globe. If you have a software idea that you would like to create, learn how apps work on no-code platforms, and read about software creation and software languages like python. Try to make a few basic applications and then broaden out as your knowledge and skills expand. Do a lot of research and watch many YouTube videos to help you get the ins and outs of writing code. Write your code on the architecture of how apps work and slowly build your knowledge until you can make the software you thought about. Putting comments in your code is a great way to document what you have done and to have some quality assurance. It is also helpful to anyone else who is looking at the code to understand what has been done and why.More Details in This Episode…In the Power of Experience segment, Jeff talks about the benefits of saying yes to opportunities even though you feel hesitant about them.About the Guest: Jeff CarmichaelJeff is a civil engineer turned software developer who is currently building Qualomate, a tool for contractors that automatically visualizes inspection and test data from PDF documents on a map of the project. He started his career doing materials testing and then moved to work for a contractor. During this time, he learned about no-code app development, cloud computing, and then software development so he could build his tools.About Brian Wagner, P.E.Brian Wagner, P.E., is an engineer who specializes in civil site design and plan implementation. In addition to a career spanning nearly two decades of civil engineering, he has experience in Emergency 911 Communications, law enforcement corrections, and fire/rescue services, including K9 Search and Rescue. This different and diverse range of experiences has not only prepared Brian for his career but also positioned him to be an excellent speaker with...
In this episode, I talk to James Houston, P.E., PMP, CCM, Assistant Vice President at WSP USA, about five key lessons he learned as a professional project manager. He also touches on CCM, P.E., and PMP certification.You can view the video version of this episode here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask James: What key lesson did you learn as a professional project manager about communication? How can getting to know your team help you as a project manager? Why is it important to understand your stakeholders? Why is it important to adapt to change in the workplace? Why do you believe that to be a good project manager, you need to know what you don't know? How have your P.E., PMP, and CCM licenses helped you to grow in your engineering career? Are there any other points that you would like to make about project management in the civil engineering industry?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the 5 Key Lessons Learned by a Professional Project Manager: Communication is essential; it's 90% of what engineers do. All civil engineers communicate with the stakeholders, the team, the contractors, the vendors, or the community throughout the project's lifecycle. Communicating effectively is the key to a successful project. As a project manager, people are our greatest asset. The business or the facet of civil engineering doesn’t matter — people are the most valuable asset. As a project manager, the goal should be how you can create a high-performing team within your environment, company, business, or your organization. A high-performing team is a group of highly skilled people who work together in a cross-functional setting to achieve an objective. The objective in project management, as far as the construction management industry goes, is delivering product infrastructure projects for clients. Since people are the most valuable asset and come from different backgrounds, it’s how you get everybody involved on the same page to work together effectively to deliver the objectives and their goals for the client. One imperative quality in that process is sharing the vision. Understanding your stakeholders is essential for any project. You can look at it in two ways. From an organizational standpoint, you must understand what is important to your stakeholder. For example, what their goal is, purpose, and objectives for creating a new high-rise or interception. It will be easier for you to create a roadmap, understand the challenges that go along with it, and how you, as a team or organization, fit those needs by managing the expectations along the way. From a people standpoint, it’s more a personal, but vital perspective. Taking time to get to know your client, what their hobbies are, and learning more about their company can help you to manage their project better. The more you learn about your client and know them on a personal level, not just the professional level, enables you to manage their project better. As a project manager, you must be willing to adapt and manage change. You must understand that there will always be changes in project management, and you must know how to get ahead of the change. Dealing with change always goes back to having good communication in place across the board. Nobody knows everything, and your clients expect you to deliver a high-quality project for them. As a project manager, it’s crucial to understand what you don’t know and what your strengths and weaknesses are. It is the reason why you must have a team with diverse subject matter expertise. It will ensure you always have someone to reach out to it if you don’t know something. Always ask for help if you need it. Pick up the phone and set up a meeting to discuss the areas you are having problems with or need clarification on. Always be transparent and honest with the project owner or client. It is the best way to create trust.
In this episode, we talk to Tanya Luthi, P.E., a structural engineer and Vice President at Entuitive, talks about the unique aspects of designing with mass timber and what she thinks makes a successful timber engineer. She also touches on the link between mass timber and sustainability and how tall we can build in mass timber projects.You can view the video version of this podcast episode on YouTube here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Tanya: What are some of the unique aspects of designing with mass timber? How does the process of mass timber design differ from the more traditional steel and concrete structures? What would you say makes a successful timber engineer? What is the link between mass timber and sustainability? How tall can/should we go in mass timber? What are some of the things you should mention to the clients about the use of mass timber?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Designing with Mass Timber: What You Need to Know: Steel and concrete have very standardized specifications. However, with mass timber, there are many different aspects. The first is a natural material, so it’s very variable and more complex to understand the safety factors in building new things. Mass timber is a sustainable product, and it is interesting how professionals are understanding embodied carbon and have started to pay more attention to the energy that goes into creating things we put in buildings, and not just the energy the building consumes. A thriving timber engineer must know the principal foundations and the material behavior of other engineers in their areas of expertise. But mass timber is even more critical because there are not many precedent projects that you can look at to get your questions answered. You must often think with a blank slate about what will make sense. In the structural side and design industry, sustainability is focused on operational energy, like energy use in a building and the materials used to build the structure. The objective is to reduce operational emissions. There are different global codes related to how tall mass timber can go. Some jurisdictions in the U.S. are allowed six stories and 85 feet, but the 2021 version of the IBC allows up to 18 stories in timber. It is a large, unexpected code change because it usually comes gradually and incrementally. One of the main conversations in mass timber projects is educating clients on what mass timber entails. Successful collaboration with your client implies understanding roles, like what motivates them and what they know. In that way, you can use that knowledge to steer the conversation and focus more on the things that inspire your client. Each client has different interests as a differentiator, like the aesthetic architectural design or even sustainable construction. Structural engineering is an exciting and rewarding profession; it has much potential to give to the world. Don’t be afraid to change; you can embrace it. Almost always, the younger generation has the courage and the energy needed in the industry. But one piece of advice is to speak up because your ideas are essential and can help you to achieve better things than you have today.More Details in This Episode…About the Guest: Tanya Luthi, P.E.Tanya Luthi is a structural engineer and vice president at Entuitive, a multi-disciplinary engineering practice operating in multiple offices across North America. After obtaining her master’s degree from The University of Texas, Tanya started her engineering career in New York City specializing in large-scale institutional projects in steel and concrete. After moving to Vancouver, Canada, in 2011, she discovered a love for mass timber design and has since made it a focus in her career. In addition to her design experience, Tanya co-authored the U.S. and Canadian Nail-Laminated Timber Design and Construction Guides,
In this episode, I talk to Ryan Walter, CPC, P.E., senior civil engineer at Woolpert, and author of the book called “The YOU Project: Your Personal Guide to Self-Mastery at Work,” about a framework that you can use to help navigate your unique challenges at work and survive the difficult seasons of work.You can view the video version of this podcast episode on YouTube here.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Ryan: Why had you decided to write a book? Can you talk about the first part “Embracing YOU”? Why is overcoming relationship challenges, which is the second part of your book, important for engineers, and what steps can help engineers function well with any type of manager? The third part is about reframing your lens. What is that all about? The fourth part of your book is called: “Conquering Overwhelm.” What tips can you give the listeners to help when they are feeling overwhelmed? The last part of your book is called “Remaining Hopeful.” How can engineering professionals remain hopeful in their careers? What final advice can you give civil engineers to grow their careers?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Navigate Difficult Challenges in Your Engineering Career: The book “The YOU Project: Your Personal Guide to Self-Mastery at Work” provides resources for working professionals to handle the human aspects of their job. In school, we are not trained how to respond to solve conflicts that come up in the real world. Ryan wrote a book based on what he learned in 22 years as an engineer, not related to the technical side. The biggest project we can work on is in ourselves — how we respond to the challenges at work and how we navigate our careers. The first part of the book, “Embracing YOU,” is about your authentic self and the benefits of showing you are authentic, which will help you be more creative and resourceful in your work. Recognizing and understanding your values and questioning where your values come from can help you to reframe things about yourself. As engineers, we know there is no perfect project, but if you look for the good in something, you’ll find it even when things don’t seem right. Reframing your lens is related to finding the positive aspect of situations or projects, and how the mindset is critical in your leadership role and influences clients and others. The work volume many civil engineering firms face can be challenging because everything tends to be urgent. It is important to give yourself the flexibility to get things done. Sometimes, some tasks are more critical than others. However, it is essential to prioritize and ask for help when you are stuck. Engineering professionals tend to get many things done but do not always consider the effort versus how it impacts relationships. When you don’t have enough work to do, the experience changes, and it is easy to lose hope. The last part of the book, “Remaining Hopeful,” is about how to get through that season without being forgotten. There are different ways to stay connected, and team calls have advantages over email. Knowing your destination and where you’re going in your career can help you handle your thoughts about staying connected and present. Recognize that challenges are there, and they are there to serve you; there is always a gift in every challenge.More Details in This Episode…About the Guest: Ryan Walter, CPC, P.E.As both a certified life coach and seasoned civil engineer with over 20 years of industry experience, Ryan's mission is to help engineers and other professionals navigate through their struggles in both work and life.Ryan has worked at several engineering firms of varying sizes throughout his career, ranging from as few as 30 employees to as many as 2,000. Having experienced vastly different cultures, office environments, and management styles in his working history helps Ryan to understand f...
In this episode, we talk to Bill Keen, CRPC, founder and CEO of Keen Wealth Advisors as well as a bestselling author and co-host of the Keen on Retirement Podcast, about retirement for engineers, financial planning, company plans, and also how the stock market will affect your retirement.You can view the video version of this podcast episode on YouTube hereEngineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Engineers Can Maximize Benefits and Minimize Taxes With Company Plans: Keen Wealth Advisors is a consulting firm that helps engineers think about what their objectives are regarding their resources. Many things are involved in building wealth, and engineers need to think about starting their careers, work, and, at some point, retiring by making sure that they can handle their wealth in a way that they don’t lose it. Keen Wealth Advisors learns about how engineers think, what they expect, and how they operate their lives, projects, and career path. The firm takes those strengths and puts them into a retirement plan for the engineer, and helps them to recognize weaknesses that may also exist. High inflation, higher interest rates, and a prolonged bear market create an opportunity to continue adding more shares at a cheaper rate to increase 401(k) contributions. Also, understand the rules around your company plans, lean into the downturn as opportunistic, and don’t let it scare you out of doing what’s right. Take your financial plan seriously; it’s on to you being responsible for your plan. Look at yourself like a project or like a business. Look at your balance sheet and determine what your current assets and debts are. From there, you can get started with your net worth. Hopefully, there are some savings, but if not, you can start working on that to get some of that debt paid down and build some wealth. It is a good starting point. If you work for a big firm, you likely have a 401(k), which is a tax code in the IRS. It is the income you put aside for your retirement plan, but taxes come out of your income. The new IRS rules this year include increasing the amount you could put into your 401(k) to up to $22,500. The second edition of “Keen on Retirement: Engineering the Second Half of Your Life” is an update on some of the topics discussed in the first edition. One of them is related to economic changes brought about by the pandemic and also avoiding fast growth investments. Treat your financial plan as seriously as your work. Understand your options and where you can maximize your retirement contribution. Everyone must have six months of emergency reserve. Make sure you request that the bank pays you an interest rate on your demand deposits. Make sure your assets are titled correctly.More Details in This EpisodeAbout the Guest, Bill Keen, CRPCBill Keen’s interest in finances began at an early age when he was exposed to financial hardship. In his own words, “By age 10, I knew I would have to learn to understand saving and investing to be able to eventually assist my family.”As founder and CEO of Keen Wealth Advisors, Bill desired to build one of the country’s most personal and trusted fiduciary wealth and retirement advisory firms. With the heart of a teacher, his objective is to bring financial and retirement literacy to those serious about planning for their future. In addition, Bill and his team have a unique specialty in advising those within the engineering community on issues such as ESOP plans, compensation, taxes, and benefits planning. He brings nearly three decades of experience to the table.Bill is the bestselling author of the book, “Keen on Retirement: Engineering the Second Half of Your Life,” which can be found on Amazon. He also co-hosts Keen on Retirement, a podcast designed to provide Keen Wealth Advisors’ friends and clients with an additional tool to stay informed and educated on key issues related to retirement plannin...
In this episode, I talk to Matthew Byrd, the president and founder of Nexus 3D Consulting, and founder/host of the Reality Capture Network (RCN), about reality capturing and how it can benefit firms in the AEC industry.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Matthew: What is the Reality Capture Network and what does it focuses on? What are some of the benefits of reality capturing? Who Needs to Use Reality Capture Technologies? What opportunities does the generation coming into engineering have to be game-changers in the organizations they work for when it comes to implementing reality capture technology? What are some examples of the types of physical spaces where reality capture shines? What is the difference between terrestrial laser scanning and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)? How can companies identify which one of these two will fit their needs? What is a point cloud and what kind of firms could benefit from using it? Where do you see the model of educating people in reality capture technology going in the AEC? Do you have any examples of how reality capture technology is creating — and not taking away — opportunities?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Reality Capturing can Benefit Firms in the AEC Industry: The Reality Capture Network is a podcast that focuses on educating people on new tools and technology and how they can benefit from them. They also hold in-person conferences to further build their relationships. They have an online education center where visitors can find online tools, information, videos, and courses to learn how to use some of the technologies. The Reality Capture Network is also focusing on becoming a community where people can find information and collaborate easier through the relationships that are being built. Reality capture digitizes a job site by using a mix of tools and technologies to collect vast amounts of information from a job site. A mix of tools and technologies, like 360 cameras, drones, and laser scanners, are used for the information collecting of real-world assets and project sites. Be sure that you know what the company needs before investing in a technology or a tool. Some of these technologies and tools will become necessary to work on certain types of jobs in the future. There is a broad mix of people who are making reality capture technology a requirement in certain areas of the company. It usually begins with someone who has used the technology and discovered the benefits of using it. Many of the reality capture technologies are becoming a high interest to many industries, but there are not many places to learn about and become an expert in them. If the upcoming generation wants to learn more about reality capture software, they should look into virtual reality and immersive environment simulations. These technologies, immersive training, and digital twins will be used everywhere soon. There is not a large workforce for reality capture at present, but the people who get into it now will be the leaders of it in the next 10 years. Reality capture shines in many situations, such as above-ceiling projects, industrial facility projects, food processing facility projects, shipping facility projects, and many more. Terrestrial laser scanning, done from a tripod or handheld, is a line-of-sight-based technology, and is typically more precise than unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). UAVs are more specifically used in conjunction with photogrammetry or LiDAR for mapping out overall sites. UAVs are a much faster process than terrestrial laser scanning when it comes to large, intricate sites. The great thing about reality capturing is you can combine the data that is captured by multiple technology types into one model. UAVs are typically used for exterior scanning whereas terrestrial laser scanning is also good for interior scanning. When using a reality capture company,
In this episode, we talk to John R. Wolosick, P.E., SE, D.GE, F.ASCE, senior advisor for Keller North America Inc., about why design-build is so effective in geotechnical projects and how you can manage risk during design-build projects.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask John: How do you achieve work-life balance in today’s busy business environment? What does design-build entail? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the design-build project delivery method? What are some of the strategies you use to manage risk in design-build projects? How has your involvement in professional organizations helped you grow personally as well as professionally? What advice would you like to give to geotechnical engineers out there?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Why Design-Build Is So Effective in Geotechnical Projects: To achieve a work-life balance in an active role as an engineer, you can practice coaching in any sport your kids are involved in with the objective of spending time with them and having hobbies that are not related to the industry. Design-build is relatively new in the U.S., but it has been popular in Europe for a long time. In contrast, in the U.S., design-bid-build has been in use for a long time. One of the downfalls of design-build is that the contractor must have a foolproof system in place for checking his design, and they can’t let money be the only governance for what they provide. But if you are a good engineer who follows the codes, you can’t let that happen. The solution is an excellent method and a lot of innovation in the sector. To mitigate the risk involved in design-build geotechnical projects, you must plan and have a structure for your project development. You must make sure the design is checked adequately by a qualified registered professional engineer, and have proper quality control and quality assurance in mind. John has been part of the Board at ASCE Georgia Section for decades because the entire committee was in consulting engineering and needed a contractor on the board so they would have different opinions. Geotechnical engineers must learn about geology, even if it is variable depending on where you are. Having a broad notion of what kind of soil you can find where you are developing your project is important. Geology is the cornerstone of everything in geotechnical engineering.More Details in This Episode…About the Guest: John R. Wolosick, P.E., SE, D.GE, F.ASCEJohn R. Wolosick is the senior advisor for Keller North America Inc., Atlanta, Georgia. From this home base, he works on projects across the USA. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has more than 40 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and contracting, and is the author of more than 35 technical papers. Mr. Wolosick is the recipient of the 2008 ASCE Geo-Institute Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award. He is the Past-President of the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI – 2014-2016). Mr. Wolosick was named the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers “Engineer of the Year – Industry” in 2017 and a “Geo-Legend” by Geo-Strata magazine in 2022.About the Host: Jared M. Green, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCEJared, originally from southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduated from Syracuse University’s College of Engineering in 2001 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He later went on to attain his M.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Focus) from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Campaign, in 2002. In 2003, he began working in the New York City office of Langan. He has since become a Principal / Vice President and is one of the owners of this international land development engineering consulting firm. After 15 years at Langan, Jared has moved to the Philadelphia office and is one of the geotechnical practice leaders in that office.
In this episode, we talk to Brian Martz, P.E., a department manager at Mayes Testing Engineers, Inc., a Terracon Company, about the keys to developing an exceptional quality culture within your organization.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Brian: What is quality culture? Why do construction and engineering firms need a good-quality culture? How can engineers convince their organization that a quality program is necessary or needs to be improved? How can engineers convince their firms to adopt a quality culture? Do you have any advice for engineers and engineering leaders on how they can create a strong quality culture within their organization?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Develop an Exceptional Quality Culture for Your Engineering Organization: A quality culture is when everyone in the firm is invested in the quality program of the firm, and they understand what makes a good quality product as well as the repercussions poor quality causes. They know that they play a big role in ensuring the quality of the product is of high standards. Construction and engineering firms need a good quality culture because producing products with lower quality results in them not being as profitable as they could have been. Having a good quality culture makes a firm more risk-averse and profitable. Their clients will be happier and more comfortable with using their services again. Investing in your staff and having a good quality product will make your staff love coming to work. Keeping this kind of mentality and working toward it will help your firm to drive success on every project. Tracking the cost of delivering poor quality products can be an eye-opener to anyone who does not believe in investing in their staff and having a good quality culture. Let them understand that reworking areas of a project and having to replace lost staff members directly causes lost profit. Show them how having a good quality culture can directly benefit everyone in the firm. Be creative because every situation you find yourself in will be different. Always be looking for ways and strategizing to improve your quality and get everyone in your firm involved in it. Listening to your staff will make them more invested in improving the quality program. Let everyone understand that mistakes do happen and help them to improve in their weaker areas.More Details in This Episode…In the Power of Experience segment, Brian talks about the importance of finding the real root cause of the problem areas in projects.About the Guest: Brian Martz, P.E.Brian is a construction professional and has a diverse background in engineering, construction, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance. He enjoys challenging leadership roles and maintaining accountability, integrity, and fiscal responsibility in all job functions. Brian has diverse operational experience in production, controls, safety, quality, and environmental as well as a solid technical background to complement equally strong soft skills.Brian has a unique approach to organizational leadership and management that is centered around employee development and customer satisfaction. He provides employees with the necessary training, resources, communication skills, environment, and support.About Brian Wagner, P.E.Brian Wagner, P.E., is an engineer who specializes in civil site design and plan implementation. In addition to a career spanning nearly two decades of civil engineering, he has experience in Emergency 911 Communications, law enforcement corrections, and fire/rescue services, including K9 Search and Rescue. This different and diverse range of experiences has not only prepared Brian for his career but also positioned him to be an excellent speaker with a wide range of valuable experiences. He strives to motivate others to change their world and wants to do the same for you.The view,
In this episode, I talk to Alejandro Jimenez Gomez, the Head of Project Development for Global Offshore Wind projects at UL Solutions, about how he manages offshore wind projects, and what some of the current and future risks are for this industry.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Alejandro: Can you briefly explain what offshore wind projects entail? What are some of the current risks in the offshore wind industry? What are some of the challenges you have faced as a PM in the industry? What recommendations do you have for someone working on projects similar to yours to build and grow their careers? What do you think the future holds for the offshore wind industry? How can engineers become more involved in offshore wind projects? Are there any other points that you would like to make regarding project management in the offshore wind industry?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Effectively Manage Offshore Wind Projects: The wind reaches a higher and more constant speed offshore than on land because there are no barriers. Due to this condition, the wind is more predictable in offshore projects. Usually, offshore wind projects are big-scale projects that can take approximately 10 years to finish, and much money is involved. But they are easy to organize and get financed. There are many solutions for different foundations depending on the wind project. For example, a traditional wind turbine is fixed to the seabed, but currently, there is a boom of floating turbines. There is a lot of reliable technology for floating projects that makes floating offshore wind projects viable. However, the cost for a floating offshore wind project is higher than fixed projects, but there will be many of these projects in the coming years. There are many factors in determining the distance from the wind turbine farm to the coast, such as environmental and social aspects. The floating wind turbines can be used rather than fixed wind turbines the farther away the installations are because they have better efficiency. You must achieve an equilibrium between the distance from shore and the costs involved in connecting floating wind turbines back to the electrical grid on shore. Planning is critical in offshore wind projects, and you must add the chance of unconsidered risks in everything you do. People tend to look at risks very carefully but overlook the opportunities. Nevertheless, the opportunities are there, and if you put careful planning in to look for all the opportunities, you can easily save millions of dollars on one project. Review and optimize the schedule for every project you work on. To grow in the offshore wind industry, you must be eager to learn more and go out to sites when the opportunity arises, because you learn the most when you get involved as much as possible. People skills are fundamental in offshore wind projects where you work with a lot of people, such as contractors, stakeholders, developers, and the offshore people. Attending industry conferences and seminars will help you to build a network that will open doors for you with exciting new opportunities. The offshore wind industry needs professionals. There are many demands, but there is a shortage of professionals who can satisfy the demand. So, if you want to change or join the industry, chances are good that you will find an opportunity to do so.More in This Episode:About the Guest: Alejandro Jimenez Gomez Alejandro is a highly dedicated, results-driven project manager and team leader with more than 10 years of involvement in the offshore energy business. He has expertise in offshore wind project development, supply chain management, project execution, and market engagement, having also led business development and offshore operations strategies.Alejandro has successfully dealt with a wide range of complex multi-million projects from the...
