Engineering Management Institute

TCEP-The Civil Engineering Podcast

TCEP 246: Why Civil Engineering Diversity is Essential for a Better Future

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Civil Engineering DiversityIn this episode, I talk with Michele Heyward, EIT, the founder and CEO of PositiveHire, about the current state of civil engineering diversity, the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the industry, and retention strategies for keeping diverse talent in engineering construction.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Civil Engineering Diversity

Civil Engineering Diversity

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Michele:

  • Given the benefits of having a P.E. license, even though it’s not always required in construction, do you also plan to pursue it?
  • How did your journey from coding enthusiast to tech startup CEO begin?
  • How would you assess the current state of diversity in the construction industry?
  • What challenges do underrepresented groups face in the engineering construction industry?
  • How can we retain talent, especially underrepresented groups and women, in the engineering construction industry?
  • What other specific actions can construction management firms take to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the construction industry?
  • What is your outlook for increased civil engineering diversity in the coming years, and what trends or initiatives do you see that could lead to a more inclusive future?
  • What advice would you give to young women interested in a career in engineering construction?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Why Civil Engineering Diversity is Essential for a Better Future:

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TCEP 245: How to Successfully Navigate the Transition from Technical Professional to Leader

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transition from technical professional to leaderIn 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:

transition from technical professional to leader

transition from technical professional to leader

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:

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TCEP 244: How to Develop Top Leadership Skills for Engineering Excellence

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Top Leadership SkillsIn 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:

Top Leadership Skills

Top Leadership Skills

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:

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TCEP 243: The Rise of Diversity and Inclusion in the AEC Industry: Opportunities for Women in Leadership

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Women in LeadershipIn 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:

Women in Leadership

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: 

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TCEP 242: Gaudí’s Stormwater Management Techniques: A Sustainable Approach to Urban Planning

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stormwater management techniquesIn 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:

stormwater management techniques

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
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
Sagrada Familia
Park Güell Walkway
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.
stormwater management techniques
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.
stormwater management techniques
The gravel courtyard of Park Güell
stormwater management techniques
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.
stormwater management techniques
Park Güell's captivating mosaics

More Details in This Episode…

Sources/References:

More About Antoni Gaudí
Park Güell
Sagrada Família
The World Through the Eyes of a Civil Engineer

This Episode Is Brought to You By:

Tensar

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.com

Colliers Engineering & Design

colliersColliers Engineering & Design is a full-service A&E firm with more than 2,200 employees and over 60 offices nationwide. As an industry leader, Colliers Engineering & Design has a responsibility to ensure the built environment is constructed with a commitment to the inclusivity, health, and welfare of our people, clients, and communities. For more information about how you can join their team, find them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn or visit their website at colliersengineering.com.

We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on how Gaudí's stormwater management techniques can be a sustainable approach to urban planning.

Please leave your comments, feedback, or questions in the section below.

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To your success,

Anthony Fasano, P.E., LEED AP
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success

TCEP 241: From Civil Engineer to HR Manager: How to Make the Switch

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Civil Engineer to HR ManagerIn this episode, I talk with Matthew Alboum, P.E., a regional human resource manager at Dewberry, who made a successful career transition from civil engineer to HR manager, about how he leveraged his engineering background to excel in HR. He also discuss the importance of acknowledging individuality and leveraging strengths for a fulfilling career, and he provides some great advice for engineers considering a career transition to HR.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Civil Engineer to HR Manager

Civil Engineer to HR Manager

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Matthew:

  • Did you pursue the management degree to enter a management role, but were uncertain at that time if it would ultimately lead you to a career in HR?
  • How have you found the skills and experience gained from your engineering background to be useful in your HR work?
  • Could you discuss the challenges you encountered during this transition and how you managed to overcome them?
  • Based on your experience transitioning from a technical field to HR, what advice would you offer to individuals who are considering a similar career change?
  • How have professional societies impacted your career, particularly during your transition into HR, and have you made any changes in the societies you’re involved with as a result?
  • Do you ever miss the engineering or technical field, and in what ways do you still engage with it?
  • What final advice can you offer regarding the transition from being a civil engineer to an HR manager?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Going from Civil Engineer to HR Manager: 

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TCEP 240: Real Tips on Achieving Work-Life Balance in Civil Engineering

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work-life balance in civil engineeringIn this episode, I talk to Douglas Teiger, FAIA, a highly experienced AEC professional with over 40 years in the field, about how civil engineers can achieve a healthier work-life balance and maintain their well-being while navigating the demands of the engineering industry.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Douglas:

  • Could you provide an overview of spiritual psychology for our listeners who may be curious about the subject?
  • In the demanding context of the AE industry, how would you define work-life balance?
  • Can you share your approach to achieving a healthy balance between your professional commitments and personal well-being?
  • How can the establishment of habits, rules, and guidelines for work-life balance, implemented at both individual and organizational levels, contribute to a more balanced and sustainable approach to work?
  • What strategies or approaches would you recommend to working professionals in the AE industry, who face demanding project deadlines and client demands, to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
  • As a mentor in the industry, what strategies, tips, or practices do you emphasize to professionals to cultivate a healthy work-life balance and integrate it into their career development?
  • Can work-life balance and professional success coexist in the engineering industry, despite the misconception that prioritizing personal well-being hinders career advancement?
  • What tools, technologies, and time management techniques would you recommend to engineering professionals to optimize their work processes and create a better work-life balance?
  • What practical steps and mindset shifts can engineers implement to achieve a more fulfilling and sustainable long-term career while striving for a better work-life balance?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Real Tips on Achieving Work-Life Balance in Civil Engineering:

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TCEP 239: How Preconstruction Planning Can Improve Efficiency and Reduce Costs in Civil Engineering

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Preconstruction PlanningIn 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:

Preconstruction Planning

Preconstruction Planning

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:

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TCEP 238: The Importance of Grants in Funding Municipal Water and Sewer Infrastructure Projects

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water and sewer infrastructureIn 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:

water and sewer infrastructure

water and sewer infrastructure

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:

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TCEP 237: Exploring the Resilience of Transportation Systems in the Face of Challenges

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Transportation SystemsIn 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:

Transportation Systems

Transportation Systems

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:

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