Engineering Management Institute

UPCOMING WEBINAR

TCEP 085: From Taxi Driver to Globally Recognized Transportation Engineer Featuring Gridlock Sam Schwartz

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Sam SchwartzIn episode 085 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Sam Schwartz, PE, President, and CEO of Sam Schwartz Consulting, LLC, a firm that specializes in transportation planning and engineering. During the episode, Schwartz discussed his career journey that started with him as a taxi driver, but has evolved into Schwartz today, being known as a globally recognized transportation engineer.

Here are some of the questions I ask Sam Schwartz:

  • How would you describe yourself?
  • Tell us about your experience as a Taxi driver and how it helped your overall professional development?
  • What is Gridlock Sam?
  • What are your goals in building your company?

Engineering Quotes:

Sam Schwartz
Sam Schwartz

Here are some key points discussed and quotes from this episode:

[Read more…]

TCEP 084: The Importance of Sustainable Infrastructure Featuring Kristina Swallow

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Sustainable InfrastructureIn episode 084 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, which is the first episode of a 5 episode Infrastructure Series, I talk with Kristina Swallow, PE., ENV SP, F. ASCE, who is the current President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), about the importance of sustainable infrastructure.

Here are some of the questions I ask Kristina on sustainable infrastructure:

  1. Why should we be concerned about our infrastructure in the US?
  2. How can we as civil engineering professionals help to improve infrastructure?
  3. How can we advocate for infrastructure funding?
  4. Could you describe one of your typical days as ASCE President?
  5. What parts of your job as ASCE President do you find most challenging?
  6. What do find most enjoyable in your job as ASCE President ?

Engineering Quotes:

Sustainable Infrastructure

Sustainable Infrastructure

Here are some key points discussed on sustainable infrastructure:

[Read more…]

TCEP 083: How Civil Engineers Can Create Added Value for Clients

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Create Added ValueIn episode 083 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Mel Lester, Management Consultant from BizEdge, about how civil engineers can create added value for clients. Mel gives some very specific strategies that you can start implementing right away in your career to create added value for your clients.

Here are some of the questions I ask Mel:

  • Why is it so important to create added value for your clients?
  • Can you talk about developing a client centered perspective?
  • How do you deliver business-driven results?

Engineering Quotes:

Create Added Value

Create Added Value

Here are some key points discussed on how you can create added value for your clients:

[Read more…]

TCEP 082: One Civil Engineer’s Passion for Culture and Community

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Passion for Culture

In episode 082 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Alexis Clark, E.I.T about her passion for culture and community in civil engineering, and several other interesting topics related to Civil Engineering.

Here are some of the questions I ask Alexis:

  • Tell us how you ended up working for Hilti and what it’s like working for such a large company?
  • You’re passionate about engineering and culture both, so let’s discuss how the two intertwine.
  • Do you work outside of the US?
  • What do you do in your life in general to try and integrate culture?
  • Tell us about your passion for culture and volunteering, and why you are so interested in them?
  • Where do you think Civil Engineering is heading in the future?

Engineering Quotes:

Passion for Culture

Passion for Culture

Here are some key points discussed about passion for culture and community:

[Read more…]

TCEP 081: How One Civil Engineer is Teaching Millions of People about Engineering on YouTube

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Engineering on YouTubeIn episode 081 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Grady Hillhouse, P.E.,  a Civil Engineer in San Antonio, Texas about Engineering on YouTube and how he has grown his YouTube channel to almost a half million followers, and more importantly how he is making more people aware of engineering.

Here are some of the questions I ask about his work discussing engineering on YouTube:

  • How did this YouTube channel hobby start for you?
  • What are your goals for this youtube channel?
  • Is maintaining this channel very time-consuming?
  • How often do you publish videos?
  • How does having this channel affects your civil engineering career?
  • What are your future plans for your YouTube channel?

Engineering Quotes:

Engineering on YouTube

Engineering on YouTube

Here are some key points discussed in this episode:

[Read more…]

TCEP 080: Is Civil Engineering Becoming a Commodity?

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Commodity

In episode 080 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Shane Sheldon, a civil engineer and listener from Oregon, about whether or not civil engineering is becoming a commodity. We also talk about the question that several civil engineers might be asking themselves today, which is: “Can civil engineers really be successful?”

Shane emailed me a few weeks ago, bringing up some of these points, which I felt were valid, but often overlooked, so I felt it important that he come on the show to discuss them.

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some key points discussed on whether or not civil engineering is becoming a commodity:

[Read more…]

TCEP 079: No, It’s Not a Bad Thing Working for the same Company your Entire Civil Engineering Career

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Working for the same CompanyIn episode 079 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I will give my opinion on why I don’t believe it’s a bad thing to work for same civil engineering company for a long time, possibly even your entire career.  I constantly hear people say that you have to make a move from one company to the next in order to really advance your career, which I don’t agree with.

