Engineering Management Institute

TCEP-The Civil Engineering Podcast

TCEP 220: How Climate Change Is Increasing the Risk of a Megaflood

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Risk of a MegafloodIn this episode, I talk to Daniel L. Swain, Ph.D., a climate scientist focused on the dynamics and impacts of extreme events like a megaflood, about climate change, the intersection between extreme weather and climate in applied societal contexts, and how it can affect civil engineers going forward.

Engineering Quotes:

megaflood

megaflood

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Daniel:

  • You co-authored an article called “Climate change is increasing the risk of a California megaflood” that contains some in-depth research about the risk of a megaflood in California. Can you briefly explain what the article was about, why engineers should be aware of this, and how it might affect civil engineers going forward?
  • How do you use a “weather-centric” approach to studying climate change?
  • Can you explain what you mean by saying many kinds of extreme weather events are increasing in a warming climate and having major impacts on society — but the details are important and blanket statements are inadvisable?
  • What are some of the implications for infrastructure design and reconstruction that civil engineers need to be aware of?
  • What can engineering firms and leaders do to prevent critical events and catastrophic failures from happening?
  • What does a practicing scientist-communicator do, why is this role important, and why does it exist so rarely in academic and scientific contexts?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Climate Change Is Increasing the Risk of a Megaflood:

[Read more…] about TCEP 220: How Climate Change Is Increasing the Risk of a Megaflood

TCEP 219: Cybersecurity for Engineering Firms: This Is Why You Need It

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Cybersecurity for Engineering FirmsIn this episode, I talk to Michael Castro, C.DIR., ASC, MBA, the Founder and CEO of RiskAware (Cybersecurity) Inc., about the importance of cybersecurity for engineering firms and how engineers can introduce cybersecurity into their business.

Engineering Quotes:

Cybersecurity for Engineering Firms

Cybersecurity for Engineering Firms

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Michael:

  • How can engineers introduce cybersecurity into their business?
  • How is cybersecurity affecting the engineering community specifically?
  • How often should businesses be reviewing their cybersecurity measures?
  • What are your cybersecurity metrics and how do you address/achieve them?
  • What are the top three simple and cost-effective things people can do right now to protect their business’ cybersecurity?
  • Do you have any advice for engineering managers who would like to implement cybersecurity at their firms?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Cybersecurity for Engineering Firms: 

[Read more…] about TCEP 219: Cybersecurity for Engineering Firms: This Is Why You Need It

TCEP 218: Top 10 Career Tips from Leading Civil Engineering CEOs

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

career tipsIn this episode, I provide you with the top 10 takeaways and career tips from our first 10 episodes on The Civil Engineering CEO show. It is a video show that features CEOs from leading civil engineering firms, and because they shared such insightful information, we thought it would be great to recap some of those key pieces of advice and share them with you here.

Engineering Quotes:

career tips

Here Are the Top 10 Career Tips from Leading Civil Engineering CEOs:

1. Always Be Thinking About How You Can Increase Your Value to Your Company

In episode number 1, I talked to Kevin L. Haney, P.E., the President and Chief Executive Officer for Colliers Engineering & Design (formerly Maser Consulting). Kevin recommended that all civil engineers should always be thinking about how they can increase their value to their company — your value is essentially all you have in your career. How valuable are you?

Here is something he said that stood out to me:

[Read more…] about TCEP 218: Top 10 Career Tips from Leading Civil Engineering CEOs

TCEP 217: What It Means to Be a City Engineer and a Public Servant

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

City EngineerIn this episode, I talk to Kara M. Boyles, Ph.D., P.E., a registered professional engineer who became the City of South Bend’s first female city engineer in January 2017, about what it means to be a city engineer.

Engineering Quotes:

City Engineer

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Kara:

  • Tell us about your career journey and how it has led to you becoming the first woman to serve as City Engineer for South Bend?
  • What are your current roles and responsibilities as the City Engineer for South Bend?
  • Why is this job important to you and what made you stay on the public side?
  • What do you find fulfilling about being the City Engineer, and about being a public servant?
  • Can you give us an example of what robust and well-planned infrastructure means?
  • What is South Bend’s desire to be “smart” and what does it mean?
  • What key leadership principles and core values help guide you as a leader?
  • Which course do you teach at ND and how does it relate to what you do as City Engineer?
  • How can getting an MBA help engineers in their career?
  • What research have you been doing around women’s career commitment?
  • How do you avoid burnout and keep a balance in your life?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About What It Means to Be a City Engineer:

[Read more…] about TCEP 217: What It Means to Be a City Engineer and a Public Servant

TCEP 216: The Biggest Challenges Facing the Construction Industry Today

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Biggest ChallengesIn this episode, I talk with Aaron Witt and Dan Briscoe about some of the biggest challenges and mistakes construction business owners make and how you can avoid making those same mistakes.