In this episode, we talk to Eric McDonnell, P.E., the Principal at Holmes, about why mass timber is gaining popularity and how it can help you in your engineering projects. He also talks about how his time working abroad has helped grow his engineering career.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Eric: How has volunteering helped to grow your career? What was it like working in Christchurch, NZ to help with the rebuild after the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, and what did you learn from it? As an early adopter of mass timber, how have you seen the industry evolve? Talks to us about your research on Mass Timber in the United States, including participating in the NSF/NHERI Collaborative Research project to develop a Resilience-Based Seismic Design Methodology for Tall Wood Buildings. Why do you think mass timber is gaining in popularity in the construction industry? What is your opinion on the cost of mass timber, its long-term sustainability and applications in different environments, and what do you think the future holds for mass timber? Do you have any final piece of career advice for structural engineers out there?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Why Mass Timber Is Gaining in Popularity in the Engineering Industry: Starting working with Engineers Without Borders was the first step as a volunteer for Eric. He was able to connect with other organizations and work after the Canterbury earthquake in 2011. For him, it was a rewarding experience and helped him to recognize the differences in construction from the western world. Civil Engineering is a career that allows you to give back and can be fulfilling. It can open doors in your career, give you more exposure to individuals in the industry, and offer you broader opportunities in the future. Young engineers must be encouraged to volunteer as soon as possible. The UCSD shake table is the world’s first outdoor shake table and the largest outdoor earthquake simulator in the U.S. It has been upgraded recently to have more degrees of freedom. In this new configuration, the movements are multidirectional. Mass timber is gaining popularity because the sustainability aspect of this material is very important. Mass timber construction emits significantly less carbon than traditional concrete and metal structures, which gives the timber a space to contribute to reducing global warming. There are a lot of marker differentiators out there. To build an office building, you need to do something different. Mass timber is a tool that goes towards a better-built environment, but it cannot necessarily replace concrete and metal. In terms of supply, sustainability, and sourcing, mass timber is a unique material that can be grown by sun and water. Find a good workplace where you can enjoy your work and feel valuable. You spend more time with your coworkers than other people, so being around people you like, and trust is essential.More Details in This Episode…About the Guest: Eric McDonnell, P.E.Eric is a native of the Pacific Northwest and leads Holmes’ Portland office. Before his return to Portland, Eric was largely shaped by his experience working in San Francisco and post-earthquake Christchurch, New Zealand. He is well-positioned to bring knowledge of the latest techniques of resilient seismic design to his projects. With a passion for structural detailing, Eric excels in the coordination of structural elements with other design disciplines, and the design, research, and implementation of innovative structural systems.Eric has a broad knowledge of all building materials, including mass timber for which he has remained at the forefront of emerging industry standards. Working in Portland, Eric has developed an extensive portfolio of mass timber experience, including involvement in industry-leading research, mass timber design guides, and the engineering of 30+ built or under-construct...
In this episode, I talk to Matt Kastberg, who is the Regional Division Manager of Community Building for the Puget Sound Offices of Parametrix Inc., about how engineering managers can use their knowledge of past projects to inspire their team.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Matt: What is the people side of project management and what are some of the things you have learned about managing people while managing projects? How do you deal with adversity, for example, when someone decides to leave your firm? How would you say one can develop consistency in the workplace, especially when it comes to project management? In addition to managing people, you also had more than 10 projects that you were managing this year. With so much going on, how do you decide what to work on each day? What are some of the things you do to help motivate the people you manage, to ensure they also achieve success in their careers? Can you share one project management lesson you have learned that you try to implement on the projects you work on?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Your Knowledge of Past Projects Can Be Your Biggest Driver of Project Success: Most PMs want to be successful. They work very hard and manage projects successfully. There are, however, specific reasons for things to not turn out well like underestimating the budget, lack of communication, lack of mentorship, and team members not having the right tools, processes, procedures, and guidance that they can follow to succeed. Succession planning is critical to being prepared for inevitable changes. You must always be ready for changes. Succession planning provides opportunities for people to grow, develop their opportunities, have mentorship-mentee relationships, and gain project experience. As supervisors or leaders, you can create consistency in your firm by ensuring SOPs are made that can be used firm-wide and by making QA/QC procedures with good practices. You achieve it by continuing to invest in training, mentorship, engagement, and connecting with your team. Some of the strategies for managing a lot of projects at the same time are not being afraid to ask for help, delegating responsibilities, making sure you have a good team that engages and support you, having a positive interaction, and providing proactive planning. Even if you are busy, overwhelmed, or stressed, do your best to maintain a positive attitude that can keep you and your team motivated. Some ways to help your team be motivated are to:Have an understanding of what people are facing,Providing support, being transparent,Providing insights,Making sure that people understand why specific goals are set,Setting strategies to achieve those goals,Providing opportunities to grow,Recognizing and appreciating people, Having fun,and allowing socializing, connecting, and relaxing. Implementing project kickoff meetings correctly and ensuring good communication throughout the project are always good lessons to be learned by any project manager.More Details in This Episode…About Matt KastbergMatt is the Regional Division Manager of Community Building for the Puget Sound Offices of Parametrix Inc. The PSO Community Building Division consists of approximately 60 team members spanning six offices and three states in the Northwest region. The team makes up four distinct groups (Program Management/Construction Management, Owners Rep, Survey, and Community Development) that work collaboratively to provide various professional services helping our clients and partners create vibrant, sustainable communities.Sources/References:Connect with Matt Kastberg on LinkedInTranSystemsThis Episode is Brought to You by PPIPPI has helped engineers achieve their licensing goals since 1975. Passing the FE and PE exams can open doors to career advancement and new oppo...
In this episode, we talk to On Freund, who is the co-founder and CEO of Wilco, a startup dedicated to empowering developers to unlock their full potential, about why imposter syndrome affects so many engineers and how they can overcome it. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Tackling Imposter Syndrome Through […]
The post TECC 293: How Engineers Can Identify and Combat Imposter Syndrome appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Damon Ho, MBA, a segment market manager at Simpson Strong-Tie, about how getting an MBA can help you in your engineering career and the type of careers that engineers with an MBA can pursue.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Damon: Why did you decide to pursue a career in engineering and how did you identify and find your niche in the industry? What made you decide to go for an MBA and how has it helped you in your engineering career? What are some of the benefits of getting an MBA after you graduate as an engineer? How do you know which engineering discipline is right for you and what career can engineers with an MBA pursue? Why do you think saying yes to opportunities in your career is important? Why is it important for engineers to have a mentor or a role model in their careers? Do you have any career advice for structural engineers?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Getting an MBA Can Help You Elevate Your Engineering Career: If you find that you are good at drawing and understanding technical drawings in school, maybe engineering could be a career direction you could follow. Consider working toward getting your MBA if you find that you are interested in the business side of engineering and if it is convenient for you to pursue it at the time. Getting an MBA will provide you with new skill sets, like being able to interact with people outside of engineering. It will help you to realize how big the opportunities are that are available across the world. The marketing and organizational behavior concepts have a technical merit behind them that works well with technical-minded engineers. It is a new language that you can apply to your engineering skill sets and concepts. It is easier for engineers to fit into an MBA program than it is for someone with a business background to start an engineering program. Remember that a degree is just a piece of paper on the wall until you do something with it. The interaction in MBA classes is like engineering, but you will interact with people with vastly different business backgrounds. Interacting with these diverse people is what provides the value to getting an MBA. Hearing the many different points of view from many diverse people, and not only the black and white from engineering, helps you to have a much broader perspective on things. It can take time for younger engineers to figure out what their likes and dislikes are in their careers, but it is OK if you do not know. You still have time to figure it out. If you are not happy where you are now, have a positive mindset and take it as a building block for something better for you later in your career. These building blocks are the stepping stones to your happiness. Knowing what you do not like is just as important as knowing what you do like. Sometimes you must have uncomfortable conversations with your manager about your likes and dislikes and if there is a way that you can be better accommodated. Remember that feeding your negativity will never be productive for yourself and others around you. There are always uncomfortable unknowns and challenges in new opportunities. Embracing them is when you get to learn the most. Don’t be afraid to step into the limelight and contribute to solving challenging situations. New opportunities will present themselves to you from your contributions. Always remember that if your team members find something wrong with a solution you present, it is because your team is trying to find the best solution for the problem at hand, and are not trying to break you down. Having good mentors throughout your career is important because they are standing on their many building blocks that give them a wider perspective than you have. Mentors provide guidance based on their vast perspective that you cannot see yet. Observe your mentors and take mental notes on how they lead a team and ...
In this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I provide you with a three-step framework that you can use to ensure that your teams are more focused in 2023 on impactful and achievable goals.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Your 2023 Goal Setting Tips:1. Ask Your Leaders to Set 90-Day Goals While you can still ask your division and team leaders to have annual goals for 2023, also ask them to break down their goals into quarterly or 90-day goals. Quarterly goals to support their annual goals might include quarterly revenue goals, or a number of proposals or sales meetings.2. Assign a Clear End Result to Each Goal For each of the goals set, ensure that there is a very clear end point or deliverable that will be obvious once the goal is complete. Failure to define these milestones will make it difficult to stay focused on the goal and almost impossible to take step #3 below. The more defined the goal, the easier it will be to take steps to achieve it.3. Monitor Progress Weekly Once your team has set quarterly or 90-day goals, with clear deliverables, be sure to monitor them regularly, weekly if possible. This could be as simple as you opening a document with your team members’ goals at the beginning or end of your weekly team meeting and just asking if everyone is on track with their goals.More Details in this EpisodeSources/References:Contact the Engineering Management InstituteThe Project Management Accelerator™ (PMA) - PM Skills CourseThe Engineering Leadership Accelerator™ (ELA I) - People Skills CourseThe Seller Doer Accelerator™ (SDA) - Business Development Skills CourseA Challenging Goal for 2023: Give | Guide | Grow Please leave your comments or questions in the section below on any 2023 goal setting strategies that you use to set your team up for success.If you enjoyed this post, please consider downloading our free list of 33 Productivity Routines of Top Engineering Executives. Click the button below to download. Download the Productivity RoutinesTo your success,Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED APEngineering Management InstituteAuthor of Engineer Your Own Success
In this episode, we talk to John A. White, the Chancellor Emeritus at the University of Arkansas and one of the foremost engineering authorities in America, about effective leadership in engineering. He provides some great tips that you can start using right away to become the best engineering leader in your field. Engineering Quotes: Here […]
The post TECC 292: How to Become the Best Engineering Leader in Your Field appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Richard (Rich) Negri, MSCE, P.E., the owner and principal engineer of Geoterra Engineering & Construction Consultants, about engineering in the residential real estate industry, and how to manage client expectations in your engineering projects.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Richard: What do you do daily at Geoterra Engineering & Construction Consultants? What does engineering in the residential real estate industry entail? What are some of the things you do to deliver projects on time and within budget? How do you manage client expectations, and what role does communication play here? How do you ensure effective project communication among the different team members? Are there any tools or software you use to assist with this? Are there any other points you would like to make regarding project management?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Manage Client Expectations in Your Engineering Projects: Going from an engineer to an engineer entrepreneur is an exciting transition because there are several things that you must consider simultaneously. It requires professional development that you must seek on your own and a lot of learning that you don’t necessarily get on the job. You must find insights from digital mentors. Mentors can be either engineers or the owners themselves. Geoterra provides engineering in the residential real estate industry regarding structure expertise, and relies on its expertise for important financial decisions. Their clients are owners, inspectors, realtors, insurance companies, and contractors. Some of the services delivered are assessing foundations, permitting support, inspections for local jurisdictions, and structural recommendations for clients. Some strategies that you can find beneficial for getting a project set up on time are to be transparent in what you know and what you do well. Implementing a comment and process system across the variety of services you offer will ensure your workflow. Sharing calendars and implementing weekly meetings regarding ongoing and upcoming projects for a distributed workload in the team is crucial. Lessons learned in past projects are a key strategy because they may impact current and future works. Working with your clients closely is another important key strategy. Managing client expectations is critical. Implement brainstorming exercises to find out what is negotiable and feasible for the project. The two most significant aspects are effective listening and communication to ensure the project is understood and breaking down some of the complex aspects of the project that your client may not be aware of, making it easy for them to understand. It’s important to know the roles and capabilities of your team members, and what they will need during the project processes. Identify key objectives and potential pitfalls in the planning execution process — it will make it easier to identify the necessary changes that must be made along the way. The use of technology is essential to manage your team. Look at using video platforms for conferences, sharing calendars, and implementing cloud storage to create direct access to documents, no matter where your team is. The use of multi-development programs allows multiple team members to work on the same document concurrently without losing track of the information. The biggest pitfall is not understanding your client's expectations. The challenge is that we sometimes assume what the client wants, but this could result in errors being made early in the project. It's essential to fully understand what your client is looking for. There will be circumstances where you feel the client does not know what the project may entail. You must choose the correct team members with the correct skill sets to discuss those aspects and clarify the project. Your relationship with the client is valuable ...
In this episode, we talk to Krista Looza, S.E., a licensed structural engineer and principal at Buehler, about how her involvement in the Structural Engineering Association of California (aka SEAOC) has supported her career path and professional development, and why she think all engineers should get involved in professional associations.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Krista: What is SEAOC and what can it offer for structural engineers? What roles have you filled at SEAOC through the years and how have those experiences supported your professional development? Should ALL engineers get involved in professional associations? What was your experience like being a female engineering leader in SEAOC? What made you decide to get involved in the ACE Mentor Program, and how has it helped you in your engineering career? How do you decide what to work on each day while maintaining a healthy work-life balance? What is your philosophy on mentorship and training? How did you implement a mentorship program in Buehler? Do you have any career advice for structural engineers out there?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Why All Engineers Should Get Involved in Professional Associations: There are many roles you can fill and many experiences you can learn from if you are actively involved in SEAOC. It is a great place where you can develop yourself professionally. There are many kinds of training that you can be involved in to better your education, leadership skills, communication skills, and much more. It is a great community where you can build and grow your network exponentially. SEAOC is a community where you will not feel alone when times are looking bad. The community will support you through these times, which will result in feelings of comfort, peace, and knowing you are on the right track. They provide great opportunities for your professional development and building your relationships in your network. If you want to get involved with professional associations, look for a committee that is focused on your interests and what you want to be involved in. Go to the meetings about whichever topic you are passionate about. You do not have to be in a leadership role, but leadership roles are easy to come by. SEAOC is great at filling the gaps that a firm or company cannot do. Women can find female engineering role models in professional associations that they could not find in their firms. Seeing other women in leadership roles will make you realize that you too can be successful in a leadership role and lend what you have to offer to the profession and your firm. The community that you may not have in other areas of your life you will find at a professional association like SEAOC. Exposure to the diversity of our profession and industry is more available than it ever was before, and is much more accessible for our younger engineers. The ACE Mentorship Program is a friendly place where you can practice your communication and presentation skills, and it will present you with leadership opportunities. It can help you recognize patterns in your interests that you never took note of before. It is the opportunity for you to show people that are interested in your career path as well as which way you want to go. It is a great way to give back and further your profession. The best way to ensure your work-life balance as an engineer is to become a list maker. Put everything in your life on your list and calendar because everything has it’s priority, not only your work. It is all a part of your daily life. Set your list according to priority. Whatever is at the bottom of this week’s list must be at the top of next week’s list. Learn to qualify when you should say yes or no to things instead of saying yes to everything. Qualifying your engagements will enable you to set clear expectations. There can be a lack of transparency and communicat...
In this episode, I talk to Karen Islas, P.E., a professional civil engineer and STEM advocate, about how her involvement with professional organizations, STEM, and mentorship, has helped to rapidly grow her engineering career.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Karen: How has being involved with multiple professional organizations helped grow rapidly in your engineering career? You recently graduated from the San Diego Leadership Alliance (SDLA) Institute “2022 Cohort.” What did that entail and what did you learn from it? What are some of the things you have learned from your mentor experience? How have your mentors helped you in your engineering career? What are some of the challenges you faced being a woman in the civil engineering industry? Why do you believe there is a lack of representation of STEM in the civil engineering industry, and how can civil engineers become more involved in STEM? What advice can you give young women in civil engineering looking to become a leader in their field?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Women in Engineering Can Grow Rapidly in Their Careers: Being involved with multiple professional organizations will help you gain experience in many things like field engineering and construction, design, sourcing funds, and project management, and will show you how broad the civil engineering industry is. Working in civil transportation allows you to be more involved with the community and social engagement. You can start participating in professional organizations while you are still attending college. Being part of student chapters and taking part in their activities will help you see the opportunities that become available to you that can be valuable for your career development. Attending networking events, field trips, and training will help you connect with the civil engineering industry in the real world, and help you find internships and professional opportunities later in your career. If you get exposed to the public sector soon after university, you will recognize that you could work for the agencies in the jurisdiction of creating the standards for the entire industry. The San Diego Leadership Alliance (SDLA) wants to create more visibility and resources for women in STEM and civil engineering because there are many opportunities now available for them in the civil engineering industry. Being a part of the San Diego Leadership Alliance (SDLA) is a valuable experience because you can work with people from different industries. It is a great way to create connections, build your leadership skills, and engage with the community. Being a mentor at San Diego State University allows you to feel like you are helping and contributing to the development of engineers and help them grow rapidly in their careers. Mentorship can guide you on your professional path by revealing what you are good at and where you need further development and grow rapidly. It is essential to empathize with new generations because everyone started where they are now. Let them understand that they must always be willing to learn new things. Always be aware of what you say to people because you have the power to shape people in the right or wrong way. Younger engineers must learn to listen attentively to people. It is critical if they want to achieve a leadership position. You will always run into people who are not willing to support you, but you must never take it personally.More Details in This Episode…About Karen Islas, P.E.Karen Islas is a professional civil engineer and STEM advocate within the San Diego, California – Tijuana, Baja California, MX region. She worked in the public sector, at the local and state levels, following her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University. She has been involved with multiple professional organizations,
In this episode, I talk with Wayne Brown, an author, speaker, organizational coach, and the principal founder of Skills 4 Executives Limited, about leadership in engineering and how you can master success behaviors to become a more successful engineering leader. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Mastering Success Behaviors as […]
The post TECC 291: Mastering Success Behaviors as an Engineering Leader appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk about how to run a successful software pilot project at your firm by reviewing the three main stakeholder types, the design criteria for success, as well as the costs and other factors involved in this process.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Run a Successful Software Pilot Program (for AEC Professionals): A software pilot is a type of software testing where a user group trials the software before it is deployed firm-wide. The software will need to be tested under a variety of conditions to see if it meets the needs of your business. There are three main stakeholder types in the software pilot. Leadership: Leadership is a combination of senior leaders who know how the company works and financial leaders. They usually do not use the software daily, but they know how the firm runs. Getting them involved early and understanding what they are looking for is critical. Influencers: They are the mid-level people who will be using the output of the software. They care about what the software does for them and how the software will be making everyone's lives better. Getting their buy-in is critical because they are the ultimate link to the people who make the final decisions in the firm. End Users: They are the individuals working with the software daily in many aspects of their work. If they think the software does not work for them, then the pilot project will not be a success. A clear design criterion of what success looks like for your civil engineering firm must be obtained. It can include things like return on investment or making lives easier in the firm. It must be clearly defined so that the people involved in the pilot process understand what metrics are used to determine the software pilot's success or failure. There are many costs involved with any piece of software, such as licensing fees, equipment to use the software, and the training of the end users. Understanding the major costs involved gives the decision-makers the information they need to start the pilot correctly. Get the software vendor engaged early and often during the software pilot because they know the software best. The vendor will help more with the customer service side and help you run a more successful software pilot. If you set a deadline and enforce it for the software pilot evaluation, you will have a higher chance that the pilot will be done successfully. It gives you the best chance that all the steps will be taken and completed in the given time frame.More Details in This Episode…About the Host: Nick Heim, P.E.Nick is a field and VDC engineer at StructureCare, owner of Green House Property Management, and the host of the AEC Engineering and Technology Podcast. Nick’s interests lie at the intersection between the built world and technology, and he can be found looking for the ever-changing answer to the question, “How can we do this better?” He can be found on LinkedIn, producing content about the use of technologies in his civil engineering career and small business.This Episode Is Brought to You by ShingleBuilt specifically for the flexibility required by both engineers and architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms, Shingle is a web platform that connects experienced, U.S.-accredited P.E.s and CAD professionals with AEC firms to complete short-duration tasks. Engineering firms with overflow work can easily engage with the engineers virtually on the platform without a timely hiring or tedious contracting process. With a focus on building long-term relationships between the engineers and AEC firms, Shingle’s goal is to help firms access top engineers as needed and potentially for full-time employment. Find out more about Shingle and how to join the network as an engineer or CAD professional, or through an AEC firm by visiting shingleit.com.We would love to hear any questions you might have or s...