Engineering Quotes

Working for the same Company

working for the same company

Here are 7 benefits of working for the same company for a long period of time

[Read more…]

TCEP 078: A Deep Conversation on the Philosophy behind building a Civil Engineering Firm

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

building a Civil Engineering FirIn episode 078 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Robert Mora, PE, PLS, ENV SP about the philosophy that he and his partner are operating under in building Batture Engineers + Land Surveyors, a unique civil engineering firm based in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Here are some of the questions I ask on building a Civil Engineering Firm:

  • Tell us about your experience with land surveying and how that has helped in growing your firm.
  • When did you realize that you might want to start your own business?
  • What did you do to prepare for starting your own business?
  • Tell us more about networking and personal relationships and how it has affected your career?
  • What was your goal in creating a local mastermind group?
  • Take us through the first year you started your business.
  • At what point did you decide that you want to seek out a partner?

Engineering Quotes

building a Civil Engineering Firm

building a Civil Engineering Firm

Here are some key points discussed and quotes from this episode:

  • I always thought about the bigger picture in my career and looked for roles that would benefit me in the future.
  • To a certain extent, I was not really focused on salary, it was more about mobility and opportunity. I would take less money to work someplace if it was going to give me the opportunity to do something that I wanted to get better at.
  • Part of what made things easier for me is that I’ve always enjoyed the process more than the results.
  • You become confident in certain things because when you are good at doing something, you are typically confident in it.
  • Overreacting to something is not going to change what is happening. It’s just going to change your perspective on it.
  • When building a civil engineering firm you might not immediately enjoy doing all of the different tasks, but through consistency, you can find enjoyment in it.
  • It’s important to build relationships and to listen to people in doing it, and help them, instead of immediately just trying to sell what you are doing when building a civil engineering firm.
  • Doing good work and being mission driven is more important than profits. You can’t do bad work and blame the price you gave the customer, for doing the bad work.
  • Don’t let money drive your decisions and what you do, but also don’t ignore it. As you grow in your business, you have to think differently about your company finances than your personal finances.

More details in this episode…

About Robert Mora, PE, PLS, ENV SPbuilding a Civil Engineering Firm

Bob Mora, founder of Batture Engineers + Land Surveyors, has over 15 years of experience in land surveying and civil engineering, providing civil design services for both private developers and municipalities. He has successfully managed and completed projects for the Sewerage and Water Board, the Department of Public Works, the Regional Planning Commission, the Orleans Levee Board, and St. Bernard, Ascension, and Plaquemines Parishes. As a sub-consultant for the Army Corp of Engineers, Bob managed the construction of over $100 million of flood protection, earning a Certificate of Appreciation for Exceptional Achievement from the Hurricane & Storm Damage Risk Reduction System Mission. A native of New Orleans, Bob graduated from LSU with a degree in Civil Engineering and Land Surveying. He is the past president and an active member of the New Orleans Chapter of Engineers Without Borders, helping engineers identify pro bono opportunities both locally and around the globe.

Sources/References:

Batture
The Engineering Management Accelerator
Engineering Management Institute Training
Bob’s LinkedIn Page

This episode is brought to you by PPI, the leader of civil engineering FE or PE exam preparations. Use promo code TCE8 for a 20 % discount at ppi2pass.com/resources

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

Engineer Your Own Success

 

 Art’s Principles: 50 years of hard-learned lessons in building a world-class professional services firm

Please leave your comments or questions in the section below on building a Civil Engineering Firm.

  • If you enjoyed this post, please consider downloading our free 3-part video series that provides tons of engineering career skills including how to use LinkedIn, how to communicate and how to develop your leadership abilities. Click the button below to download.

    Get Our FREE Career Videos

To your success,

Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED AP
Engineering Mangement Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success

TCEP 077: How to Handle Career Transitions Confidently as a Civil Engineering Professional

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Career Transitions

In episode 077 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Christian Knutson, P.E., PMP, who has hosted several episodes of this podcast. Chris provided a framework that he has used to make many career transitions, and also talked about building the confidence needed to make engineering career transitions.

Here are some of the questions I ask Chris on career transitions:

  • Tell us about some of the career transitions you had to deal with?
  • What are some of the skills and strategic approaches one should take when transitioning in their career?
  • How can engineers build their confidence and adopt a mindset towards taking risks in their careers?
  • Tell us about the planning and preparation you did when you transitioned in your career?

Engineering Quotes:

Career Transitions

Career Transitions

Here are some key points discussed in this episode:

[Read more…]

TCEP 076: Two Professionals in the Civil Engineering Industry who are Impacting the World Beyond their Engineering Projects

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_phase4'>phase4 / 123RF Stock Photo</a>In episode 76 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I interview two guests that work in the Civil Engineering world and have worked on very special projects that are helping our community and the world as a whole. They are Alan Lloyd, CIH, CSP, Associate Vice President and Corporate Health and Safety Officer from Pennoni, and Menzer Pehlivan, Ph.D., P.E., from CH2M who was one of the stars in the Dream Big Movie.

Here are some of the questions I ask our guests on impacting the world through these special projects:

[Read more…]