Engineering Quotes:

Biggest Challenges

Biggest Challenges

Biggest Challenges

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Aaron and Dan:

  • Why the mission “Make the Dirt World a Better Place”? How does having a mission help your business?
  • How do you work together to lead the company? What about the board and the leadership team?
  • What are some of the biggest challenges you have experienced in the construction industry and what would you say are the biggest challenges facing the construction industry today?
  • What’s the biggest mistake you see small and large construction business owners making, and do you have any tips you can give the listeners for avoiding these mistakes?
  • What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made and lessons learned in the past four years as a startup?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Biggest Challenges Facing the Construction Industry Today:

[Read more…] about TCEP 216: The Biggest Challenges Facing the Construction Industry Today

TCEP 215: Improving Your Seller-Doer Skills as an Engineering Professional

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

seller-doerIn this episode, I talk to Amanda Payne, Associate Vice President and Business Development Director at Horner & Shifrin, about the role of a seller-doer and how it has changed from before the pandemic to where we are today. She also provides some great tips on how you can improve your seller-doer skills as an engineer.

Engineering Quotes:

seller-doer

seller-doer

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Amanda:

  • How was your journey from a business development manager to Director, to now being an Associate Vice President, accomplished and what motivated you to progress in your career?
  • How would you describe a seller-doer and the responsibilities of a seller-doer today?
  • What are some of the skills that an engineering professional should have to become a seller-doer and how would you recommend they develop these seller-doer skills?
  • How has the role of a seller-doer evolved from pre-pandemic, to during the pandemic, to now where we are hopefully heading out of this pandemic?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Improving Your Seller-Doer Skills as an Engineering Professional:

[Read more…] about TCEP 215: Improving Your Seller-Doer Skills as an Engineering Professional

TCEP 214: The Future of Work in Engineering & Architecture 2022

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Future of WorkIn this episode, I talk to Peter Atherton, P.E., about an in-depth study we did together about the state of the industry and talent market — and how companies can compete in a fast-changing world. We also highlight some of the key findings that are in the Future of Work in Engineering and Architecture 2022 report.

Engineering Quotes:

Future of Work

Future of Work

Here Are Some of the Questions We Answer:

  • Why do you say that the great resignation isn’t over yet?
  • Why do professionals leave their employers?
  • What is the driver behind the stress in our organizations and why should company owners be cognizant of the shape of our firms?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed About the Future of Work in Engineering & Architecture 2022:

[Read more…] about TCEP 214: The Future of Work in Engineering & Architecture 2022

TCEP 213: Women in Engineering: One Woman’s Journey to Engineering Success

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Women in EngineeringIn this episode, and in honor of National Women in Engineering Day, I talk to Marsia Geldert-Murphey, P.E., F. ASCE, Regional Director of Lochmueller Group, who was recently elected as the ASCE President Elect for 2023. Marsia is also the author of a book called “Cross, Yield or Burn – Navigating the Bridges of Life,” and in this episode, Marsia shares an inspiring story about her career journey leading up to her role as ASCE President and also talks about how we can promote diversity and gender equality for women in engineering.

Engineering Quotes:

Women in Engineering

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Marsia:

  • How did your elevator accident change your perspective in life as well as your journey into ASCE leadership?
  • Did you have to develop new habits after your accident?
  • What is your vision and goal as leader of ASCE?
  • Why did you decide to write your book, “Cross, Yield or Burn – Navigating the Bridges of Life”?
  • What do you hope people will take away from your story and where can listeners find your book?
  • What can be done to promote diversity and gender equality for women in engineering?

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

[Read more…] about TCEP 213: Women in Engineering: One Woman’s Journey to Engineering Success

TCEP 212: How Climate Adaptation and Resilience Connect to Civil Engineering Projects

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Climate Adaptation and ResilienceIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Emory Lee, AICP, ENV SP, MCIP-I, WEDG, Climate Adaptation & Resilience Lead for Ramboll Group A/S in New York about climate adaptation and resilience in engineering and some of the potential jobs or roles there are within climate adaptation.

Engineering Quotes:

Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Emory:

  • What is climate adaptation and resilience?
  • How do climate adaptation and resilience connect to civil engineering projects?
  • Are there specific projects that more commonly require your expertise?
  • What are some of the key points that civil engineers should know about climate adaptation and resilient infrastructure?
  • What potential jobs or roles are there within climate adaptation?
  • What final piece of advice can you provide to engineers looking to transition into a career similar to yours?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Climate Adaptation and Resilience:

[Read more…] about TCEP 212: How Climate Adaptation and Resilience Connect to Civil Engineering Projects

TCEP 211: How Civil Engineers Can Be Successful on the Job

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Successful on the JobIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I answer a few questions that I received from a consulting engineer a few years out of school about how to be successful on the job, get up to speed with design practices, learn codes, gain field practice, and organize resources and knowledge. 

Successful on the Job

Tips to Be Successful on the Job and Learn Quickly in Your First Year:

[Read more…] about TCEP 211: How Civil Engineers Can Be Successful on the Job