In this episode, we talk to Eugenio Jaramillo, BSEE, MBA, DTM, a quality control auditor, expert witness, corporate trainer, public speaker, and published author, about structural collapses over the past few years, what caused them, and the need to establish a QC agency to enforce a nationwide quality management system.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Eugenio: Talk to us about the history of collapses in South Florida over the past 60 years or so. What was the root cause of the Champlain Towers collapse? In 2018, there was a pedestrian bridge collapse in Florida due to an engineering design error. Can you talk to us more about what the error was and how engineers can prevent this from happening in the future? Why would you say we need an industry watchdog in the building industry? What quality control strategies do you believe should be implemented to reduce failures and help to protect the public? What is OSHA, how did it start, and why do you believe we need an agency to enforce a nationwide quality management system? How can engineers and engineering firms learn more about OSHA and possibly get more involved with them?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Quality Control as a Solution to Reduce Structural Collapses: Over the past 10 years, there have been three major structural collapses in the western areas of Miami. A part of Miami Dade College had a parking area that collapsed killing 4 people because the bottom of the columns were not grouted, and they depended on temporary tack-welding to hold up panels. A pedestrian bridge, which connected Sweet Water to the university over a six-lane highway, collapsed and caused six fatalities because work was being done on the bridge while the traffic was still moving under it. The Chaplain Towers collapsed during a rainstorm killing 98 people. This means that 108 people lost their lives over the past 10 years due to collapses, which shows that something must be done about it. The root cause of the Chaplain Towers collapse has not officially been determined as yet, but there are many opinions about what caused the collapse. The building was due for its 40-year maintenance inspection, which was a contributing factor to the collapse. Miami Beach is like an island and the soil is not very good to build on. The phenomenon called soil liquefaction occurs when there is an underwater earthquake. It is said that the army caused an earthquake on that day on purpose, which caused soil liquefaction to take place and contributed to the collapsing of those buildings. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the collapse of the pedestrian bridge. They said the root cause of the collapse was an engineering design error in the form of a miscalculation in the resistance to the sliding of the connection between the walkway surface and the truss that held the bridge up. The sliding caused cracks to form in the truss concrete that were 40 times larger than the acceptable width of a crack. An industry watchdog in the building industry is needed because there is no governing body that all the standards fall under. The governing body should make sure that everyone is doing things in the same way, protecting the public, and holding people accountable for huge errors resulting in a collapse. The implementation of quality control strategies to protect the public should be focused on getting an industry watchdog, increasing the use of artificial intelligence, training people in knowing what to look for, and ensuring that building maintenance is carried out according to the schedules. Hazards are not the big deal, but people working unsafely is. OSHA has made an impact over the past 50 years by identifying toxic chemicals that cause illnesses and fatalities in the workforce. The more people who are aware of safety and quality, the better everything will get.
In this episode, I talk to Chris Perry, Senior Vice President and Program Director at Woolpert, about the importance of building relationships with your clients and how you can provide value to their projects.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Chris: Why is client relationship important in project management? How can project managers provide a high level of service to their clients in today's challenging times? How do you communicate with your clients to show them you are not only thinking about today, but also the future? What is one thing that project managers can do to help their clients be "smarter" earlier?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Importance of Building Relationships With Your Clients: As a project manager, you must have a good handle on all your baseline information, like scope, schedule, and budget. However, having good client relationships is the key to business, expanding the business, and having repeat clients. Building existing client relationships is just as important as the quality of work your design team is putting together. You can win clients based on your approach and responsiveness, but you can also lose clients because of lack of communication. Listen to your clients and ensure you understand their priorities and goals for the project. Make sure that you are making your clients' lives easier. Project managers can provide a high level of service to their clients in today's challenging times by communicating with them regularly and ensuring their teams are solution-focused and the next step is driven. You must be able to rely on the technical capability of your team leaders and use all the technology you have available to you to be continually communicating on all your projects. Look for areas where you can provide value to your clients by utilizing your experience and using new technologies that are suitable for their projects. Use your experience and technologies to help the client understand the value of the services you are providing. Bring value to your clients by helping them to be smarter earlier. It can be done by doing site investigations early in the project and letting the client know what can be developed, the cost of the development, and how long the development will take. It enables your client to make better decisions about proceeding with the project based on the criteria. Getting the community involved in the project will help you to discern if the project process will be straightforward or challenging. Use updated technologies, like SITEOPS, to evaluate the site development costs on a project. What could have taken weeks to evaluate a project can now take you days to complete. Speeding up the development assessment process helps your clients be smarter earlier. If a project has challenges, find the big issue challenges early so that neither side ends up spending a lot of money pursuing a project that is not going to work.More Details in This Episode…About Chris PerryChris Perry is a creative site designer with over 35 years of experience supporting land development clients. Projects include all types of commercial, housing, and industrial developments ranging in size from 200-acre master-planned centers, mixed-use lifestyle centers, and big box retail developments to the redevelopment of shopping centers and national single-tenant rollout programs throughout the country. Chris is a Senior Vice President and Program Director with Woolpert, an industry-leading international architecture, engineering, and geospatial (AEG) design firm, and a civil engineering graduate of Case Western Reserve University.Sources/References:WoolpertSITEOPSConnect with Chris Perry on LinkedInWe would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on why you think building relationships with your clients is important.Please leave your comments, feedback,
In this episode, we talk to William (Bill) Coulbourne, P.E., F. ASCE, F. SEI, a structural engineering consultant and owner of Coulbourne Consulting, about the key changes in ASCE 7-22 wind load provisions that will impact the design of buildings for wind.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Bill: How will the new changes impact the design of buildings for wind loads? Talk to us about the first change, which is the added wind load provisions for tornado wind loads. What does the second change to the wind load provision, that was to remove tabular methods of wind pressures from chapters 27, 28, and 30, involve? The third change was to revise the Component and Cladding charts of pressure coefficients and simplified processes. Can you please talk to us more about that? There were also provisions made for ground-mounted solar arrays. Why were these changes needed and what are some of the potential benefits of ground-mounted solar arrays? Another change was the added wind load provisions for elevated buildings. How will this impact the design process for structural engineers going forward? The last change was the added provisions for rooftop pavers. How will this change affect structural engineers in the field? Do you have any career advice for structural engineers on how they can avoid making costly errors during the design process?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Significant Changes to the Wind Load Provisions of ASCE 7-22: The changes to the ASCE 7-22 wind load provisions focus only on the component and cladding loads because they experience higher wind pressure than the rest of the structure. The provisions have been made simpler than in previous provisions by reducing the number of steps needed in the processes of getting the loads on components and cladding. The added provisions for tornado wind loads came about because of the number of severely damaging tornados that have occurred over the past 10 years. Everything about tornado loads can now be found in ASCE 7-22 chapter 32. The development of tornado hazard maps enables us to determine the hazard risk for a tornado in any part of the country. The provision changes focus mainly on risk category 3 and 4 buildings for tornado loads. The tabular methods of wind pressures were removed from the wind load provisions because it was realized that updating all the tables due to small changes was cumbersome, and everyone can do it on their own since the formulas have been in the standard all along. The revision of the Component and Cladding charts of pressure coefficients and simplified processes was done because, on previous revisions, the wind coefficients were driven up due to the smaller areas on the wind charts that were analyzed. Doing this increased the pressure on smaller areas, and lost the distribution factor of wind pressure across larger areas and the load-sharing across multiple fasteners. Now the small areas are capped at 10 square feet and nothing smaller, and the larger areas are now 100, 200, and 300 square feet, with nothing above or in between these values. The provisions for ground-mounted solar arrays were added because there were previously no professional guidelines for wind loads on them. Now, with the help of solar array professionals, provisions have been made for solar arrays. The added wind load provisions for elevated buildings came about because there were no wind load provisions for the underside of elevated buildings. Many engineers previously incorporated the wind provisions for the roof of the buildings into the underside of the building plans. The new provisions give engineers something that is science-based and should be more accurate than what was previously done. It provides a consistent method that everyone can implement. Rooftop pavers have added provisions because of a significant increase in the use of rooftop pavers across the U.S.
In this episode, I talk to BJ Kraemer, the President and CEO of MCFA, and host of the podcast Inspiring People & Places Podcast, about how he leverages his leadership abilities of the veteran community to enhance project delivery, build successful project teams, and implement professional development at his firm.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask BJ: Why do you think it is important to train employees and to ensure they are satisfied in their jobs? What leadership lessons have you learned in building a company (delegating, elevating, and empowering team members)? How do you believe core values drive culture and "ideal" hires and clients? Why would you say veterans would be a good fit for the engineering and construction industry?Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Benefits of Professional Development for Civil Engineering Firms: Professional development for civil engineering firms is an obligation between the employer and employee, and it must be seen as a partnership. As a company, developing your staff must be a strategy to ensure it is the best place for them to build their career. To do this, you must know what their personal needs and professional desires are and build a roadmap or plan around those two things. You must be intentional about it, communicate it with your employees, and build your processes around it. Investing in your people is the thing to do. Training does not work if the managers and leaders are not bought into the topics or do not use them on the job. If you do not take any action with the training that is received, then it just becomes knowledge in your head. If you figure out how to apply it daily, it becomes valuable, and where wisdom comes from. When you are building a company and all the systems are not in place, delegation is difficult to do. It can confuse the staff because nobody knows what is expected of them and what their responsibilities are. When delegating tasks, always leave room for more clarity, guidance, and the definition of success for the project or task. Allow two-way communication to verify what is being delegated. When you get good at delegating, you can then elevate yourself to better use of your time. To get the best core values for your company, take the five best employees and ask them what makes them unique to the company. Select the best answers they gave you that can be implemented throughout your company and make them the core values that your team uses in everything they do. Rewarding and recognizing staff members when they excel at applying the core values of your company will motivate other staff members to apply the core values more rigorously. Veterans bring a unique skill set with them to the engineering industry, but they are not getting jobs, or they are joining big businesses that are very transactional. Veterans now have many opportunities to create missions and meaning and use their leadership skills in the AEC industry. Our teams and the industry need more leadership and people management training. The DOD to AEC initiative is about providing a talent strategy while increasing the leadership and people management acumen of the AEC industry. Veterans are a great employee base who bring a ton of training in the leadership and management side with them.More Details in This Episode…About BJ KraemerBJ Kraemer is a visionary leader focused on building businesses and inspiring people (clients and employees) through positive and entrepreneurial culture and value creation. He is a former Active-Duty Engineer officer with extensive leadership experience in both combat engineering operations and large-scale Government and Military Construction Programs. BJ brings over 15 years of leadership, program management, business development, and strategy consulting experience to engineering, construction, infrastructure, and real estate development initiatives.
In this episode, we talk to Sam Feller, a mechanical engineer and founder of Awkward Engineer, about how he turned a $500 initial investment into a 5-figure income, and how his obsession with pressing red buttons led him to start his own business. Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How This Engineer […]
The post TECC 290: How This Engineer Turned a $500 Investment Into a 5-Figure Income appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Louis Aaron, a senior at Princeton working on a geotechnical software program to help geotechnical engineers record soil data in the field and why he thinks it will be the future of geotechnical engineering.Engineering Quotes:Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Aaron: How did your interest in the geotechnical field started? As someone whose academic focus is on data and data analysis, what was it about the geotechnical engineering industry that caught your attention during your time at your internship? Since returning to school to finish your degree, you started building a product to solve some of these problems. Can you give us a sense of what that solution looks like, and tell us why you think it doesn’t exist yet? Why do you believe this class of software is the future of geotechnical engineering, and what does it mean for engineers’ careers today? Where are you with your solution now, and how can people get involved? What advice would you like to give to geotechnical engineers out there?Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Make Geotechnical Software More Readable and Usable in the Future: Sometimes older software packages can be limiting engineers by the way they do things and cannot do things. They also provide many places for data error re-entry and human error when the same data is captured multiple times. There has been a lack of innovation regarding geotechnical data capture software, and many engineers have been waiting a long time for an updated solution. It is the reason why Louis decided to start developing updated software that geotechnical engineers and public sector companies can use. Louis’ solution is a web-based platform where engineers and geotechnical labs can enter or upload their geotechnical data. The data is then stored in the same data structure for firms and geotechnical labs, which reduces the need for data re-entry. It helps geotechnical engineers spend less time on data entry and quality checks and focus more on the important work they should be doing. Louis’ solution is still in development, and he is getting feedback from engineers, municipalities, and DOTs on where it can be improved and what can be added. The website version of this solution will be made available in the beginning of December. The tablet app is still very much under development but should be ready for prelaunch in mid-December 2022, and made available to everyone by February 1, 2023. This kind of data entry solution will be the future of geotechnical engineering data capture because many different institutes are already requiring a form of data to be submitted digitally to them, and the demand is expected to grow significantly over the coming years. Proactive geotechnical engineers will start generating very valuable and easily searchable databases to enable borings to be mapped instantaneously. If you would like to get involved in this venture or would like more information about it, please send Louise Aaron an email. Geotechnical engineers must not be afraid of digitization. Most geotechnical data is already entered digitally but in the wrong format. Transitioning to cloud-based platforms is simple and the process should take around an hour. Once you have a viable database, you can start to perform analysis very easily. Do not procrastinate about digitization in your company. It is easily done and it will unlock many tools for your company.More Details in This Episode…About the Guest: Louis AaronLouis is currently a senior at Princeton University studying Operations Research in the engineering school.He took a gap year in 2020-2021 to work for nine months at The Boring Company (TBC), Elon Musk's tunneling venture, and worked on the tunnel system in Las Vegas.He was exposed to geotechnical engineering through TBC because a small part of his job was to permit and log soil borings.
In this episode, I provide clarity on the true meaning of quality control and how it applies to engineering documents including proposals, executive or overview summaries of reports, public hearing statements, and much more. I also talk about the need to measure assumptions and what type of language to avoid or supplement in your quality control efforts.
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the true Meaning of Quality Control and How It Applies to Engineering Documents:
To the public, quality control is focused more on products and not necessarily on service, and is generally thought to mean consistency. They say that it means assuring the results are reproducible and expectations are met each time. Quality control is also seen as producing the same product continuously without changes, defects, or variations. Engineering documents can be seen as a product that engineers try to consistently reproduce without any defects or variations. The goal in engineering is to always have a great product with the best solution. If changes are made to the product that reduces the quality, it should be put back to the way it was before. Do not let change happen just because it happens. Make an effort to make beneficial changes. Accuracy can be seen as another form of quality control. The product must be reviewed for accuracy and must look and function the way it was intended to. All flaws and faults must have already been identified and corrected before it is delivered to the public. The public has a relatively accurate idea of what quality control is for the physical product they want to get. The public expects that they will get something that is of good quality, but it must be able to be repaired and maintained. When working with quality control, certain words should not be used and some words can be replaced. Some of the words that engineers use can have connotations and expectations that go with them professionally, legally, and for the end user. For example, the words, “all, best, and none,” are terrible words for engineers to use because they refer to the extreme. Words like the word "stop" are directive words and should only be used by people on an authoritative level. Alternative use words like "highly trained” evoke expectations. The word "must" should be changed to words like "may" and “in accordance with.” The word “all” should be replaced with “most or some.” The use of these words, and many more, should be thought about when compiling things like proposals, reports, and after-the-fact documentation. Always consider what the public and end users will think about. Use language that everyone can understand and come to the conclusion you are trying to bring across. Cost estimates have become very challenging over the past couple of years. Caveat your cost estimates by saying things like, "This is the anticipated cost based on our knowledge and recent experiences, and cannot be guaranteed.” As engineers, we always have liability with everything we do, but the degree of mitigation must be determined. Our goal as engineers is to tenaciously apply sound principles.
More Details in This Episode…
About Brian Wagner, P.E. Brian Wagner, P.E., is an engineer who specializes in civil site design and plan implementation. In addition to a career spanning nearly two decades of civil engineering, he has experience in Emergency 911 Communications, law enforcement corrections, and fire/rescue services, including K9 Search and Rescue. This different and diverse range of experiences has not only prepared Brian for his career but also positioned him to be an excellent speaker with a wide range of valuable experiences. He strives to motivate others to change their world and wants to do the same for you.
Sources/References: Speaking with Quality – Free Download Connect with Brian Wagner, P.E., on LinkedIn
We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can s...
In this episode, I talk to Mallory Wilde, P.E., a transportation-focused civil engineer from Parametrix, about how you can bring your genuine self to project management by being open and honest with your team and clients. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Mallory:
What was your experience like in becoming a project manager? What would you say is the biggest key to success in project management? How do you ensure a project stays within scope, schedule, and budget? How often do you meet with your internal team, and why are team meetings important in project management? Are there any techniques you use for approaching difficult conversations with clients? How do you communicate openly and honestly with your team, and why is it so important for the success of a project? How do you know when to say no at work and how can one do it politely and effectively as a project manager?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Be Your Genuine Self in Project Management:
The biggest key to success in project management is bringing your genuine self to each project and client. Being open and honest about the project with your team and client is key to getting buy-in on the project early on. To ensure a project stays within scope, schedule, and budget, you must ensure you stay in constant communication with your team. In the kickoff meeting, ensure everyone understands the scope, schedule, and budget and what is expected of everyone. Set up weekly or biweekly meetings with both your internal and external teams to ensure everyone is constantly updated. Use technology to your advantage by setting up team channels for each of your projects and have your project teams and clients on the channel. It can be used to chat, share files, and log the current issues in the project. Have a weekly internal budget sent to you so that you can continually check that the budget is still on track. Depending on the size and budget of a project, try to meet with your teams at least biweekly. Schedule more check-in meetings with the teams that are currently working on a big part of the project to ensure things stay on track. Being upfront and honest with your client from the beginning of the project will make it easier when approaching difficult conversations with them. They will know that there is a true problem and that you are not trying to pass something by them. Remember that you cannot fake experience and you must show empathy toward your clients. There is only so much you can do as a project manager while delivering great client service. Look at the opportunities you have and decide which will be a good fit for you. Speak to the other opportunity givers and let them know you will not be taking it and try to refer them to another method or person that is better suited for the task.
More Details in This Episode… About Mallory Wilde, P.E. Mallory is a transportation-focused civil engineer who specializes in local agency work, particularly with Kitsap County, Washington, clients. Her experience varies from designing and managing roadway, stormwater, transit, and a variety of other multidisciplinary projects. Over the past few years, Mallory has spent much of her time supporting design projects for multiple clients throughout Kitsap County, including the cities of Bremerton, Poulsbo, and Port Angeles, Kitsap County Public Works, and Kitsap Transit.
Mallory has about 10 years of industry experience, with eight of those years being with Parametrix. She currently serves as the Bremerton, WA, office's Transportation Design Group Lead overseeing a group of transportation engineers and design professionals in that office.
