Engineering Management Institute

Job Search/Salary/Relocation

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 161: Should I Go to Grad School or Apply for Civil Engineering Jobs?

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grad school

In this episode, I answer a question that I get from civil engineering students almost daily. Should they seek full-time employment immediately after completing their undergraduate studies or go to grad school and pursue a master’s degree? And I promise you, whether you are a student, a project manager, an owner, or a CEO, you will take something out of this episode because I get into the decision-making processes.

Graduate school and professional engineering licensure are invaluable — but, as with any career, it is more a question of timing, and the answer to this question is different for every civil engineering graduate, depending on their situation.

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TCEP 130: Dealing with Major Career Decisions and Transitions as a Civil Engineer

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Transitions as a Civil Engineer

In episode 130 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, our fifth episode in our Women in Civil Engineering series, we’re taking you with us  to Hawaii to visit Coffman Engineers. There we talk to Jami Hirota PE, LEED AP, a civil engineer and experienced project manager that manages a quickly growing civil engineering department. Jamie will discuss the impact that major career decisions and transitions as a civil engineer can have on your career and tell us about a very difficult career decision she had to make around leaving the family engineering business and how it has impacted her civil engineering career and her personal life.

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Jami:

  • What are some of the benefits of working for a small civil engineering firm?
  • How is civil engineering different in Hawaii?
  • Is there a lot of work for engineers in the public sector in Hawaii?
  • How has being a female engineer in the industry impacted you in your civil engineering career?
  • How did you manage transitions as a civil engineer in your career?
  • What is your philosophy on management?

Engineering Quotes:

Transitions as a Civil Engineer

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Career Decisions and Transitions as a Civil Engineer:

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

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Working for the same Company

In 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

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

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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:

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TCEP 025: Civil Engineering Resume Hacking with Resume Expert Richard Poulin

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civil engineering resume

In episode 025 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I interview the resume expert Richard Poulin, who has studied over hundreds of civil engineering resumes, and wrote the book Civil Engineer Resume Hacking. This episode is packed with insider tips on how you can make your civil engineering resume stand out and be successful in your interview.

Here are some of the questions I ask Richard:

  • Big picture of addressing the civil engineering job search
  • How to make a civil engineering resume stand out
  • How long does recruiters spend on a resume
  • How can I optimize my civil engineering resume to deal with automated screening
  • Is a cover letter necessary
  • How can I use LinkedIn while employed to network and build personal brand
  • Tips for successful job interviews

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