Blog

TSEC 60: The Benefits of Using Ultra-High Performance Concrete in Your Engineering Projects

September 16, 2021 By EMI

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In this episode, we talk to Matthew J. Bandelt, Ph.D., P.E., an Assistant Professor and Associate Chair of Graduate Studies in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) about using emerging concrete materials, such as ultra-high performance concrete, in projects and how they test these materials to evaluate their performance.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Matthew:

Providing Stellar Service to Your Engineering Customers

September 13, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

Think back to the last time you had a marvelous buying experience. It doesn’t matter what you were buying — a car, prescription drugs, or a hot dog. What made that experience stand out for you, the customer?

Now, put yourself in the shoes of your customers. They are the clients who hire you or your firm to provide whatever services you or your firm offer. How would they rate their experience as your customer?

A few years ago, I asked that question to a group of engineering project managers (PMs). Here are a few of dozens of topics they raised related to providing excellent service to their engineering customers:

Questions for Your Clients

TGEP 32: Managing Risk on Geotechnical Projects Through Quality Laboratory Testing Programs

September 9, 2021 By EMI

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In this episode, we talk to Anna M. Kotas, P.E., a technical sales and business development professional at GeoTesting Express (GTX), about how engineers can manage risk on geotechnical projects using quality laboratory testing programs.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Anna:

TCEP 183: The Importance of Geological Engineering in Civil Engineering Projects

September 7, 2021 By EMI

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In this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Christina Tipp, PG, CEG, a professional geologist, and Jason Island, P.E., QSP/D, a senior civil engineer, both from SHN, about the crossover between geological engineering and civil engineering, and how and when you need to get geological engineers involved in your civil engineering projects.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Jason and Christina:

What is geological engineering and what do geological engineers do?
Why is it important for engineers to have a good understanding of the different disciplines involved in a civil engineering project?
Tell us about some of the civil engineering projects you have worked on in the past where you needed to get geological engineering involved on the civil engineering project?
How do civil engineers know when to involve a geological engineer in their projects?
Tell us about a civil engineering project that you both have worked on together that had a geological component to it?
What advice can you give engineers considering pursuing a career in geological engineering?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Geological Engineering:

3 Ideas to Help Grow Your Community and Improve Your Life

September 6, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest post by Nader Mowlaee

It goes without saying that we are living through unprecedented times. But we’re all tied up together in this thing called life. Think of each other as bees of the same hive. When one bee is hurt, the entire hive suffers. It goes the other way too; when one bee thrives, the whole hive prospers. So I’m here to discuss how growing as a single person will help grow your community and improve their quality of life.

It’s not difficult to wake up nowadays and feel like life is awful on all fronts: our jobs are stagnant, our government is letting us down, and our physical and mental health has been neglected. All of this makes us feel like we are not fulfilling our true potential, and we are unhappy as a result. Sure, we are not going at it alone, and this happens to everyone. But, how can we change it?

We can change it by bettering ourselves. Yes, we can help our communities grow and prosper by improving our own lives. It will take lots of work, but fortune favors the courageous. If we believe in ourselves, we will reach our personal life goals and become the best version of ourselves, therefore positively and holistically affecting our communities and the people in them.

1. Compete With Yourself and Root for Everybody Else

TSEC 59: Starting Your Own Engineering Company (What You Need to Know)

September 2, 2021 By EMI

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In this episode, we talk to Michael Howell, P.E., SE, president and owner of Arrow Engineering. Mike is a licensed structural engineer who has experience as both a contractor and a designer. He specializes in providing engineering services for design-build projects and has experience in several different types of projects. We talk to Michael about starting your own engineering company.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Michael:

Growth and Empowerment Through Community

August 30, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Fernando A. Ceballos, P.E.

I’m often asked, “Why do you volunteer so much, aren’t you worried that it’s going to affect your career development?” The answer to that is “NO, why would I be worried — it’s likely going to help my growth.” However, it is a problem if I allow my involvement to distract me from my job and impact my performance. Here are a few things for you to think about.

Find Your Tribe

It is pretty typical for people to mention that it is harder to make friends after college. You either get lucky with good co-workers you enjoy spending time with outside of work or you join some type of social club. I’ve found the easiest way to find people I “click” with is through community organizations that have a cause behind them. That cause unites us and provides the initial filter of knowing that the people you are meeting have something in common with you.

I can attest to this! My wife and closest friends were all relationships that I made after joining an organization focused on a mission larger than myself.

Know the End Goal

TGEP 31: A Podcast Milestone: Reflecting Back on Our Top Geotechnical Episodes

August 26, 2021 By EMI

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In this episode of The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast, Jared M. Green, P.E., D. GE, F.ASCE, NOMA, and Anthony Fasano, P.E., LEED AP highlight and recap some of our top geotechnical episodes and the wisdom shared by some of our previous guests.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed as We Reviewed Our Top Geotechnical Episodes:

TCEP 182: Five Tips for Improving In-House Training Programs for Civil Engineering Firms

August 25, 2021 By EMI

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In this episode, I talk to Michael Dooley, P.E., LEED AP, the Principal at Bayer Becker about in-house training programs for civil engineers. Mike is involved with several professional organizations, including the Urban Land Institute (ULI), National Association for Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP), University of Cincinnati Real Estate Roundtable, and Tristate Society of Healthcare Engineers. In this episode, he provides five great tips on how engineering leaders can improve their in-house training programs.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Mike:

Proper employee training is important. There’s some debate over if in-house training is the best approach. What is your opinion on this?
You have five tips that you would like to share with our listeners about how they can improve in-house training efforts. Tip number 1 is “Do your homework.” Talk to us about that one, please.
Tip number 2 is to find a balance between the technical and the human side. What does that mean, and how would one do that?
Tip number 3 is “diversification of thought and experience.” What do you mean by that?
Tip number 4 is “emphasis on storytelling.” What stories are you referring to here?
Tip number 5 is “rinse and repeat.” Explain this statement as related to training?
Any last pieces of advice on internal training programs?

Here Are The Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Improving In-House Training Programs for Civil Engineering Firms:

Paying It Forward: Engineers Can Make an Impact

August 23, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Tiffani Teachey

You might be thinking, “What does this have to do with engineering?” I’ll tell you. One of the most valuable traits that an engineer can possess is empathy, which is the ability to understand and share in another person’s emotions. What better way to exercise this trait than by helping others? Whether it is donating food, clothes, or time, engineers can make an impact by finding ways to give back!

“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living here on Earth” ~ Shirley Chisholm