Outside of work, Mallory recently welcomed a new member to her family, her nine-month-old son, Logan. Being a new parent and the new roles and responsibilities that being a parent brings heavily influence her approach to project management,
In this episode, we talk to Geoff Smith, PE, LEED AP, a Senior Associate at Silman, about the process of existing buildings renovations, and how teamwork plays a major role in these types of projects. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Geoff:
What is meant by the words "existing building" and how can an existing building be sustainable? Retrofitting an existing building can oftentimes be more cost-effective than building a new facility. How do you determine if the investment is worthwhile? What is a probe campaign and how does it affect the renovation process? Why are reviews of existing documents important when retrofitting a building? What about the existing building history? Do you also have to review that? What were some of the pros and cons of working with government agencies? What makes a good collaborative team and how does it affect the projects they work on? When working on renovations over a long time, how do you manage and improve team dynamics? Do you have any career advice for structural engineers when working on building projects?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Renovation and Restoration of Existing Buildings:
An existing building is a building that is already there and has already been built. Existing buildings are sustainable and are worked with to reduce greenhouse gasses and carbon footprints. If the bones of a building can hold up to what the program is for the structure, it is better and more cost-effective to renovate the building instead of tearing it down and building a new one. You will help the environment and help the owner achieve what they are looking for. Tearing down a building, and then constructing a new one is hitting the carbon footprint twice. The old materials must be removed and then the new materials must be manufactured and constructed in their place. Probe campaigning is taking down a building’s finishes until you are left with the structure. It is the best way to confirm if the building drawings are still correct or if there have been modifications to the building and the plans have not been updated accordingly. They are a good way to reduce the risk of a project and understand what work will need to be done to bring it up to standard. When a building was built and where it was built gives a good indication of how it was built. It will help in doing probe campaigning in the correct areas of the building. Understanding the construction methodology at the time it was built has great value. Without knowing the history of the building, you will not know where to start working on it. All drawings of renovations must be submitted to the government departments for review. The reviews can take some time to be done because they have very specific requirements that must be on the drawings. It is to ensure that you are not putting too much load onto the structures that are already quite old. Buy-in from both the design team and the construction team makes a good collaborative team. If you have project teams that work together on a project and are not combatant, it makes the project go a lot smoother and faster. To manage and improve team dynamics over a long time, you must have many face-to-face meetings to iron out any conflicts that may arise. Face-to-face meetings help to let each party see that the emails they send and receive involve other people. Having out-of-work events with your teams helps to boost collaboration because everyone is seen how they are in personal time instead of just being a structural engineer. You must always be willing to learn because between materiality and technology, everything is always changing. If you learn something well, do not be afraid to learn something else well too.
More Details in This Episode…
About the Guest: Geoff Smith, PE, LEED AP Geoff Smith joined Silman in 2004. As an Associate co-managing a studio, he oversees renovations,
In this episode, I talk to Paul Lee, P.E., ENV SP, Energy Policy Analyst at the City of Los Angeles, Mayor's Office of Sustainability, about a great opportunity that presented itself to him, touch on the different civil engineering career paths and their role in climate change, and discuss some of the challenges they face when working on renewable energy projects. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Paul:
Can you please tell us about yourself and your career paths to date? What made you get interested in policy? What are some of the major challenges civil engineers face when working on renewable energy projects? What is the role of civil engineers in combatting climate change? How did you end up transitioning from a civil engineer associate into a policy-making role? You were chosen for the lead role in the new ASCE film, called “Cities of the Future: Reimagining Our World.” How did you end up being chosen for the movie? What is the movie about and how do you think it can help educate civil engineers on important industry-related changes?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Civil Engineering Career Paths:
Moving from civil engineering to policy can be a big jump from doing technical calculations to doing things like writing memos, writing speeches, and making policy recommendations. The skills you learn as a civil engineer can be transferred to policy making. With everyone wanting to move to clean energy, civil engineers will need to move mountains to build clean energy infrastructures such as solar farms, wind farms, energy storage systems, and geothermal. It brings huge opportunities for civil engineers to reshape the landscapes and place renewable energy systems on the ground. Some of the challenges are the sheer volume of land that is needed and getting the renewable energy systems approved, built, and getting the correct people onboard the projects. New forms of energy storage technology are needed to ensure the grid is balanced. Civil engineers can have an immediate impact on climate change by implementing better materials used in their projects. Concrete, asphalt, and cement are high contributors to greenhouse gasses, but using things like low-carbon concrete can will have an immediate impact on climate change. You can start reducing carbon emissions right away by the way you spec your structural systems and having your projects LEED- or Envision-certified. Transitioning from civil engineering to a policy role can have a learning curve. Having an interest in policymaking will be a help in your transition. You can expect to have a lot of writing and communication in a policy role. Your civil engineering analytics and reporting must be brought over to the public and politicians in a simplified and condensed way that tells a story to get an emotional response. Your story must be told in a way that convinces people that it is the right thing to do. You will still be doing civil engineering by doing deep analysis to find the correct solutions to problem areas. Paul was chosen to be the lead role for the ASCE movie called, "Cities of the Future: Reimagining Our World." He was chosen because of his many years of involvement with the ASCE, and because he has an interesting and inspiring story to tell the future generation. He is helping to put the groundwork for a future city to thrive by being carbon-free and running entirely on clean energy. The movie is still in production and will so far be featuring three cities: Los Angeles, Amsterdam, and Singapore. Engineers and innovators from these cities are trying to make them the cities of the future, and the film shows how they are trying to prepare them to get there. The technical professionals discuss their journey, experiences, and visions of what their cities can be in the future.
More Details in This Episode…
About Paul Lee, P.E., ENV SP
In this episode, we talk to Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D., a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant, about vertical leadership development, what that is, and how organizations can help vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Why Engineering Firms Need Vertical […]
The post TECC 289: Why Engineering Firms Need Vertical Leadership Development appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Conrad W. Felice, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., P.Eng, D.GE., F.ASCE, the Managing Principal at C. W. Felice, LLC as well as the Adjunct Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Florida, about soft ground tunneling projects and his experience working with design-build projects and industry associations. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Conrad:
What does the committee of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) do, and how it is helping the tunneling industry? How does a tunnel built in soft ground — such as clay, silt, sand, gravel, or mud — compares to hard rock? What are some of the factors to consider when selecting the most appropriate method for a particular tunnel? When working on tunneling projects, how do you maintain product documentation? How has reading contracts properly helped you in your tunneling projects? Why would you say it is important to take risks in your career? Can you talk to us about your participation in industry associations and professional development, and how it has benefited your engineering career? What final piece of advice would you like to give to geotechnical engineers out there?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Keys to Success in Managing Successful Tunneling Projects:
TRB is associated with the National Academy of Sciences, and has a large annual meeting that encompasses all transportation planning, design, and execution through construction. The Tunnel and Underground Committees promote and advance both research and design issues related to the development and safety of underground works. Geology plays a large role in soft ground tunneling projects, and there have been many advancements in mechanized tunneling. Tunnel boring machines are widely used to excavate the tunnel while erecting the segments and lining system. Ground conditions trump everything when selecting the most appropriate method for a particular tunnel. Things to be considered are hard, gravely, or soft materials, running sands, and different geologic and soil static conditions. The excavation methods are mainly mechanized systems and hand or conventional excavation. With design build being the dominant use of procurement methodology, you have submittals that are focused on design. They must be attentive to contract language and the demand requirements of the submittals. The documentation avoids words like approximate and significant. It must be specific about what you are designing, how big it will be, and what the pressures are. You must have precision in your documentation and pay attention to the contract requirements, and the requirements of the local area. Reading contracts properly keeps you out of trouble. The contract is the governing document that you must adhere to. As in design-build projects where limited information is provided, the contract governs what it is you must do and what the local requirements are. If you submit design submittals that are not addressing all the contract requirements, you could have schedule impacts on the overall project. Taking risks in your career comes down to personal choices and where you would like your career to go. Young engineers should stretch themselves and take on challenges and responsibilities that are a little beyond their current capabilities. It will give them a great opportunity to learn more from the projects and their mentors. It will make them better professionals and enhance their careers as they move forward. Your participation in industry associations and professional development will be a great benefit to your career in terms of exposure to a range of individuals across different disciplines. Meeting so many different people will also expose you to many new opportunities to take advantage of throughout your career. You will learn many things that you can implement in other associations and which will benefit your career immensel...
In this episode, we talk to Kenneth James Taylor Jr., PE, a licensed Professional Engineer and a Senior Project Manager/Civil Engineering Group Leader at Verdantas about quality control for young professionals and how engineering managers can ensure their staff uses the correct quality control procedures in their projects. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Kenneth:
As a young engineering leader, why is quality control important to you in your career? What is the outlook of a young professional on quality control? How has your involvement with professional associations helped grow your engineering career? Verdantas was created as a part of private equity acquisitions and they used a different approach to develop their quality control procedures. Can you tell us more about that and the procedure you use for quality control? What technology are you using across your team to assist with quality control? How can engineering managers ensure that young professionals are using the correct quality control procedures in their projects? What suggestions would you have for someone who would be considering a career similar to yours? What is the best way to connect with you should someone want to get in touch or learn more about what you are doing in your career?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Quality Control For Young Engineering Professionals:
Young engineers do not know what quality control soon after they graduate. As an engineer, we are called to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. It is why quality control is important because it is making sure you are doing your job correctly. Young engineers must ensure that quality control is one of the first things that they must learn about when they start their careers. Young engineers must understand that they need to know quality control and why it is important. They must look at learning quality control as a way to grow in their career. Getting someone else to look at your work is a way to iron out problems, and maybe even come up with different, more efficient ways to do things. Involvement with professional associations can help grow your engineering career because having piers outside your company that challenge you can help to push you forward in your career. Volunteering to help out in the associations will open many opportunities for you to take advantage of and gain more experience by working with many other professionals. It will help you to build a diverse network of people that you can lean on. Verdantas' goal is to be experts in the environment and its supporting infrastructure and to be committed to the people in the company. It is a group of companies that consolidated into one large company which involved putting all their different procedures and processes together. It took many different kinds of professionals from different areas to pull together and make their unique quality control procedures that can be followed throughout the company. A company's quality control software must be adapted to suit what is happening in the company at any given time. Utilizing software like Bluebeam and Microsoft Teams can help to do things digitally and reduce the number of emails being sent back and forth. It can streamline efficiency from a quality control perspective. Leaders can ensure that younger engineers are using the correct quality control procedures by having many check-in meetings with them throughout the project. They must lead the young engineers and work with them to solve problem areas. The more leaders show what procedures they are following and how they do it, the better the younger engineers will get at what they do. If you are considering a career in engineering or land development, do it. You can make an impact and make a difference in many things because of your work. If you are looking for an organization to join,
In this episode, I talk about how you can hold your project managers accountable and why it matters by providing you with three specific steps you can start implementing right away. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Hold Your Project Managers Accountable: The reason that holding project managers (PMs) accountable is important is that your project managers are the cash flow engine of your firm. They dictate how profitable your projects are. If they are not performing at a high level, the ship may be sinking, so to speak, in terms of your company financially. And unfortunately, oftentimes what happens is if your PMs are not accountable, their projects aren't going to do well financially, although they may do well enough that you won't notice it fast enough to rectify this problem.
Your PMs must be held accountable regularly. That being said, let's look at how you hold your PMs accountable. Here are three specific steps that you could take to do this:
Step 1: Set Clear Expectations You need to make it extremely clear from the very beginning of their tenure as a project manager what you expect from that person as a project manager and what must be done from a companywide perspective. Firms that have good project management manuals, and good project management processes, typically have clear expectations. When we conduct project management training for firms, especially when we build custom programs, the first session of the training, especially if it's a fundamentals course, covers the expectations the company has of project managers.
The other thing you must do in this first step is to not only define the company’s expectations of project managers in the scope, schedule, and budget, but also let them know how you are going to measure whether they're meeting these expectations or not. You could tell someone what you expect from them, but not have a way of measuring it. You must be clear about how you are going to measure it. Develop some metrics of measurement and communicate them to the PMs early on. In all fairness, you cannot measure someone on something unless they know they are being measured on it. It is a critical component of setting clear expectations. Step 2: Monitor Your Project Managers Consistently and Regularly Managing or overseeing leaders can be a tricky thing because there must be a good balance between managing people and not micromanaging people. You want to be able to tell people that you trust them and want them to lead the team effectively. You know they could be a great project manager, but at the same time, you can't let them go off on a tangent, especially if they are a new project manager managing million-dollar projects without oversight or mentoring. The next important piece of this step is to measure and monitor them against those metrics regularly. If you say you are going to be keeping a close eye on their project budgets monthly, ensure that you measure them monthly. The best way to do it is to have them involved in this process.
Ask them to run a report once a month, share the report with you, and have a 15-minute call or meeting about the report in which you both review the projects. If you do this every month, you will see how they did every month, why some months were better or worse than others, and why some projects were better or worse than others. This way, you can have the conversations that you need to have. But if you tell them you're going to measure them against something and you don't, then you are not holding them accountable. Step 3: Meet Regularly With Your Project Managers and Discuss the Good and the Bad If you said that you were going to measure them on a monthly or quarterly basis, you must measure them and identify what are they doing wrong and try to correct it. Note, though, that people tend to perform better when they are also praised for what they are doing.
In this episode, Mathew Picardal. PE, SE introduces our new co-host for the Structural Engineering Channel podcast, Rachel Holland, P.E., an engineering supervisor for the south-western region at Simpson Strong-Tie. They discuss the kind of work she does and how she plans to serve you as the new co-host of the show. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Rachel:
Tell the listeners more about yourself and what you do daily at Simpson Strong-Tie. What attracted you to Simpson Strong-Tie, and how did you decide to move from design work to manufacturing? What are some of the qualities of Simpson Strong-Tie that make you want to stay working for them? The R&D side of engineering is always interesting, can you tell us more about what you did as an R&D engineer? Can you tell us more about the work you do that relates to deck design and building code-compliant decks? What excited you about the opportunity to become a co-host, and what is your goal of being a co-host of The Structural Engineering Channel Podcast? To end off here, do you have any career advice for structural engineers based on your journey?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed in the Episode:
Rachel is the managing supervisor at Simpson Strong-Tie’s Riverside manufacturing facility. Her roles include customer service and providing technical support. They also do things like lunch-and-learns and educational workshop presentations. She is considered as one of the company’s deck experts, or what they call a “dexpert", who teaches people how to build code-compliant decks. Rachel first learned about Simpson Strong-Tie at one of their educational workshops at the college she was attending. She started networking with the Simpson Strong-Tie reps after she entered the design world. After a few years, one of the reps contacted her and asked her to apply for a position in their company. She has now been working happily at Simpson Strong-Tie for the past 12 years. Simpson Strong-Tie is a large international company that supplies engineering and manufacturing services that provide many different growth paths that can be taken advantage of. There is always room to grow in the company which broadens your experience and keeps you motivated and inspired. Research and development are about finding ways to make things safer where safety is lacking. It is a team environment where the members can collaborate and come up with new ideas. The engineer looks at the calculations and test results to ensure they are in line with the acceptance criteria. You will use your innovative and creative side and it involves a lot of breaking things in the tests. Rachel became a “dexpert" by working with many things related to decks in her research and development role. There are a lot of opportunities in developing safer decks like having proper ledger attachments and different requirements for railings. She takes part in tradeshows and workshops where she teaches people how to make safer decks. Using the DCA6 makes it easier for someone to build a deck properly. With the state bills that are now in play, it is vitally important that the inspectors get proper training on decks. Rachel is excited to become a co-host on The Structural Engineering Channel podcast because she will have the opportunity to speak to many professionals about what they are working on. She also wants to help motivate the next generation of engineers by talking about interesting topics so that they can see that it is a fun profession. Structural engineers must remember that there are many opportunities that they can take, and they must never feel like they are stuck doing something. Everything you learn along the way can play an important part in determining where you are going next. Be open-minded and make your career what you want it to be.
More Details in This Episode…
About the Hosts
Mathew Picardal, P.E., SE
In this episode, I talk to Mary Lamie, P.E., the Executive Vice President of The St. Louis Regional Freightway, Bi-State Development, about how supply chain disruptions are affecting engineers and the projects they work on. We also touch on infrastructure investment and some of the latest developments in the freightway to support workforce development. Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Mary:
What's your role in setting infrastructure priorities and how is it tied to the supply chain? How do supply chain disruptions affect engineers and the projects they work on? Which technologies have the biggest impact on supply chain performance? How does infrastructure influence site selection for the manufacturing and logistics industries? What is the importance of multimodal connectivity and its importance from an infrastructure perspective? Can you provide us with an example of infrastructure innovation, as well as states and regions working together to support infrastructure investment? Can you talk more about workforce development and some of the latest developments in freightway to support workforce development? What final piece of advice can you give engineers out there to help mitigate the effect that supply chain disruptions have on their projects?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Supply Chain Disruptions Are Affecting Civil Engineers:
Upgrading the Merchants Rail Bridge enables two trains to cross it at the same time, improving efficiency. In turn, the barge industry said their number one project is the Merchant's Rail Bridge because their barge rates are tied to having cost-effective rail rates. This shows that the weakest link in a supply chain is the most critical part. Having a testimony like this allows the elected leaders and D.O.T.s to be more effective when setting the transportation priorities because one project impacts all the modes of transportation. There were already supply chain issues and congestion building up before the pandemic, and work was being done to mitigate supply chain disruptions. Civil engineers can be part of the solution by finding ways to use all modes of transportation for their projects. Developing the technology of the predictability of freight movement has been focused on and has made significant advancements in recent years. It can predict if there is or will be a supply chain disruption in real time. It will help freight companies be prepared for disruptions and find alternative freight methods when needed to keep the supply chain moving forward. Freight and manufacturing companies are looking for locations near infrastructure. They are looking for locations that have the efficiency, mobility, and predictability of all modes of transportation because it has a big impact on the costs involved. The efficient infrastructure supports multimodal flexibility and connectivity that allows traders to take advantage of the infrastructure efficiently. Traders look for regions that can provide them with multiple transportation choices to avoid supply chain disruptions as far and as much as possible. The St. Louis region is partnering with other ports along the Mississippi River to establish new options for transporting container cargo. It will result in a large cost saving because the inland water system is already the cheapest mode of transportation, and the vessel will be able to transport around 2,300 containers at a time. The ports are in the process of coordinating the infrastructure and could be ready to provide this new option of transportation by the end of 2025. Freightway is supporting workforce development by taking part in public-private partnerships, where their transit operators work with tenants in the industrial parks to help them be more efficient. Offering your staff transit passes can be used as a benefit to enhance staff retention because it offers an easy way for indu...
In this episode, we talk to Ramzi Marjaba, a senior sales engineer at Ixia Solutions Group at Keysight Technologies, about sales engineering and the skills and qualities you need to become a successful sales engineer. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Become a Successful Sales Engineer: Sales engineering […]
The post TECC 288: How to Become the Most Successful Sales Engineer at Your Company appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Ramzi Marjaba, a senior sales engineer at Ixia Solutions Group at Keysight Technologies, about sales engineering and the skills and qualities you need to become a successful sales engineer. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Become a Successful Sales Engineer: Sales engineering […]
The post TECC 288: How to Become the Most Successful Sales Engineer at Your Company appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Shailesh Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Technology at ClickUp, the fastest-growing productivity platform, about building a hyperscale engineering organization and retaining talent in today’s environment. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Building a Hyperscale Engineering Organization: ClickUp is a work platform that […]
The post TECC 287: Building a Hyperscale Engineering Organization: A Foolproof Hiring & Retention Strategy appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Caroline Hon, Head of Gas Network Strategy and Planning at National Grid, about different job opportunities engineering, developing your soft skills and STEM education. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Career Advice to Young Women Considering a Career in Engineering: STEM education starts with […]
The post TECC 286: Career Advice to Young Women Considering a Career in Engineering appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Caroline Hon, Head of Gas Network Strategy and Planning at National Grid, about different job opportunities engineering, developing your soft skills and STEM education. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Career Advice to Young Women Considering a Career in Engineering: STEM education starts with […]
The post TECC 286: Career Advice to Young Women Considering a Career in Engineering appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Henry Suryawirawan, VP of Engineering at Flip, about the process of transitioning from individual contributor (IC) to management, and how engineers can deal with failures in their engineering career. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Transitioning from an Individual Contributor to a Manager in Your […]
The post TECC 285: Transitioning from an Individual Contributor to a Manager in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Henry Suryawirawan, VP of Engineering at Flip, about the process of transitioning from individual contributor (IC) to management, and how engineers can deal with failures in their engineering career. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Transitioning from an Individual Contributor to a Manager in Your […]
The post TECC 285: Transitioning from an Individual Contributor to a Manager in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Richie Norton, an award-winning, bestselling author, and entrepreneur about his new book called “Anti-Time Management: Reclaim Your Time and Revolutionize Your Results with the Power of Time Tipping.” He provides some very interesting facts on “time management,” or rather, anti-time management, and might just change the way you think […]
The post TECC 284: The Power of Time Tipping for Engineers: Prioritize What Matters Most appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Richie Norton, an award-winning, bestselling author, and entrepreneur about his new book called “Anti-Time Management: Reclaim Your Time and Revolutionize Your Results with the Power of Time Tipping.” He provides some very interesting facts on “time management,” or rather, anti-time management, and might just change the way you think […]
The post TECC 284: The Power of Time Tipping for Engineers: Prioritize What Matters Most appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Lawrence Romine, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Altium, about how engineering industry trends and the future of manufacturing in engineering will affect engineers. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Industry Trends Are Affecting the Engineering Industry: The biggest engineering industry trend from an […]
The post TECC 283: How Industry Trends Are Affecting the Engineering Industry appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Nikhil Bodhankar, PE, LC, LEED AP, Principal at Bergmann Architects, Engineers and Planners which joined Colliers Engineering & Design in 2021 about his career development and his path to becoming a principal and leader in his firm. He also provides some great steps you can take to become an […]
The post TECC 282: From Engineer to Principal: How to Become an Established Leader appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Dana Sherrell, Vice President of Engineering at Boulevard, about leading through influence as an engineering leader and how you can keep an engineering team on track when a company experiences rocket ship-like growth. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Leading Through Influence: Being comfortable […]
The post TECC 281: Leading Through Influence as an Engineering Leader appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Dana Sherrell, Vice President of Engineering at Boulevard, about leading through influence as an engineering leader and how you can keep an engineering team on track when a company experiences rocket ship-like growth. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Leading Through Influence: Being comfortable […]
The post TECC 281: Leading Through Influence as an Engineering Leader appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Marcus Fontoura, Former Corporate Vice President at Microsoft Azure, as well as Zuzu Tang, a software engineer at Microsoft, about the power of internships and the impact that new-in-career engineers can have on projects for Microsoft Azure, including going from intern to full-time employee. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some […]
The post TECC 280: The Power of Internships for Engineering Students appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Daniel J. Brateris, MS, BS, an electrical engineer and engineering educator, about how project-based learning for engineering students can help build relationships, plan career paths, impress employers, and build additional skill sets. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Project-Based Learning: Project-based learning (PBL) is a […]
The post TECC 279: The Benefits of Project-Based Learning for Engineering Students appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Monica Parkin, AMP, provides some great tips for the introverted engineer to help them excel in their engineering career. One lucky listener will also win a copy of her book. To enter, tell us why you think networking for engineers is important by leaving a comment below. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some […]
The post TECC 278: The Introverted Engineer: How to Survive in the World of Engineering appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Anand Safi, a senior engineering leader at Mark43 about the importance of building a strong engineering culture and how engineering leaders can help with developing organizational culture at their firms. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Building a Strong Engineering Culture: Engineering culture refers […]
The post TECC 277: Building a Strong Engineering Culture appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Nathaniel (Nat) Forgotson, Vice President, and Program Manager at Science Systems and Applications, Inc about effective public communication skills for engineers, and how he used wrestling to train students on public speaking skills. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Public Speaking Skills: Getting an […]
The post TECC 276: How This Engineer Used Wrestling to Train Students on Public Speaking Skills appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Wendi Pillars, author, educator, leader, visual strategist, and graphic facilitator, about visual thinking and how it can help engineers to strengthen their thinking skills and become better communicators. Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Visual Thinking for Engineers: If someone does not understand what you are saying, […]
The post TECC 275: Visual Thinking for Engineers: Become a Better Version of Yourself appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Dr. Nehemiah Mabry, P.E., an engineer, educator, and entrepreneur based in Raleigh, North Carolina, about his career, his involvement in STEM education, and the inspirational STEM content for students and educators that he puts out there. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Engineering and […]
The post TECC 274: Engineering and STEM Education: Why It Is Important appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Tom Kirkham, founder and CEO of IronTech Security, about cybersecurity defense systems for engineers and how engineering firms can secure their businesses against ransomware attacks by establishing a security-first environment. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Engineering Firms Can Secure Their Businesses Against […]
The post TECC 273: How Engineering Firms Can Secure Their Businesses Against Ransomware Attacks appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Sonja Price, a top career strategist, salary advisor, and leadership coach for mid-level corporate professionals, about career strategies for engineers considering a transition in their engineering careers. She also talks about how engineers can turn the “Great Resignation” into the “Great Transformation” to advance their careers. Engineering Quotes: Here […]
The post TECC 272: Turning the “Great Resignation” Into the “Great Transformation” appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk about career planning, and more specifically, about why you should create a 5-Year Plan. I talk about what your plan should include and provide four very important steps you can take to ensure you reach the goals you set for your five-year career plan so that you can become proactive […]
The post TECC 271: Creating a 5-Year Plan in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Luis Duque, PE, M. ASCE, SEI, a Bridge Engineer at Foothills Bridge Co, and host of the podcast called Engineering Our Future, about the importance of establishing a creative outlet outside of engineering, and how entrepreneurship and volunteering can help you to advance in your career. Here Are Some […]
The post TECC 270: How Engineers Can Fuel Their Creativity and Find a Creative Outlet appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Theodore (Ted) Colbert III, Executive Vice President of The Boeing Company and President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Global Services about diversity in engineering, how diversity can benefit an engineering firm, and how engineers can help promote diversity through mentorship. Ted also received the 2022 Black Engineer of […]
The post TECC 269: Diversity in Engineering: Celebrating Black History Month With Ted Colbert appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Jeff Doolittle, a software architect and transformational leader with more than 20 years of experience designing and architecting software systems about the importance of complexity in engineering, and how engineers and engineering leaders can manage complexity in their organizations. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed […]
The post TECC 268: How Engineers Can Manage Complexity in Their Organizations appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk about why it is so important for engineers to push themselves outside of their comfort zones by sharing a recent experience I had and how that experience helped build my confidence. I also walk you through a five-step framework that you can use to push yourself out of your comfort […]
The post TECC 267: Why Engineers Should Push Themselves Outside of Their Comfort Zones appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Dagna Bieda, a software engineer turned career coach, about mentorship in engineering, why it is important for all engineers to have a mentor, and how you can be a great mentee too. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed in This Episode: There are many things you […]
The post TECC 266: Mentorship: Why All Engineers Need to Have a Mentor appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Jeff Perry, MBA talks about how you can find career fulfillment. He shares a framework that will help you on your journey and some actions that you can start taking right away to get on the path to engineering career fulfillment. Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Finding Career […]
The post TECC 265: Finding Career Fulfillment in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Steve Foran, P.ENG, CSP, MBA, engineer, founder of Gratitude at Work, and author of the book “Surviving to Thriving – The 10 Laws of Grateful Leadership,” about leadership and how engineering leaders are leading with gratitude to enhance how they lead. He also talks about how engineers can build […]
The post TECC 264: Leading With Gratitude: Tips for Engineers to Enhance How They Lead appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Jessi Hall, the Senior Director for Vertical Integration at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Pullman, Washington, about her career and how she transitioned from engineer to engineering director at a large firm. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Transitioning From Engineer to Engineering Director: If […]
The post TECC 263: Transitioning From Engineer to Engineering Director appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk about performance reviews, and how you can prepare for your next performance review by providing you with three questions that you should ask in your next one. I recently wrote about this topic on the ASCE blog and based on feedback and interest, I thought I would it would be […]
The post TECC 262: 3 Top Questions Engineers Should Ask at Their Next Performance Review appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Russ Krajec, a “recovering patent attorney” who believes that IP (intellectual property) can be used as a financial instrument. He is the author of “Investing in Patents” and one of IAM’s Top 300 Patent Strategists. He talks about using patents as a financial instrument in engineering, and why it […]
The post TECC 261: Using Patents as a Financial Instrument in Engineering appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Pamela A. Scott, an executive coach to CEOs and business owners, focusing on communication, managing people, leadership, and emotional intelligence. You might have seen some of the inspirational articles she has authored on The Engineering Management Institute blog before. She’s also been a guest speaker for EMI’s program, The Civil […]
The post TECC 260: Top Skills All Engineers Need to Excel in for Their Careers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Hazim Macky, Vice President of engineering at Coinme, the largest licensed cryptocurrency cash network in the U.S about why one-on-one meetings are so important for both engineers and engineering leaders and how they can benefit your relationship with your team. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points […]
The post TECC 259: The Lost Art of Effective One-On-One Meetings appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Frank E. Falcone; AP, P.E., D.WRE, CAPT USN (ret)., the Director of Professional Development and Experiential Education in the College of Engineering (CoE) at Villanova University, about engineering education, how it has changed and will change, and how engineering students can focus their career plans and goals for a […]
The post TECC 258: Change in Engineering Education: What Does the Future Hold? appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Zachary White, a career coach known for helping engineers, about the importance of work-life balance. He also provides some great tips to manage burnout, fear and uncertainty and remain a productive engineer. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Manage Burnout, Fear, and […]
The post TECC 257: How to Manage Burnout, Fear, and Uncertainty and Remain a Productive Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Zakary Smith, an entrepreneur, innovator, and the founder of Instaversal, an engineering company that creates true partnerships that enable companies that develop and scale products to accelerate their complete product development lifecycle, connecting with a vetted global supply chain of experts. Zack provides some great tips on how you […]
The post TECC 256: Finding the Right Engineering Career Path (That Best Fits Your Professional Passion) appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Lesa Edwards, MPA, CJSS, MRW, ACRW, CELDC, a Master Resume Writer, Certified Job Search Strategist, Certified Executive and Leadership Development Coach, award-winning podcaster of The Exclusive Career Coach, Master Practitioner of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and international speaker on job search topics. We talk about how you can develop […]
The post TECC 255: Developing a Growth Mindset for Career Success appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Matt Warzel, CPRW, CIR, a certified professional resume writer, career coach, and outplacement expert with over 10 years in human resources and career advancement techniques. He will provide some great tips and strategies on how engineers can find job opportunities during this global crisis, including talking about best practices […]
The post TECC 254: How Engineers Can Find Job Opportunities During This Global Crisis appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Andrea Dallan, an engineer, an entrepreneur, and CEO of Dallan Spa, an Italian family business about efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing. Andrea will list four specific aspects that you can implement in your firm to improve efficiency in your engineering business. The strategies can be applied in one’s career […]
The post TECC 253: Four Ways to Increase Efficiency in Your Engineering Business appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Mark Kinsella, the VP of Engineering at Opendoor, a real estate company in California, about entrepreneurial engineering. He also discusses the four key components of culture in a firm and provides ways on how you can empower your teams to be more productive. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of […]
The post TECC 252: Entrepreneurial Engineering & Engineering Culture appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Mark Wainwright, principal, and owner at Wainwright Insight about building your skills as a sales engineer. He also discusses what firms can do to help increase their team’s sales skills and confidence to help grow their businesses. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Building […]
The post TECC 251: Building Your Skills as a Sales Engineer (To Help Grow Your Business) appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Aaron Moncur, a mechanical engineer who runs a mechanical design firm called Pipeline Design & Engineering and the host of the podcast “Being an Engineer,” a podcast that collects and shares industry knowledge and best practices associated with the discipline of engineering. We talk about his career journey and […]
The post TECC 250: From Laid Off to Starting an Engineering Firm appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Lucas Marino, D.Eng., PMP, CMRP, a systems engineer and integrated logistics support manager – entrepreneur, and owner of EAST Partnership and MCS, LLC, about life cycle engineering and how it fits into integrated product support. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Life Cycle Engineering […]
The post TECC 249: Life Cycle Engineering and How It Fits Into Integrated Product Support appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Matthew G. Dick, P.E., an engineering leader working at a transportation technology company and moonlighting as a sci-fi author. Matthew talks about his career journey growing as an engineering leader and the experience while writing about it in a sci-fi novel. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key […]
The post TECC 248: Growing as an Engineering Leader and the Experience of Writing About It in a Sci-Fi Novel appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Prof. Russell D. Dupuis, Ph.D., an electrical engineer, and professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and co-winner of this year’s Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, talks about the use of LED (solid-state lighting) in engineering and how LEDs changed the world and will continue to do so. Engineering […]
The post TECC 247: How LEDs Changed the World of Engineering (Solid State Lighting) appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk with Charles Muse, a Program Engineering Manager at General Motors in Detroit, Michigan, about his career and some of the major projects he has worked on, including his passion for people and the development of STEM. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Engineering a Passion […]
The post TECC 246: Engineering a Passion for People and the Development of STEM appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Michael Tranmer, PEng, MSc, PMP, a bestselling author, professional engineer, and TEDx speaker talks about how he worked through difficult life events and how those events led to opening some great opportunities in his engineering career. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Working […]
The post TECC 245: The Three C’s to Working Through Difficult Life Events as an Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Andrew Sario, an intelligent transport systems engineer and OT cyber specialist, creator of Engineering IRL, and engineering book author, about problem-solving skills for engineers. Andrew provides some great tips that will help you to master these skills and become the best engineer you could be. Be sure to listen […]
The post TECC 244: Practical Problem-Solving Skills for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Mark A. Herschberg, M.Eng, a seasoned executive and cybersecurity expert and author of the book called: “The Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You” about the importance of career planning, networking, communication, leadership, and management as an engineer. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the […]
The post TECC 243: Career Planning and Leadership Progression for Engineering Professionals appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I answer critical career questions from engineers about career planning, licensing, work-life balance, credentials, finding a job, working remotely, and more, and also talk about happiness in your career. These questions are from a Q&A session where I answered career questions for engineers. During these sessions, I take career questions from engineers […]
The post TECC 242: Critical Career Questions Answered for Engineering Professionals appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Laura Berman Fortgang, career analyst, executive coach, author, and professional speaker from New Jersey about how businesses and individuals can thrive during uncertain times and navigate change. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Navigate Change: People like to feel that they have […]
The post TECC 241: Finding Patterns in Chaos: How To Navigate Change in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, and in honor of recognizing Black History Month, I talk to Kameelah Samar Majied, PMP, Associate Director and Diversity Champion at Merck about Black women in engineering and STEM. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. […]
The post TECC 240: Celebrating Black History Month with Kameelah S. Majied, PMP appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Dr. Andrew Temte, President and Global Head of Corporate Learning at Kaplan, about his forthcoming book Balancing Act: Teach, Coach, Mentor, Inspire, which is about being an effective leader of people through teaching, coaching, mentoring, and inspiring. Andy talks about balance in life, balance at work, and balance between […]
The post TECC 239: How to Effectively Lead People (Teach, Coach, Mentor, Inspire) appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Tiffani Teachey, a senior mechanical engineer and international best-selling author about STEM, and the importance of becoming involved in STEM, especially as a young girl. She talks about the books she has authored and how she uses that accomplishment to shape our future generations by encouraging girls to become […]
The post TECC 238: Shaping Our Future Generations Through STEM Outreach appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Tamara Baynham, PhD, an electrical engineer and director of Clinical Research at EBT Medical, Inc., based in Toronto, about women in STEM. She provides nine great tips on how women in STEM can navigate career challenges with confidence. Engineering Quotes: Here Are 9 Tips for Women in STEM […]
The post TECC 237: 9 Great Tips for Women in STEM: Navigating Career Challenges appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Shawn Livermore, a bestselling author, software engineer, consultant, and tech startup founder. He wrote a book called Average Joe that has lit the world on fire and has given hope to people, explaining that anyone in the tech world can create and that anyone on the peripheral of tech […]
The post TECC 236: How to Level up in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Tiffany Dawson, an ex-mechanical engineer turned career coach for women in STEM about a difficult time she went through in her career, and how by getting the support she needed, she was able to use that experience and help other women around the world to excel in their careers. […]
The post TECC 235: Women in STEM – Take Back Control of Your Career and Life appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we talk to Sol Rosenbaum, P.E., CEM, an energy engineer and founder of The Engineering Mentor, about the importance of mentorship and networking in your engineering career and explain how it can benefit your engineering career. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Professional Networking Tips and Tricks […]
The post TECC 234: Professional Networking Tips and Tricks for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, our new host, Jeff Perry, MBA talks to Dennis Doran, a leading expert in the construction industry with more than 30 years of experience, and the author of the highly praised book, Soft as Steel, about the importance of valuing and developing soft skills to build relationships and succeed in business and […]
The post TECC 233: Developing Soft Skills for a Successful Career in Engineering appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Bill Keen, CRPC, the founder and CEO of Keen Wealth Advisors, about the election year and financial planning and how it can affect you as an engineer. Bill provides some great tips on how you can be prudent when it comes to financial planning and making decisions as to […]
The post TECC 232: How the Upcoming Election Can Affect Financial Planning for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I am very excited to share some BIG NEWS with you. The Engineering Career Coach Podcast will have a new host. Many of you might have heard of him on some of our previous episodes or read some of his articles. He is no other than Jeff Perry, MBA, the founder of More […]
The post TECC 231: Mindsets Fuel Behavior, and Behavior Fuels Results appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Jay Jayaseelan, the founder of Learning Through Robotics, a STEM platform that teaches and reinforces STEM concepts through “hands-on” activities using robotics technology. Jay talks to us about how STEM courses can help kids excel in science and math and how hands-on learning play and learning through robotics methods […]
The post TECC 230: Hands-On STEM Learning in an Online World appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Justin Nguyen, the founder of GetChoGrindUp, a movement to help students navigate their way through college. We talk about LinkedIn for engineers, how to get started on it, and how to grow your network. Justin also shares some pretty amazing tips with us that will definitely help you to […]
The post TECC 229: Tips and Tricks on How to Leverage LinkedIn for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk about how you can stay safe and keep healthy during the coronavirus pandemic by changing the way you think and doing things differently daily. During this pandemic we are indeed dealing with tough times, but if you can adapt a positive mindset, you might just find that even within these […]
The post TECC 228: How to Stay Safe and Keep Healthy During the Coronavirus Pandemic appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Bill Keen, founder and CEO of Keen Wealth Advisors. Bill was previously seen on episode 214, where he talked about retirement for engineers. In today’s episode, Bill talks about how what is happening today with the current pandemic is affecting the stock market and our everyday lives as well […]
The post TECC 227: The Impact of the Pandemic on the Stock Market: Securing Your Financial Future appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Devora Zack, MBA a bestselling author, global keynote speaker, and leadership consultant. Her internationally released books, “Networking for People Who Hate Networking, 2nd Edition” “Singletasking”, and “Managing for People Who Hate Managing” are translated into 45 languages. Devora talks to us about networking and provides some great tips on […]
The post TECC 226: Networking Tips for Introverted Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Christian Knutson, CEng, P.E., PgMP, F. SAME, who has co-hosted this podcast in the past and now serves as the Europe Program Manager for Stanley Consultants. He is responsible for managing and coordinating Stanley Consultants’ activities in the U.K. and Europe as well as providing program/project management delivery and […]
The post TECC 225: How Project Management Skills Contribute to Your Overall Success as an Engineering Leader appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Tony Munson, author of People Skills for Engineers. Tony talks about the technical and non-technical skills that engineers need to possess to become successful engineers. He also talks about how you can make a good first impression on your boss, and explains how to correct versus criticize someone. His […]
The post TECC 224: People Skills for Engineers: Making a Good First Impression appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, in honor of Black History Month, we talk to Julius Hudson, who is a civil engineer, a STEM Advocate, and the National Professionals Chair at the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Julius talks about how NSBE has helped him in his career and what it means to be culturally responsible. Engineering […]
The post TECC 223: Celebrating Black History Month With Engineer Julius Hudson of NSBE appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, we celebrate National Engineers Week by telling you what National Engineers Week is, and why it is important. We also highlight some interesting news stories about the engineering license and share some of the responses we received from our listeners about a question we asked on […]
The post TECC 222: Celebrating National Engineers Week and Thoughts on the Professional Engineering License appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
One of the most important aspects that is needed when starting to cultivate an inclusive management style is building trust. Not only do you need to include your team in conversations, but you also need to empower your entire team.
The post TECC 221: Cultivating an Inclusive Leadership Style as a Technical Professional appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
To grow in your career, you need to understand that people and the relationships you build with them are of utmost importance.
The post TECC 220: How to Build Relationships With Your Engineering Team appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Before you can be productive, you’ve got to start thinking the right way.It is very hard to define productivity when you don’t have your goals lined out. When you have your goals set and you know which way you are supposed to go, everything will start falling in place.
The post TECC 219: The Productivity Mindset for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I will walk you through five questions and use these questions as a brainstorming process to help determine your 2020 goals.
The post TECC 218: 2019 Reflection and Setting 2020 Goals: Your Engineering Guide appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Identify suitable opportunities for your engineering team to build new competences. Focus on what they want and any weaknesses or development needs.
The post TECC 217: How to Support the Professional Development of Your Engineering Team appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, we’re kicking off a series where we will be diving into the four key drivers of great engineering managers. I talk to Seth D. Scheilz, Professional Engineer at Black & Veatch in Kansas City, about the first key driver: providing your team members with engineering career growth opportunities.
The post TECC 216: Providing Engineering Career Growth Opportunities to Your Team appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Provide your younger professionals with a custom mentor. This mentor should already be an effective manager or leader in the same field that the younger engineer are aspiring to manage, so that they can learn from the mentor.
The post TECC 215: The Life Cycle of a Great Engineering Manager appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
To project manage your own financial life requires some real thought and discernment. You need to have something to retire to and not just from. Think about what your retirement will look like, from a social aspect as well as a relational aspect.
The post TECC 214: How to Engineer Engineering Retirement appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Most successful engineers agree that taking risks and doing things that were uncomfortable in their careers were the things that have helped them most in their careers.
The post TECC 213: The Scariest Things You Should Do in Your Engineering Career – Pick One Today appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Not having the time to mentor somebody cannot be used as an excuse. If you want to succeed as an engineer or as a leader, you need to commit to helping others.
The post TECC 212: Mentoring Matters – How to Find a Great Engineering Mentor Regardless of How Busy People Are appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Sometimes we don’t take risks because we can’t actually get ourselves to do it; remember that real success happens outside of your comfort zone.
The post TECC 211: Transitioning from Engineering to Marketing appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I am taking you with me on a road trip to the offices of Burns Engineering in downtown Philadelphia where you will listen in on a conversation between myself and Laura Hughes. Laura practiced as an engineer earlier in her career but is now the Director of Business Development at Burns Engineering, […]
The post TECC 210: Business Development Skills for Engineering Professionals appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Everybody's problems are different because their circumstances are different - so treat people in a flexible nature that is reasonable.
The post TECC 209: The Importance of Having Fun in the Engineering Workplace appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
The best way to rise in a company is to solve the problems that your boss doesn’t even know they have. Sometimes this can lead to a disagreement between you and your boss, but it also might just be what you need to advance in your career.
The post TECC 208: Why Engineering Intern Tori Thomas Published Her Disagreement with Her Boss on LinkedIn appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
If the water gets hot in your career, do you have someone that will throw you a life vest and help you get up again? Disaster can strike at any time in your career and that is why you have to create stability around yourself in your career.
The post TECC 207: How to Avoid Becoming a Frog in Boiling Water in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
What makes us successful as an engineer is not solely what’s going to bring us success as a leader or a partner. We need to be really tuned in with who we are and grow in our profession.
The post TECC 206: The Truth About Engineering Partnership: The Good, The Bad, and The Potentially Ugly appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Constant communication on the things that you can improve on is very important in your career journey, and especially within the first 90 days at your firm. The first 90 days when starting a new job is like an extension of your job interview. Your managers will want to make sure that you are a good fit for the company and that they make a good hiring decision.
The post TECC 205: Starting a New Job: How to Succeed Faster in the First 90 Days of Employment appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
There are ways to show your company you're ready for engineering management, but it takes extra time, dedication, focus and the ability to stretch yourself.
The post TECC 204: How to Show Your Company You Are Ready for Engineering Management appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Five Years, 260 Weeks, 1820 days, 2,620,800 Minutes. What will you do with it? What could you do with it? Where Will You Be Five Years from Now?
The post TECC 203: Where Will You Be Five Years from Now in Your Engineering Career? appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Look at the things that are important to you and determine what the 80/20 drivers are in your career and life. Do you have deadlines around them? If it is important to you, you should have a clear and defined deadline.
The post TECC 202: How to Use Deadlines as Productivity Tools in Your Engineering Career and Life appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
An introvert is not simply a shy person or somebody that is not outgoing. It is someone who needs time to recharge their batteries alone after they spent a lot of time with people.
The post TECC 201: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Tackling the Job Search for Rising Introverts appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Ram Iyer, an engineer with a business degree, tallks about business thinking skills and the techie mindset and how you can develop these skills.
The post TECC 200: How to Develop Business Thinking Skills for Engineers and Techies appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Lisa Earle McLeod, a global expert on purpose-driven work. She is the author of five books, including the bestseller: Selling with Noble Purpose and we will be talking about how you can lead with a noble purpose, and how by doing this, you can improve your engineering career and […]
The post TECC 199: How Engineering Professionals Can Lead with Noble Purpose appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I am speaking with Chris Marshall, P.E., Regional Geotechnical Engineer at Professional Services Inc. (PSI) in Houston, Texas. We talk about the strategies he uses when dealing with everyday distractions in his engineering career and we discuss the difference between a maker’s and manager’s schedule, and how you might utilize these different […]
The post TECC 198: Maker’s Versus Manager’s Schedule for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with consultant and keynote speaker Molly McPherson, M.S., APR. We outline strategies to communicate more confidently and clearly, and we also discuss how you can become more effective on social media, specifically LinkedIn. These two topics can have a massively positive impact on your professional development efforts. Engineering Quotes: Here […]
The post TECC 197: How to Confidently Communicate In-Person and Online for Engineers with Molly McPherson appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I will be speaking to Jakob Heuser, an engineering leader, writer, speaker and entrepreneur about the intersection between people’s careers and the company objective. For this episode we will have a guest co-host named Carolette Wright. Carolette is a mechanical engineer and she has been an avid listener of our show who has […]
The post TECC 196: Where Passion Meets Productivity: The Intersection Between People’s Careers and the Company Objective appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I am going to discuss the four books that I am currently reading and how these books, or really how my reading process may help you as an engineer. I decided to create this episode because engineers are constantly asking me what I am reading or what books they should be reading to advance […]
The post TECC 195: The Four Books That I Am Reading Now and How They Can Help You as an Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I outline two different approaches to professional development. I explain the advantages and disadvantages of each of these approaches, and how you can use them to increase your overall success in your engineering career and life. Engineering Quotes: Here are the 2 different approaches to professional […]
The post TECC 194: Do You Prefer Sprinting or Jogging with Your Professional Development Efforts? appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Jim (a false name used to keep our guest anonymous), a young engineer who had to spend some time in prison soon after he graduated college. We talk about everything he went through while in prison as well as the things he learned and how his experiences have contributed […]
The post TECC 193: What Prison Has Taught This Young Engineer and How it Can Help You appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Rich Archbold, senior engineering director at Intercom. We talk about an article he wrote called: “People leave managers, not companies. Don’t let that manager be you.” Engineering Quotes: Here are some of the key points discussed about why engineers quit managers and not companies: One of the most important […]
The post TECC 192: Why Engineers Quit Managers Not Companies appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with award-winning journalist and host of the Peggy Smedley show, Peggy Smedley about cyber-security and hacking and how it affects us as engineers in our work as well as in our personal lives. Engineering Quotes: Here are some of the key points discussed about hacking and how it puts our engineering […]
The post TECC 191: Hacking and How It Puts Our Engineering Systems at Risk appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, you will be listening in on a conversation between myself and Christopher Geiger, PE who is an Engineering Director with Lockheed Martin on a pretty interesting topic that we haven’t talked about much on the podcast which is sustaining long term projects with short term technology. He will also tell us about […]
The post TECC 190: Sustaining Long Term Projects with Short Term Technology with Christopher Geiger appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Paul Axtell about something all engineers are involved in, which is meetings. Not just the “M-word”, these are the individual and team interactions that make projects happen, and Paul provides us with some great take-aways you can use to take your meetings from ordinary to extraordinary. Engineering Quotes: Here are some of […]
The post TECC 189: Taking Your Meetings from Ordinary to Extraordinary appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I speak with Professor Jim Tinjum, who is the Associate Chair of the Department of Engineering Professional Development at University of Wisconsin-Madison. We talk about his roughly 1300-mile, 14-day bike trip across the Upper Midwest and what made him decide to take this bike ride for sustainability. Engineering Quotes: Here are the top 10 […]
The post TECC 188: Taking Action – A Bike Ride for Sustainability appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Adam Zach, PE, a project engineer at an environmental engineering firm in Grand Forks, North Dakota. We talk about the importance of goal setting for engineers and how setting goals has greatly contributed to his success in his career, but even better Adam shares his process in this episode, […]
The post TECC 187: Goal Setting for Engineers Based on One Engineer’s Proven Process appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I will tell you a short story about a long drive that changed the way I think and had a major impact on our business here at the Engineering Management Institute. I hope that it helps you to cultivate an opportunistic mindset in your career and life overall. Engineering Quote: Here are […]
The post TECC 186: A Short Story About a Long Drive… appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, you are going to listen in on a conversation between me and Joshua Plenert, MBA, MS, PE a licensed professional engineer who’s an expert in applying Lean and Six-Sigma concepts to the architectural, engineering and construction industry. As a structural engineer practitioner himself, he’s not only theorizing about what he talks and writes about […]
The post TECC 185: Lean Six Sigma Concepts for Engineering Industries appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I am going to answer some questions from some of the engineers who participated in our Engineering Management Accelerator Online Workshop. We had so many great questions during this course related to professional development, job promotions, communication, leadership and more, that I decided to share the answers here so that engineers all […]
The post TECC 184: Career Questions Answered Through a Peek Inside the Engineering Management Accelerator appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, you’re going to listen in on a conversation between me and Fernando A. Ceballos, P.E. Fernando will share some strategies that he’s used to realize success in his career at such a young age. He will also talk about how being a member of our Engineering Management Institute has helped him in […]
The post TECC 183: Career Reflection: 5 Actions a Young Engineer Took to Realize Success appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Eric Wright, Ph.D., PMP, CPD about the benefits of earning the project management professional certification (PMP) for military members transitioning out of the service looking to become a project management leader. Eric gives some great tips on planning, leading, organizing, control, actions impact, and also explains the importance of soft skills and […]
The post TECC 182: Using Your Military Experience to Become a Project Management Leader appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I provide coaching and guidance to an engineer who is totally burnt out in his career. By the end of this episode, he is inspired and has a plan to change his career for the better. He then also adds a twist to this episode and starts asking me some career-related questions […]
The post TECC 181: One Engineer’s Plan for Recovering from Burnout appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Professor George Siedel, who is an expert on the topic of negotiation. Professor Siedel gives some great advice around negotiating for success based on his writing, books, research and experience. He takes a complex topic and provides some very practical strategies around it. Engineering Quotes: Here are some of […]
The post TECC 180: Negotiating for Success: Essential Strategies and Skills with George Siedel appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode I talk with Dana Caspersen, conflict specialist, speaker and author of the book: Changing the Conversation: the 17 Principles of Conflict Resolution. During the interview, Dana outlines very practical strategies that you can use when dealing with conflict. Engineering Quotes: Here are the 3 principles that Dana Caspersen discusses in regards to dealing with […]
The post TECC 179: Practical Strategies You Can Use for Productively Dealing with Conflict appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Daniel Priestley, co-founder of Dent and author of the book “Key Person of Influence. Daniel provides us with a 5-step formula that you can use to become a key person of influence in your industry. Engineering Quotes: Here are 5 ways that you can become a key person of […]
The post TECC 178: Becoming a Key Person of Influence as an Engineering Professional appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with two very successful women from The Mathews Group, Melissa Mathews and Tia Over. We talk about communication strategies that you can implement when a crisis arises whether it’s a project crisis, client crisis or career crisis. Engineering Quotes: Here are some of the key points discussed in this episode on what […]
The post TECC 177: What Every Engineer Needs to Know When a Crisis Arises appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Andrew Hoover of UW Continuum College about how to evaluate which professional certificates can boost your career. Andrew has a lot of experience in education, especially learning and gives some very insightful advice which can help you identify the credentials that can boost your engineering career. Engineering Quotes: Here are some […]
The post TECC 176: How to Evaluate Which Professional Certificates Can Boost Your Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Josh Elledge from UpMyInfluence about how to advance in your engineering career by growing your authority online. Josh gives some great tips on how you can build authority and use it to catapult your career forward. Engineering Quotes: Here are some of the key points discussed on growing your authority: […]
The post TECC 175: How to Advance in Your Engineering Career by Growing Your Authority Online appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Jen Bunk, architect of the People Stack® – the network of people, places and things that help tech managers build better teams. Jen provides strategies that tech managers can use for building effective teams. Jen also talks about how, in order to be an effective leader, you must commit […]
The post TECC 174: Strategies Tech Managers Can Use for Building Effective Teams appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Chris Goede from the John Maxwell Company about leadership. Chris explains the 5 Levels of Leadership model and gives some great strategies for becoming a very powerful engineering leader. Engineering Quotes: Here are some of the key points discussed on becoming a powerful engineering leader. John Maxwell states that leadership is influence, […]
The post TECC 173: Five Levels of Leadership to Help You Become a Powerful Engineering Leader appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Josh Haynam, co-founder of Interact, which is a quiz marketing tool used by more than 40,000 companies around the world. We talk about the benefits of building accountability into your engineering career. Josh gives an excellent analogy that he uses in terms of how a coach can help you to […]
The post TECC 172: The Benefits of Building Accountability into your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I answer some questions from our listeners and subscribers about building communication skills, improving public speaking, and strategies for overcoming being overqualified for a position you want. Engineering Quotes: Here is the summary of the questions and answers discussed on how to improve communication skills and deal with being labeled as overqualified: […]
The post TECC 171: How to Improve Communication Skills and Deal with Being Labeled as Overqualified appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to about the difference between big picture thinking versus a detailed orientated mindset and how to benefit from both in your engineering career. I will detail the benefits of each of these thinking patterns and provide strategies for utilizing both effectively as a technical professional. Engineering Quotes: Here are some […]
The post TECC 170: Big Picture Thinking Versus the Details in your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with David Kowal, founder, and president of Kowal Communications about improving one’s technical writing skills. David gives five very specific strategies that you can start using immediately to make you a more effective writer and overall communicator as a technical professional. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed on improving your […]
The post TECC 169: Strategies Engineers can Take to Immediately Improve their Technical Writing Skills appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Personal Accountability Starts with the Question Behind the Question In this episode, I talk with John G. Miller about Personal Accountability and his bestselling book entitled QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life. Miller has spent many years speaking to thousands of professionals on how they can become more accountable […]
The post TECC 168: Personal Accountability Starts with the Question Behind the Question appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Slide Rules: Design, Build, and Archive Presentations in the Engineering and Technical Fields In this episode, I talk with author Traci Nathans-Kelly who gives very specific strategies on how you can dramatically improve your technical presentations. The information discussed is from her book called Slide Rules: Design, Build, and Archive Presentations in the Engineering and […]
The post TECC 167: Slide Rules: Design, Build, and Archive Presentations in the Engineering and Technical Fields appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Learning to Lead through Leadership Flow In this episode, I talk with seasoned leadership expert, an author on General Leadership and an extremely accomplished leader and leadership coach, Croft Edwards about his new book called: LeadershipFlow | Perfectly Square; A Story About Learning to Lead and Transforming a Company. Our conversation focuses on how you can learn to […]
The post TECC 166: Learning to Lead through Leadership Flow appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Opportunities for Engineers and Technical Professionals in the Gig Economy In this episode, I talk with Diane Mulcahy, author of The Gig Economy about opportunities for engineers and technical professionals in the current and future economy. The Gig Economy is a shift in the economy from people working 9 to 5 jobs to people performing freelancing or […]
The post TECC 165: Opportunities for Engineers and Technical Professionals in the Gig Economy appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Sync to Swim: Project Leadership for Engineers and Project Management In this episode, I talk with Colonel Mickey Addison, USAF (ret), MSCE, PMP about a project leadership model known as Sync to Swim. As an Air Force officer, Mickey has handled national portfolios totaling billions of dollars, and he is passionate about leadership. We will […]
The post TECC 164: Sync to Swim: Project Leadership for Engineers and Project Managers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Getting Involved in Professional Associations In this episode, I talk with Cynthia D’Amour, MBA, President of People Power Unlimited, and author of The Lazy Leader’s Guide to Outrageous Results, about getting involved in professional associations as well as the importance of networking and building your confidence. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed on getting […]
The post TECC 163: Getting Involved in Professional Associations appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Making Engineering Mistakes and Learning from them In this episode, I talk Stuart G. Walesh, Ph.D., P.E., Dist.M.ASCE, D.WRE about making engineering mistakes and learning from them as an engineering professional. Actually, we talk about mistakes in general, but then discuss how the consequences of making engineering mistakes can be much larger than others, and […]
The post TECC 162: Making Engineering Mistakes and Learning from them. appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
The Power of Passion for your Profession In this episode, I talk with Jane Sidebottom who is the President/Owner of Applied Marketing Knowledge about the power of passion for your profession. We discuss a framework focused on 7 questions to help you find the work you are passionate about. The questions we discuss are from […]
The post TECC 161: The Power of Passion for your Profession appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I will be talking to you about the 80/20 principle and a book called 80/20 Sales and Marketing: The Definitive Guide to Working Less and Making More by Perry Marshall. I will discuss how you can leverage the 80/20 rule even further in your engineering career and life. Engineering Quotes: Here are the […]
The post TECC 160: 80/20 Sales and Marketing – Perry Marshall appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I am going to talk to you about the importance of confidence in communicating as a professional engineer. I will specifically be concentrating on three situations from three recent coaching interactions that I had with engineers. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed on the importance of confidence in communicating as […]
The post TECC 159: The Importance of Confidence in Communicating as a Professional Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Belinda Gates, ACC an executive coach, author, and speaker as part of what I have been calling our Game Changing Career Moves series about creating opportunities in your engineering career. We also talk about actions that you can take to have a profound impact on your career advancement. Engineering Quotes: Here […]
The post TECC 158: Creating Opportunities in your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I am going to talk about whether or not it really matters what path you are taking in your engineering career. I will focus on using the 80/20 rule, goal setting and a quote taken from Alice in Wonderland. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed about the path you take […]
The post TECC 157: Does it Matter which Path you take in your Engineering Career? appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Fernando Ceballos, a Civil Engineer, as part of our what I have been calling our Game Changing Career Moves series and we will be talking about taking ownership of your professional development through community involvement. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed on Professional Development: Work gives you opportunities, […]
The post TECC 156: Taking Ownership of your Professional Development through Community Involvement appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Allison Johanson, a licensed clinical social worker about strategies for taking control of your mindset even when your life is in upheaval. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points about taking control of your mindset: Make a list of the things that are distracting […]
The post TECC 155: Strategies for Taking Control of your Mindset appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Ian Balina, a serial entrepreneur and former freelancer about how he became a sales engineer and how you can brand yourself as an expert. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed on becoming a Sales Engineer: It’s important being able to take an idea and sell it. There’s really no cap […]
The post TECC 154: How to Become a Sales Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I interview successful experienced engineer Ken Macumber, as part of what I have been calling our Game Changing Career Moves series and we will be talking about the importance of selling as an engineer and the things he does in his career to remain successful. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed […]
The post TECC 153: The Importance of Selling as an Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I interview Jon Sharkey, a software engineer from Google about the engineering behind the Waze application. We also talk about how project teams work at Google, specifically what the workflow looks like, tips on project management and everyday communication tools John uses as well as tools used at Google. Tweetables: Here are the key […]
The post TECC 152: The Engineering behind Waze appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with Rebecca Geier, a marketing expert and author of the book: Smart Marketing for Engineers: An Inbound Marketing Guide to Reaching Technical Audiences and we talk specifically about how to market yourself to prospective engineering employers. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed on how to market yourself to prospective engineering […]
The post TECC 151: How to Market Yourself to Prospective Engineering Employers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
TECC 150: Identifying and Avoiding Stagnation in your Engineering Career In this episode, I talk to Josh Hein about identifying and avoiding stagnation in your engineering career. Josh tells us about the process he went through to move from a smaller engineering company to a bigger one. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed […]
The post TECC 150: Identifying and Avoiding Stagnation in your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk to Joe Cohan, a practicing civil engineer, and we discuss the importance of a big picture outlook in your engineering career as well as how to continuously improve yourself. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed on the importance of a big picture outlook in your engineering career. It’s […]
The post TECC 149: The Importance of a Big Picture Outlook in your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I interview Zorya Belanger, as part of our Game Changing Career Moves series, and we discuss the initiatives she took with respect to skill development and the massive effect this had on her engineering career and life. Engineering Quotes: Here are some of the key points that our guest made on how self-improvement can improve your […]
The post TECC 148: How Self-Improvement Radically Improved my Engineering Career and Life appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I am going to share with you the best thing I ever did to advance my career in hopes that it will drive massive growth in your engineering career. Usually when you look back on your career, you can see a few moves that made a huge impact on your success — I […]
The post TECC 147: The Best Thing I Ever Did to Advance my Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews Angie Morgan from Lead Star on how to spark leadership in your engineering career. Angie touches on the importance of credibility, character and service-based leadership and how you can use these to build a career of success as in engineering. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points on how to […]
The post TECC 146: How to Spark Leadership in your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews Nader Mowlaee on how to create a winning strategy to build a successful engineering career. They hit on why, and how, to establish your own personal brand and they also dive into core skills development and their importance to engineers, as well as the importance of building and cultivating a […]
The post TECC 145: How to Create a Winning Strategy for an Engineering Career of Success appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews Mike Legatt, CEO and founder of ResilientGrid Inc. on ensuring the resiliency of the power grid and critical infrastructure. This all came into being through one experience he had while doing laundry in 2003. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed: Every time that a human being makes a […]
The post TECC 144: Ensuring the Resiliency of the Power Grid and Critical Infrastructure appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Let’s take a walk together. In this episode, I am going to give you seven steps that you could use to get super focused on your career growth including where you want to go in your career. I will also explain to you how to track your progress in your engineering career. (The recording of […]
The post TECC 143: How to Set Goals and Track Progress in your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk with a listener whose question I previously answered in Episode 131. We talk about the factors that influenced his decision in choosing between a Fortune 50 Company and a Small Engineering Firm, and what he learned from the decision he made. Engineering Quotes: Here are the key points discussed in this […]
The post TECC 142: Choosing Between a Fortune 50 Company and a Small Engineering Firm appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to be talking to Aaron Khan, one of our listeners from Australia, about putting out fires and driving value as a professional engineer. Aaron asked some amazing questions that I believe hold many keys to engineering career success. Engineering Quotes: Here are the […]
The post TECC 141: Putting out Fires and Driving Value as a Professional Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I am going to talk to one of our listeners, Carl Humphrey, about challenges that he is facing around career planning and will give you some advice on how you can use your time wisely as an engineering professional. There were some very interesting strategies that we discussed in this episode that I believe […]
The post TECC 140: How to Use Your Time Wisely as an Engineering Professional appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I want to share a story with you about two shoe salesman and also talk about the importance of seeing opportunities in your Engineering Career…. Engineering Success quotes: Here are some ideas to implement that will help you in seeing opportunities in 2017: Think about your approach in your engineering career and your […]
The post TECC 139: The Importance of Seeing Opportunities in your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I am going to give you 10 actions that you can take to improve your collaboration efforts with your engineering team and also explain how this will benefit your career development. Engineering Quotes: Here are 10 steps to better collaboration in your engineering career. 1. Get to know your coworkers, colleagues and team members: When […]
The post TECC 138: 10 Things you Can Do to Collaborate Better With your Engineering Teams appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast I am going to answer questions from our listeners on how to make career changes or shifts in your engineering career. Engineering Quotes: Here are the summary of questions and answers about career changes that we’ve discussed in this session: Question: I would like to know […]
The post TECC 137: How to Make Career Changes in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I will give you 10 very specific things you can do to build your confidence as an engineering professional. Engineering Quotes: Here are 10 ways to build confidence as an engineering professional: 1. Get clear on your goals by reflecting and experimenting Think about everything you have done in your career to date. […]
The post TECC 136: How to Build Confidence as an Engineering Professional appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Click to listen for information on how to master your elevator speech.. In this episode, I am going to help you master your elevator speech. I will provide you with 7 specific steps that you can use to pitch the perfect speech. I have assembled these steps from different articles and resources online, all of […]
The post TECC 135: How to Master your Elevator Speech as an Engineering Professional appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to answer questions from our listeners about career challenges they are facing and choices that they have to make to succeed as an Engineer. Engineering Quotes: Here are the summary of questions and answers I discuss in this session: Question: I am volunteering at […]
The post TECC 134: Understanding what it takes to Succeed as an Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I discuss conflict resolution. I am going to specifically review 5 strategies that you can use in trying to resolve conflict, whether it be in your engineering job or life. The strategies that I am going to review are those of Thomas and Kilmann’s Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI). Engineering Success quotes: Here are the 5 […]
The post TECC 133: Five Strategies for Resolving Conflicts in your Engineering Career and Life appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE will answer some questions from listeners and give advice on why engineers should consider studying and learning about project management. He will also expand on why project management will be good for your engineering career, as well as your engineering organization. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points […]
The post TECC 132: Building Project Management into your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast I am going to answer questions on engineering career challenges and critical decisions that some of our listeners have to make. Engineering Quotes: Here are the summary of questions and answers discussed in this episode: Question: If an engineering job offer comes up and you have […]
The post TECC 131: Questions and Answers on Engineering Career Challenges and Critical Decisions appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I interview Christina Canters, a communication skills speaker, coach & trainer from the CMethod, on speaking with authority as an engineer. She provided some great tips on how you can improve your speaking skills as an engineer. Engineering Success quotes: Here are 7 tips from this episode on speaking with authority as an engineering […]
The post TECC 130: 7 Tips for Speaking with Authority as an Engineering Professional appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Anthony Fasano, PE interviews Shahzal, a structural engineer in training and listener of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, and helps him to discover his passion and offers guidance on which path to follow to pursue his passion. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points: You should focus on one of the […]
The post TECC 129: Planning to Practice your Passion as an Engineering Manager appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I interview and assist engineer Rener Frank on steps he can take to overcome a big challenge, in order for him to remain motivated in his career. We also discuss one HUGE challenge that he has already overcome. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points: When you start a project on […]
The post TECC 128: Overcoming a Big Challenge to Inspire Spanish Speaking Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast I am going to answer questions from our listeners asking for career advice. Engineering Quotes: Here are the summary of questions and answers we’ve discussed in this session: Question: Can you point me in a direction to learn more about small niche markets in the engineering profession? Answer: […]
The post TECC 127: Engineering Career Questions on Career Path, Credentials, and Stagnation Answered appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I give a listener Scott Tarcy career advice on how to grow his CAD design business including what strategy(ies) he should utilize. Engineering Career Success Quotes: Here are the key points from this episode on building a CAD business: To scale a business like this, consider coming up with a good pricing model with set […]
The post TECC 126: Career Advice on How to Grow My CAD Business appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Christian Knutson, PE interviews self-made millionaire Daniel Ally who discusses his concepts around success and what it takes to achieve success in life. We will also be talking about the books he is busy reading and how those books might change your life. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points from the […]
The post TECC 125: Be BIG, Serve People, and Achieve Your Engineering Success appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews Steve Armstrong, leadership coach and no stranger to leading during an emergency, or crisis situations, about the special attributes of leadership that must be called on when facing crisis situations. And we’ll be doing so based on his experiences with the McMurray wildfires that devastated the town at the […]
The post TECC 124: Delivering Leadership During A Crisis Situation appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to answer questions from our listeners asking for advice on how to transfer maximum value to their Engineering Firms. Engineering Quote to think about: Here are the summary of the questions and answers I discussed in this session: QUESTION: I want to get […]
The post TECC 123: Questions and Answers on How Engineers Can Transfer Maximum Value to their Engineering Firms appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, you’ll hear part 2 of the Sales and Business Development for Engineers panel from our may 2016 Engineering Career Summit in New Orleans, click here for part 1. The panel includes Carl Herrick, Perryn Olson, Jim Rogers and Kristi Hoke. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points from the Sales and Business […]
The post TECC 122: Sales and Business Development for Engineers: Advice from a Panel of Experts Part 2 of 2 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Anthony Fasano, PE talks about Business Development and sales, which consists of two episodes. We are going to listen to a panel which includes Carl Herrick, Perryn Olson, Jim Rogers and Kristi Hoke. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points: Keep each of your engineering division’s own numbers and monitor their […]
The post TECC 121: Sales and Business Development for Engineers: Advice from a Panel of Experts Part 1 of 2 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I interview Lieutenant Colonel Lagerquist, a career civil engineer officer on the topic of obtaining your professional engineering (PE) license by using a 10 step plan. Engineering Success quotes: The 10 key steps to obtaining your professional engineering license: Step 1 – Make up Your Mind The first and foremost step is to […]
The post TECC 120: A 10 Step Plan for Obtaining Your Professional Engineering License appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I talk about Lu Ding, PE, PTOE, an Engineer who overcame her fear of public speaking in one year. I specifically discuss her ECSx talk at the Engineering Career Summit in New Orleans this past May. You will also here Lu’s talk in this episode and you can watch it at the bottom of this post. Engineering […]
The post TECC 119: An Engineer Overcomes her Fear of Public Speaking in One Year appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Anthony Knutson, PE interviews Carl Friesen, a professional who likes helping engineering professionals and firms build their profile as thought-leaders. Friesen talks specifically about how to build your expertise and thought leadership through public speaking. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points: Public speaking is important as it gives you a chance […]
The post TECC 118: How Engineers and Engineering Firms can Build Thought Leadership through Public Speaking appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I will give you some of the key takeaways from our recent Engineering Career Summit which was held in Louisiana. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the Key Takeaways of some of the sessions and panels we had: Building Your Engineering Career Flywheel by Will Schnier, PE Will Schnier is the Chief Executive Officer of BIG […]
The post TECC 117: The 2016 Engineering Career Summit Summary Episode appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, Chris Knutson and I are going to answer questions from our listeners asking for engineering career advice. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the summary of the questions and answers we’ve discussed in this session: Question: How do I decide if it’s time to move on to […]
The post TECC 116: TECC Listener Questions Answered appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I interview Josh Doody, a Computer & Electrical Engineer, MBA, author, and consultant, on the very popular topic of salary negotiation. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points on negotiation: Before you can negotiate a salary, you need to get a job offer. When you are approaching an interview, it is important to […]
The post TECC 115: Salary Negotiation for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews Brian Howe, a former US Air Force captain who now consults and recruits transitioning military engineers for a nationally recognized recruiting agency. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points: Some of the fears when transitioning from active duty to the engineering private sector includes fear of not […]
The post TECC 114: Challenges and Opportunities for Transitioning Military Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I give you five things I learned about effective presentations from my Engineering TEDx Talk. Click above to watch my TEDx talk and click below to listen to this podcast episode. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points: Short is good Short and powerful messages are easy for remember to and act […]
The post TECC 113: 5 Things I Learned about Effective Presentations from my Engineering TEDx Talk appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I interview Tim Austin, P.E., F.NSPE., current President of the National Society of Professional Engineers about engineering career building as well as some of the biggest challenges the engineering profession is facing today and what NSPE is doing to help Engineers overcome those challenges. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points: NSPE […]
The post TECC 112: Engineering Career Advice from the National Society of Professional Engineers President Tim Austin, PE appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews Croft Edwards, author on GeneralLeadership.com and an extremely accomplished leader and leadership coach on how to generate flow through leadership. Engineering Success quote: Here are the key points from the episode: Leadership is the authority granted to an individual by their followers. Management is the authority granted to […]
The post TECC 111: Engineering Your Leadership to Generate Flow appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I interview David Hubbard, PEng, who started his career as an electrical engineer in the power industry but is now a Revenue Growth Expert and the person behind the Marketing Outfield on how engineers can build the skills to effectively sell and market to their clients. Even if small talk and cold calls […]
The post TECC 110: How Engineers Can Effectively Sell and Market to Their Clients appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
This podcast is the fifth of six special Q&A episodes which airs every first Friday of the month in addition to our regular episodes through May 2016. In this episodes, I answer more community questions from our listeners asking for engineering career advice. Here are the summary of the questions and answers I’ve discussed in this session: Question: […]
The post TECC 109: Q&A How Valuable is Providing Value as an Engineer? – Show 5 of 6 WPI appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I interview Danny Rubin who is a communications expert and author of the new book Wait, How Do I Write This Email? about the importance of strong writing, networking and interpersonal skills. Engineering Success quote: Here are the key points on the importance of strong writing, networking and interpersonal skills: How to write […]
The post TECC 108: The Importance of Strong Writing, Networking and Interpersonal Skills in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews Barbara Pachter who’s been featured on CNN, NBC, ABC as a recognized expert when it comes to business etiquette and the impact it can have on your success and your engineering firm. Engineering Success quotes: Some of the key points from this episode include: Etiquette is important because how […]
The post TECC107: How to Increase Your Etiquette Skills to Boost Your Engineering Career and Business appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews organizational culture expert and success coach Carol Ring on how company culture drives employee engagement and business. Carol also gives us a better perspective on how engineer leaders or members of project teams can help shape the culture of their engineering firms and improve results overall. Engineering Success quotes: […]
The post TECC 106: Building Culture Into Your Engineering Firm Versus Bolting It On appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, my co-host Chris Knutson, PE leads one of the panels from our past Engineering Career Summit on project management and communication and how you can be a successful communicator with your engineering project team. Here are the key points: How is communications important in project management? Setting the right expectations for the project […]
The post TECC 105: How to Be a Successful Communicator from Successful Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
This podcast is the fourth of six special Q&A Series which airs every first Friday of the month in addition to our regular episodes through May 2016. My co-host Chris Knutson, PE and I answer more questions from our listeners asking for engineering career advice. Here are the summary of the questions and answers we’ve […]
The post TECC 104: Engineering Career Questions and Answers on Career Path, Maintaining Focus, and International Work – Special Q&A Series from Engineering Management Institute and the WPI MBA Program 4 of 6 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews an entrepreneurial educator and success coach Debbie Ruston about identifying, developing, and integrating entrepreneurial skills into one’s engineering career. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points from this episode: Think past the natural skills that you have and start to develop other skills that can support you in furthering […]
The post TECC 103: How to Build Entrepreneurial Skills for Engineering Career and Business Success appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews Joan Graci, a career strategist, success coach, and business growth expert, and they discuss the importance of knowing what you want from a company you might work for and viewing that relationship from the perspective of an entrepreneur. They also dive into the importance of engineering firms strategic plans spelling […]
The post TECC 102: How an Entrepreneurial Mindset Shift Will Bring You Engineering Career Success appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews leadership expert Steve Armstrong on leadership and how to develop your leadership skills in your engineering firm. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points around building a strong leadership culture in your engineering firm: Everybody in your engineering firm has a story. Listen to their stories and […]
The post TECC 101: How to Use Leadership in Your Engineering Firm to Attain High Performance appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In our 100th episode, we share with you a response from Executive Director Joe Schroedel about credentials and certifications during the Society of American Military Engineer’s Student Leader Workshop in North Carolina. Engineering Success quotes: Here are the key points: A person who produces results and who knows what he’s doing is more valuable in […]
The post TECC 100: Engineering Career and Life Lessons to Live By appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
This podcast is the third of six special Q&A Series which air every first Friday of the month in addition to our regular episodes through May 2016. I answer more questions from our listeners asking for career advice. Here is the summary of the questions and answers I’ve discussed in this session: Questions: How can I rise quickly to the top and how can I distinguish myself? What milestones must I achieve? […]
The post TECC 99: Engineering Degree and Credential Questions – Special Q&A Series from Engineering Management Institute and the WPI MBA Program 3 of 6 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson interviews Dave Willenberg who talks about how to enhance both written and spoken technical communication, and shares how he transitioned from engineer to entrepreneur by recognizing and acting on opportunities. Here are some of the questions Chris asks: How did you go from Detroit to Hamburg? What was the greatest challenge in […]
The post TECC 98: Building Crystal Clarity in Your Technical English for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In today’s episode, HR expert Amanda King gives you four steps to being a rock star engineering job candidate. Here are some key points: Step 1 | Who you are – Identify your values and your priorities Make a decision about targeting what engineering companies you want to work for as opposed to what jobs […]
The post TECC 97: 4 Steps to Being a Rock Star Engineering Job Candidate with HR Expert Amanda King appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In today’s episode, Joe Lampinen of Kelly Services talks about the trends in the industry and what employers are looking for in the engineering industry in the way of engineering skills and certifications. Here are some key points: Trends in hiring: Hollywood model/talent supply chain management – hiring just for the life of the project […]
The post TECC 96: A Discussion on What Engineering Skills and Certifications Are In Demand appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In today’s episode, Paul Gibbons, an expert in change management, talks about how you can implement change leadership in the engineering organization you work for today or the engineering project you’re currently leading. Here are some key points: Reasons and expertise do not by themselves add up to a successful change. Paul gives the example […]
The post TECC 95: The Science of Successful Organizational Change For Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
This podcast is the second of six special Q&A Series which airs every first Friday of the month in addition to our regular episodes through May 2016. I answer more questions from our listeners asking for career advice. Here is the summary of the questions and answers I’ve discussed in this session: Question: How are […]
The post TECC 94: Certification Questions – Special Q&A Series from Engineering Management Institute and the WPI MBA Program 2 of 6 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In today’s episode, Taylor Pearson, the author of the bestselling book The End of Jobs, talks about entrepreneurship and why the typical 9 to 5 jobs aren’t necessarily “stable” anymore for engineers. Here are some key points from this episode: #1 – The social & technological advancements of the past 100 years have brought us […]
The post TECC 93: Why Engineers Need Entrepreneurship with Bestselling Author Taylor Pearson appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In today’s episode, author Dr. Paul Cantonwine talks about The Never-Ending Challenge of Engineering: Admiral H.G. Rickover in His Own Words, which is a practical and philosophical look at the principles used by engineers and leaders from the perspective of Admiral Hyman George Rickover – one of America’s greatest engineers. Why Admiral H.G. Rickover is […]
The post TECC 92: The Never-Ending Challenge of Engineering: Admiral H.G. Rickover in His Own Words appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, I am going to review 4 energy blocks, some of which are most likely standing between you and success. Key points: G – Gremlins – the part of you that makes you feel less than who you really are, and shows up as the “I’m not good enough” voice. How to overcome […]
The post TECC 91: GAIL: Overcoming Energy Blocks in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Chris Knutson and I dive into long-term goal setting or vector setting for engineers and give you some actionable steps on how to do it. Key points: The best way to shape the future of your engineering career is to design it. Here is a summary of this episode which can help you to […]
The post TECC 90: Vision Setting and Blueprinting for Long-Range Vector Setting for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
This podcast episode is the first of a special six episode Q&A Series which airs every first Friday of the month starting December 2015. My guest co-host, Pat Sweet and I answer questions from our listeners asking for engineering career advice. This Q & A Series is brought to you by WPI’s Foisie School of […]
The post TECC 89: Special Q&A Series from Engineering Management Institute and the WPI MBA Program 1 of 6 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Calvin Guyer (@CalGuyer60) shares an equation for engineers, that help minimize distraction and achieve high performance and increase our potential. Key points: Performance = Potential – Interference (gives example of Steve Jobs) Once we as engineers learn to deal with or remove the interferences we can not only increase our performance, but we can then […]
The post TECC 88: The Peak Performance Equation for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode, Dorie Clark (@dorieclark), marketing strategy consultant, professional speaker, and frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review shares some strategies on how you can reinvent yourself by rebranding, and her thoughts on having mentors for mid to senior engineers and mastermind groups as part of your reinvention journey. Key points in this episode […]
The post TECC 87: Reinventing Yourself So You Can Stand Out in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview two engineering executives from Big Red Dog engineering – Will Schnier, PE and Russell Yeager, PE – and we talk about the concept of a flywheel, and how these guys have used this concept to build a leading engineering company. “Your work is to keep […]
The post TECC 86: Building Your Engineering Career Flywheel with the Two Engineering Executives appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, Chris Knutson interviews John Tarnoff, a coach that works with baby boomer generation professionals in career transitions and career resiliency. Both skills that effective engineers wield and both skills that each of us must build to create a fulfilling engineering career. “A chasm cannot be crossed […]
The post TECC 85: How to Work With Baby Boomers and Leverage the Power of Long-Range Engineering Career Planning appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, Chris Knutson interviews Paul Rulkens and talk about the razor’s edge, some strategies on continuous improvement, and the power of knowledge that comes from reading books. Paul explains why any of us would want to be pre-eminent (hint: it accelerates your engineering career or business). And […]
The post TECC 84: Leading An Engineering Career on the Razor’s Edge appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Rashid Kapadia who is an author of book entitled Necessary Bridges, and he talks about how engineers can improve their public speaking skills and get into the flow or put themselves in an atmosphere to succeed. “May what I do flow from me like a […]
The post TECC 83: Improving Your Public Speaking and Getting into the Flow as an Engineer with Author Rashid Kapadia appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, Chris Knutson interviews retired major general Paul McGillicuddy on leadership. They dig deep into leadership traits, where to find leadership training, how to deal with a difficult boss, and many more straight from Paul who has an amazing role of leadership in his entire career. Leadership is […]
The post TECC 82: Designing Your Leadership Style for An Effective Engineering Career – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Jonathan Voelkel who details questions you must ask yourself if you want to become a partner in engineering firm. “Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” – Bill Bradley Jonathan Voelkel joined Rusk O’Brien Gido (ROG) in 2011. With over ten years […]
The post TECC 81: Questions You Must Ask if You Want to Become a Partner in Engineering Firm – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, Chris Knutson interviews Susan RoAne who is a world-class teacher, speaker and author on the topic of relationship development and networking. Her books How to Work A Room and Face to Face: How to Reclaim the Personal Touch in a Digital World are great in providing […]
The post TECC 80: How To Work a Room And In Your Engineering Project Team – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, Chris Knutson and I are going to answer more questions from our listeners asking for career advice. “If you want to be successful in a particular field of endeavor, I think perseverance is one of the key qualities. It’s very important that you find something that […]
The post TECC 79: TECC Community Questions Answered – Part 3 – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, Chris Knutson, PE interviews Marc Hurwitz on the topic of followership, what it is, the 5 key skills of followership, and why it’s so important to be as a strong a follower as a leader to build and sustain a successful engineering career. “It’s not your […]
The post TECC 78: Leadership is Half the Story: How Followership is Critical to A Successful Engineering Career – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I will provide coaching to an engineer who is not happy with the rate that he is advancing in his company. “I hate to be a kicker, I always long for peace, but the wheel that does the squeaking is the one that gets the grease.” – Attributed […]
The post TECC 77: A Conversation with an Engineer on How to Press His Company on Advancement – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, Chris Knutson and I are going to answer questions from our listeners asking for career advice. “Ideally, since 80 percent of your life is spent working, you should start your business around something that is a passion of yours. If you’re into kite surfing and you […]
The post TECC 76: TECC Community Questions Answered – Part 2 – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, we will focus on the job search process and will interview a member of the Engineering Career Community who is in the process of searching for an engineering job because he has hit a ceiling in his current position. “Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” – Chris Grosser […]
The post TECC 75: A Discussion With An Engineer Trying To Make A Career Move – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, Chris Knutson interviews Bruce Harpham and discusses career planning, increasing your ability to generate more income, and lifelong learning and certifications. “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning In the Take Action Today segment of the show, Bruce gives some advice on how […]
The post TECC 74: Four Key Insights To Earning $100,000 Per Year in Your Engineering Career – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to share with you my experiences on real estate investing along with my guest Vittorio Anepete, who is an engineer and a member of our Engineering Career Community. “Now, one thing I tell everyone is learn about real estate. Repeat after me: real […]
The post TECC 73: Real Estate Investing 101 for Engineers – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Hal Elrod who absolutely changed my life earlier this year with his book The Miracle Morning The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM). “Let today be the day you give up who you’ve been for who you can become.” – Hal Elrod […]
The post TECC 72: How to Drastically Improve Your Engineering Career and Life in One Hour Per Day with Hal Elrod – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to interview Thomas Miller from WTF Professor, who will give us some strategies on how to re-engineer the learning process for engineers. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Ghandi In the Take […]
The post TECC 71: Re-Engineering the Learning Process – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going talk about leadership and how you can improve your leadership skills as an engineer regardless of your current position or experience level. This episode is the seventh part in the seven part series where I covered the 7 key elements to creating an […]
The post TECC 70: Developing the Engineering Leader Inside of You – EYOS 7 of 7 – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, my partner Chris interviews Mike Giorgione, the founder of Leading Leaders on impact leadership. They talk about how you can take positive action, how you can provide value and positive influences, and remain relevant in your engineering career, and how to connect as an engineer leader without having […]
The post TECC 69: How to Deliver Impact Leadership in Your Engineering Career – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to answer questions from our listeners asking for career advice and help with their resume and job search. “Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.”–Katherine Whitehorn In the Take Action Today segment of the […]
The post TECC 68: Listener Questions Answered – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, Christian Knutson will explain the benefits of mindfulness meditation and how you can apply them in your life. “When we speak of meditation, it is important for you to know that this is not some weird cryptic activity, as our popular culture might have it. It […]
The post TECC 67: Mindfulness Meditation for Engineers: How to Meditate As An Engineer Without Moving To The Himalayas – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, my partner Chris Knutson interviews author James Lehman who gives some good strategies and advice on career transition. “Switching from one career to another can be scary, but it also can be a thrilling experience. Look at it as an opportunity to really go after what you want […]
The post TECC 66: Maneuvering Your Engineering Career Through Planned and Unplanned Transitions – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to discuss personal finance, specifically the key lessons I learned from the book Rich Dad/Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. “Intelligence solves problems & produces money. Money without financial intelligence is money soon gone.” ― Robert T. Kiyosaki In the Take Action Today segment of the show, I […]
The post TECC 65: Personal Finance for Engineers – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to take you inside the Engineering Career Summit which is the event that Chris and I threw in Washington DC in early May and will be throwing again in May 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. I am going to play for you an audio […]
The post TECC 64: Engineering Leadership with Pat Sweet – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
This episode of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast focuses on communication skills for engineers. I interview Skip Weisman who is an internationally recognized expert in workplace communication skills for engineers and discuss workplace communication, one of the skills that is critical to building your engineering career. “The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines […]
The post TECC 63: Communication Skills for Engineers – The Seven Deadly Sins and How to Overcome Them – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I give you some strategies on productivity and work-life balance. This episode is the sixth part in the seven part series of my recently released updated and expanded edition of my book, Engineer Your Own Success. “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right […]
The post TECC 62: Creating a Focused, Productive and Stress-Free Engineering Career and Life – EYOS 6 of 7 – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Melinda Tourangeau whom I met at the Engineering Career Success Summit in D.C. where she was an attendee and a very active one. She will share some characteristics about technical leadership based on her PhD research. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve […]
The post TECC 61: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – The Research Behind Engineering Leaders with Melinda Tourangeau appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, my co-host Chris Knutson and I are break down the lessons we have learned from our recent event, the Engineering Career Success Summit (ECSS). We also interviewed Skye Coleman to give you an attendee’s perspective and his key take-aways from the event. “All the time and effort put into […]
The post TECC 60: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Engineering Career Success Summit 2015 Breakdown of Lessons Learned appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, my co-host Chris Knutson and I are going to talk about the importance of morning and evening rituals and even give you some insights to our own rituals, some of which are life changing. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, […]
The post TECC 59: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How Morning and Evening Rituals can Impact Your Engineering Career and Life appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, my co-host Chris Knutson and I are going to discuss two different approaches to work as an engineer, the firefighter approach and the samurai approach. The basic difference being a reactive or proactive approach in the way you work. “Productivity is never an accident. It is always […]
The post TECC 58: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Samurai or Firefighter – What Kind of Engineer Are You? appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview a dynamic speaker who has lectured at Harvard Medical School, the New York Academy of Sciences, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She has performed an extremely TED talk, “Talk Nerdy to Me,” which has been watched by more than one million people (and counting). […]
The post TECC 57: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Five Tips for Drastically Improving Your Engineering Presentations with Melissa Marshall appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to share with you some of the career related challenges that I will be facing in the next few months which I hope may inspire you as you face your own challenges. “He focuses not just on the goal to be reached, but on […]
The post TECC 56: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – My Five Biggest Career Challenges appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I provide seven strategies that can help you become a better networker, if you apply them. This episode is the fifth part in the seven part series of the recently released updated and expanded edition of my Engineer Your Own Success book. “The successful networkers I know, […]
The post TECC 55 : The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Seven Strategies for Networking and Building Relationships as an Engineer – EYOS Part 5 of 7 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Geoffrey Tumlin, CEO of Mouthpiece Consulting and Author of Stop Talking , Start Communicating who balances research, experience, and humor to draw attention to the increasingly troublesome disconnect between our higher-order communication needs and our lower-order communication practices, while pointing a straightforward and compelling path to more […]
The post TECC 54 : The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Stop Talking and Start Communicating as an Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Sylvia Montgomery, partner at the professional service branding and marketing firm, Hinge Marketing. Sylvia shares the definition, power and the purpose of becoming a visible expert. “Never become so much of an expert that you stop gaining expertise. View life as a continuous learning […]
The post TECC 53: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – The Importance of Becoming a Visible Expert as an Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview a top engineering recruiter Paul Heidhues about the job search process. “Information is not knowledge.” – Albert Einstein In the Take Action Today segment of the show, Paul will give you some tips that you can use to prepare an awesome resume and improve […]
The post TECC 52: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – What You Need to Know About the Job Search Process as an Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Sanjay Gupta, a power networker who has over 40,000 connections on LinkedIn. He created and manages the LinkedIn Construction Group called Linking Construction with over 138,000 members but still remains extremely responsive to people. In this episode, he discusses his approach to networking, both online […]
The post TECC 51: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Global Networking From LinkedIn and Beyond appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, my good friend Christian Knutson, PE, PMP, ENV SP, is going to interview me about the lessons that I’ve learned over the first fifty episodes of the podcast. Chris Knutson has over two decades as a civil engineer field grade officer in the United States Air […]
The post TECC 50: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Lessons I’ve Learned in the First Fifty Episodes appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I will discuss nine strategies to help you become an effective communicator. Clear and effective communication is critical in our engineering careers, especially when we work in teams, with clients and other people who are not technically savvy. This episode is the fourth part in the […]
The post TECC 49: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Nine Tips to Become an Effective Communicator – EYOS Part 4 of 7 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview a rocket scientist, Brett Hoffstadt who provides five strategies for building an innovative engineering career, which is one where you continuously implement innovative ideas and actions in your career. “Think safe to fail not fail-safe.” – Brett Hoffstadt In the Take Action Today segment at the […]
The post TECC 48: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Five Strategies to an Innovative Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
My guest for this episode of TheThe Engineering Career Coach Podcast is Bailey Harrington, a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Texas with a record of success as a young engineer, project manager, and leader of engineering projects in the Austin area, as well as five years of military engineering experience both in central […]
The post TECC 47: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Five Keys to Success from a 29-Year Old Engineering Project Manager appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Dr. Zach Schaefer on the topic of conflict, which most of us struggle with. “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi Dr. Zach Schaefer (Dr. Z), the Founder and President of Spark The Discussion (sparkthediscussion.com), is […]
The post TECC 46: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Five Steps to Managing Conflict in Your Engineering Career and Personal Life appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to give you strategies for finding the right mentor in your engineering career and/or becoming one. This episode is the third of a seven-part Engineer Your Own Success series podcast where I am detailing the 7 key elements from my book Engineer Your […]
The post TECC 045: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How to Find or Become a Mentor in Your Engineering Career – EYOS Part 3 of 7 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I will give you some strategies that will help you identify which content to consume in your engineering career. In our Take Action Today segment at the end of the show, I will give you a tip on how to be more aware of the content […]
The post TECC 44: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – The Dos and Don’ts of Content Consumption in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I talk about why credentials are so important in your engineering career and give you some tips on how you can obtain the right ones. I will also share with you my public pledge on one of my 2015 goals at the end of the podcast. […]
The post TECC 43: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Three Reasons Why Credentials are Important and Three Strategies on How to Get Them – EYOS Part 2 of 7 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I give you the one key that you must know in order to control your own destiny in your life. “Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it.” – Pablilius Syrus In our Take Action Today segment at the end of the show, I […]
The post TECC 42: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – The Key to Controlling Your Destiny in Your Life and Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I provide seven steps that you can use to set powerful personal and professional goals or revisit existing goals for the upcoming year. This episode is the first in a series of seven where I am going to walk through the seven key elements to creating […]
The post TECC 41: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – 7 Steps to Engineering Powerful Personal and Professional Goals – EYOS Part 1 of 7 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I help a young electrical engineer develop a plan for shifting his career from a domestic position to an international engineering career. Fadi is a 28 year-old electrical engineer from New York City. He is originally from Iraq and received a scholarship for a Master’s degree […]
The post TECC 40: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Strategies for Shifting Your Engineering Career from Domestic to International appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Sam Lytle who is an engineer turned entrepreneur. Lytle discusses the benefits of how being an entrepreneur can help you as an engineer, whether you’re a business owner or a recent graduate. The Take Action Today segment of this episode provides tools that you can […]
The post TECC 39: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How Being an Entrepreneur can Help you in your Engineering Career with Sam Lytle, PE of CivilFX appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I will finish my interview with historian Clifford Zink who wrote The Roebling Legacy and bring you 10 more characteristics that made John Roebling a great engineer. In this second half of the interview, Clifford discussed Roebling’s projects and proposals and how he exhibited these characteristics […]
The post TECC 38: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – 18 Characteristics that made John Roebling one of the Greatest Engineers of All Time – Part 2 of 2 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I visit the Roebling Museum and interview a historian who has written a book about John A. Roebling, one of the greatest engineers of all time to find out what made him great. This is the first half of the interview, which includes 8 of the […]
The post TECC 37: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – 18 Characteristics that made John Roebling one of the Greatest Engineers of All Time – Part 1 of 2 appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Sandra Abdalian of YourCareerEngineer.com. Sandra discusses the three pillars that you can use to create the engineering career and life you’ve always wanted. “You are essentially who you create yourself to be and all that occurs in your life is a result of your own […]
The post TECC 36: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Three Pillars That Will Help You Live the Engineering Career and Life You Love appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview a chemical engineering student who raised over $88,000 to take her dream of empowering young women and make it a reality. “An idea can only become a reality once it is broken down into organized, actionable elements.” “Most ideas are born and lost in […]
The post TECC 035: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – 4 Steps for Taking Your Idea and Making It a Reality in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Matt Tenney and learn how he has used his five and a half years in a military prison to transform his life and career to where he is today. The Take Action Today segment of the show will give you a simple tip on […]
The post TECC 34: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How a 5.5 Year Prison Sentence Inspired Author Matt Tenney to Become a Servant Leader appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to help a younger engineer in Florida take her biggest challenge as a military spouse and leverage it into something positive. “Everything negative – pressure, challenges – are all opportunities for me to rise.” – Kobe Bryant The Take Action Today segment of […]
The post TECC 33: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How To Turn Your Biggest Challenge in Your Engineering Career into Your Biggest Opportunity appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to challenge you to work only four hours per day for one week. “Success is actually a short race, a sprint fueled by discipline just long enough for habit to kick in and take over.” “It is not that we have too little […]
The post TECC 32: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – A Challenge to Work Four Hours a Day in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I discuss work-life balance, a topic that I am very passionate about. My guest is Julie Cohen, author of Your Work, Your Life …Your Way and an expert on this topic. “Thinking about work as a day job has made a big difference in the way […]
The post TECC 31: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Seven Keys to Developing Work-Life Balance in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to provide you with specific steps for building your willpower and creating positive habits with my guest Leo Gura, who is a personal development expert and has over 200 videos on YouTube. “When you control your thoughts, you control your mind. When you […]
The post TECC 30: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How to Build Willpower and Create Positive Habits that Move You Closer to Your Engineering Goals with Leo Gura appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this bonus session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to summarize the panel sessions on communication and networking from our recent Institute for Engineering Career Development meetup in San Diego. The Take Action Today segment of the show will give you a strategy to drastically improve your relationships – immediately. “What […]
The post TECC 29: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – IECD 2014 Fall Meetup – What Our Panelists Taught us on Communication and Networking appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this episode of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, my guest, Pat Sweet, is going to give out some amazing strategies with nine specific points on writing proper and meaningful e-mails. The Take Action Today segment of the show will show you how to get your message across in a way that’s easy for people […]
The post TECC 28: Nine Steps to Writing Proper and Meaningful E-mails for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to give you six action items you can use to differentiate yourself in the industry. Please note, most of these actions are the opposite of what most people will tell you to do. “The job is what you do when you are told […]
The post TECC 27: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Six Action Items for Differentiating Yourself as an Engineer by Doing Things that You Are Not Always Supposed to Do appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I provide the five-step process that I have utilized to overcome my addiction to e-mail in hopes that you can do the same. E-mail is a valuable method of communication, but it is also dangerous; it can seriously hamper our productivity, especially if we live in […]
The post TECC 026: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – A Five-Step Process for Overcoming Your Addiction to E-mail appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I give a young engineer some guidance on concerns she has, including lack of engineering-design experience and which master’s degree is best to pursue. While much of my content on this site focuses on the development of core or nontechnical skills, getting the proper technical and engineering-design […]
The post TECC 025: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – What to Do if You Are Not Getting the Engineering-Design Experience You Need appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I answer 10 more questions related to career and personal development, submitted by The Engineering Career Coach Podcast listeners. If you missed Session 23, click here to listen to the first 10 questions I answered. “Visualize this thing that you want, see it, feel it, believe […]
The post TECC 024: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – 10 More Answers for 10 More Questions from 10 More Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I answer 10 questions related to career and personal development, submitted by The Engineering Career Coach Podcast listeners. In fact, I received so many questions that this will be the first of two shows in this format. “Asking the right questions takes as much skill as […]
The post TECC 023: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – 10 Answers for 10 Questions from 10 Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Stephanie Cook, an environmental engineer who now helps professionals avoid burnout in their careers by improving their diet and exercise habits. Stephanie discusses five signs that you’re headed for trouble and gives eight strategies for avoiding burnout or getting back on track if you’ve […]
The post TECC 022: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How to Identify Burnout in Your Engineering Career Before It Happens and What to Do to Get Back on Track appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Christina Canters, an architect from Australia who now helps technical professionals improve their communication and presentation skills. Christina touches on many points that will help listeners become more creative and confident in their communication efforts. “Public speaking is like riding a bike. People need […]
The post TECC 021: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How to Be a Creative Communicator with Christina Canters appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Matt Mangano, an EIT originally from New Jersey who recently relocated to San Diego. Matt reviews seven lessons that he has learned from starting a small engineering consulting company as an EIT. Most engineers are terrified of going out on their own, and for […]
The post TECC 020: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Seven Lessons Learned from Starting an Engineering Company as an EIT appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Stu Walesh, PE, an independent consultant who provides management, engineering, and education/training services to private, public, academic, and volunteer organizations. Our discussion is focused on how engineers can utilize the right sides of their brains to become better rounded. The content comes from a […]
The post TECC 019: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How to Work Smarter as an Engineer by Utilizing Both Sides of Your Brain appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I help a young engineer create a plan to transition from one engineering discipline to another. It is normal for engineers, at some point in their careers, to want to try something different. This usually requires transitioning from one discipline to another, such as from water […]
The post TECC 018: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How to Change Your Engineering Career Path from One Discipline to Another appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I speak with Barry Cordero, national president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). SHPE is the premier national organization aimed at increasing the number of Hispanics contributing to the nation’s innovation-and-technology future. As the national president of SHPE, Cordero focuses on SHPE programs and […]
The post TECC 017: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – 3 Major Benefits of Professional Associations and How to Realize Them, with SHPE National President Barry Cordero appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I speak with Christian Knutson, PE, author of The Engineer Leader blog. Knutson has over twenty years’ experience in leadership. He learned, and earned, his expertise in one of the most demanding professional arenas available: the U.S. military. During a career in the U.S. Air Force […]
The post TECC 016: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Nine Points to Help Prepare for and Get the Most out of Engineering Conferences, with Christian Knutson, the Engineer Leader appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Dr. Leidy Klotz, associate professor at the Glen Department of Civil Engineering at Clemson University. Dr. Klotz explains his journey from engineering student to professional soccer player to professor. The career-changing tip at the end of the show will provide you with a resource […]
The post TECC 015: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How to Break into the Field of Sustainability with Professional Soccer Player Turned Professor Leidy Klotz appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I interview Randal (Randy) Over, PE, FASCE—national president of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Randy shares some key pieces of career advice and also some recommendations for achieving work-life balance and achieving full engagement in your career. The career-changing tip at the end of […]
The post TECC 014: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Three Key Pieces of Engineering Career Advice from Randy Over – ASCE National President appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to help a young structural engineer overcome a serious challenge he faces. He has been leaving some important technical details off of his design plans, which is extremely dangerous and can affect not only his career development but also the safety of the […]
The post TECC 013: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – How to Improve the Quality of Your Engineering Design Work and Boost Your Confidence appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to provide five very specific steps for becoming the best engineer in your field. I get this question every day in many different forms from engineers. Having a recipe for how to excel in your specific discipline is invaluable, and that’s what I […]
The post TECC 012: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Five Steps for Becoming the Best Engineer in Your Field appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to provide some tips to an engineer on how to decide whether to stay on the technical track in his career or to make a move toward management when the time is right. Even though he is early in his career, he is […]
The post TECC 011: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Deciding on the Technical or Managerial Career Path as an Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to provide some tips to an engineer on how to ace the engineering job interview. These are tips I have helped engineers of all experience levels use to land great jobs. “I am so nervous; I have always been nervous since I was […]
The post TECC 010: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Acing the Engineering Job Interview appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Annual Review for Engineers… In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to cover the oh so important annual review for engineers and provide some coaching and guidance on how to prepare for and approach your annual performance review. In the last few weeks I have received so many questions about […]
The post TECC 009: How to Not Mess Up Your Annual Review for Engineers appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to provide some coaching and guidance to an engineer who has a goal of escaping the cubicle lifestyle and building more freedom and flexibility into his career and lifestyle. It is a myth throughout the engineering industry that you must spend the first […]
The post TECC 008: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Escaping the Cubicle Lifestyle as an Engineer appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to provide an engineer who has a goal of becoming a partner, with some strategies he can use to overcome some challenges he is facing. His challenges include some of the typical daily struggles that all engineers face, trying to be productive yet […]
The post TECC 007: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – The Path to Becoming a Partner in an Engineering Firm appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to give an engineer some strategies for dealing with a difficult boss and some tips to help him delegate more and free up some more time. Having a supervisor who is focused on the business side of things while neglecting the engineering side […]
The post TECC 006: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Dealing with a Difficult Supervisor and Learning to Delegate appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to outline the steps for finding a mentor in your engineering career who can guide you toward achieving your goals. Finding the right mentor in your engineering career can rapidly facilitate your development. A mentor can help you avoid mistakes that other engineers […]
The post TECC 005: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Finding and Getting the Most Out of a Mentor in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to help an engineer who is discouraged and not happy with his current job. I am going to help him realize that he has a great opportunity in front of him, but it is up to him to seize it. All engineers have […]
The post TECC 004: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Creating Opportunities in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to help an engineer overcome stagnation and build flexibility into her career. Career stagnation can prolong your journey towards your goals or prevent you from achieving them altogether. It’s not just about rising to the top of the corporate ladder as an engineer—it’s […]
The post TECC 003: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Overcoming Stagnation in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to discuss the process of seeking your dream engineering job, a topic I am very passionate about. My philosophy has always been – why have a career if it is not enjoyable every day? Finding your passion and pursuing it in your engineering […]
The post TECC 002: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Getting on the Path to Your Dream Engineering Job appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going to provide strategies for improving your networking skills and help a young engineer overcome her fear of networking. Networking and building relationships in your engineering career are critical, because strong relationships will yield opportunities in your engineering career and life. This show will […]
The post TECC 001: The Engineering Career Coach Podcast – Building Relationships in Your Engineering Career appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.