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TCEP 121: From Engineer to CEO and Everything In-Between

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In episode 121 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I will be bringing you with me to visit with William T. Thomsen, PE, who is the President and CEO of Urban Engineers of New York, DPC. We will be talking about his career journey and what has factored into his success and progression from engineer to Chief Executive Officer (CEO).  He’ll also talk about how his Engineering Management degree has helped him in his career.

Engineering Quotes:

Engineer to CEO

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Bill Thomsen, PE:

  1. Take us through your career progression from engineer to CEO?
  2. At what point in your career did you become part of the executive leadership team?
  3. What does it take to manage large scale projects like the ones you have managed?
  4. Your father was the President of a construction company, how did his career influence your career?
  5. You have a degree in Engineering Management, how has that degree helped you?
  6. What worries you about the Civil Engineering industry right now?
  7. Is it possible to have work-life balance as an engineering executive?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Going from Engineer to CEO:

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The Benefits of Scheduling Software for Engineering Professionals

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The Benefits of Scheduling Software for Engineering Professionals is a guest blog by Jim Hughes

Scheduling SoftwareWith the influx of new technologies, the engineering field has become more dynamic than ever. The expanding role of modern engineers, the increasing volatility of their work, the growing needs for engineering staffing and the rising need for engineering talent – all of these make project management and employee management challenging for engineers. Thankfully, there are tools that can make things easier for engineers, and one of the most essential is scheduling software. [Read more…] about The Benefits of Scheduling Software for Engineering Professionals

5 Simple Ways to Have More Meaningful Conversations as an Engineer

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This is a guest blog by Lara Smith

Meaningful Conversations

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”—Eleanor Roosevelt

Who hasn’t heard this famous quote? To have meaningful conversations, we need to raise our levels to those of great minds. To inspire, to leave a trail behind, and to motivate MUST be our motive. Aren’t you charmed by the conversational power of motivational speakers in an instant?

What’s the secret? Even when they are a stranger to us, how are they able to connect, relate, and then inspire us? Oops, I guess I gave you the key before even beginning!

Just to clear your doubts, the listed ways of conversation aren’t just for debaters, speakers, or leaders, but also for those who want to enhance their talks to strengthen their bonds. Engineers have to communicate on a daily basis — with each other, with supervisors, with people in different departments, and even with clients. Knowing how to have meaningful conversations can have an enormously positive effect on your engineering career and life.

Aligning the essential points of meaningful conversations, I want to share the best and most simple ones that every good speaker uses in his personal and professional life: [Read more…] about 5 Simple Ways to Have More Meaningful Conversations as an Engineer

TCEP 113: How I Went from Tinker Bell into Disaster Recovery

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Tinker BellIn episode 113 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Gina Rock who is the Program Delivery Manager at Jacobs. We talk about her career journey from the circus to Disney’s longest flying Tinker Bell (yes she was Tinker Bell) and then into the world of engineering.  What I love about this episode is it really emphasizes how it’s never too late to make changes in your career path.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Gina About Her Journey as Disney’s Longest Flying Tinker Bell:

  • How did you end up being Disney’s longest flying Tinker Bell?
  • What did it feel like for you when you found out you got the job as Tinker Bell in Disneyland?
  • Tell us about your performance as Tinker Bell?
  • What made you decide to go back to the engineering field?
  • How did you feel when you started with your first individual assistance job?
  • What makes a manager or leader effective in your experience?

Here are some key points discussed in this episode:

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How to Make Yourself an Always Demanded Engineering Professional

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How to Make Yourself an Always Demanded Engineering Professional is a guest blog by Jim Hughes

Demanded Engineering Professional
Regardless of your job, industry, or position in the company you work for, it is always important to stay in the competition and be an in-demand professional. By being a demanded engineering professional, you’ll always have options and opportunities to grow and take on bigger roles. If your boss gives you more responsibilities, it is likely because you are doing your job very well and he or she sees you as a skilled and dependable person. Getting your superiors’ attention goes a long way in enhancing your odds of getting a promotion or a salary increase. Though the competition may be tough for you, there are many ways to make yourself a highly demanded engineering professional. Here are some of the most effective ways in increasing your value as a professional. [Read more…] about How to Make Yourself an Always Demanded Engineering Professional

How Best to Engineer a New Career in 2019

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How Best to Engineer a New Career in 2019 is a guest blog by David Banyard

Best Career

Winter has gone. New Year resolutions may have been broken, but the days are getting longer and spring is in the air. The outlook is rosy. It’s a good time for people to consider their future best career options, whether they are in the right job or to reflect on how they want their jobs to develop in the year ahead.

For engineering professionals, the early part of the year is a great time to secure new work. In the UK, many projects ramp up before the end of the tax year and as a result, an abundance of contract opportunities arise in the early months of the year. But, it’s also a good time to secure a new permanent job, opening up new opportunities for those eager to take on a new challenge.

best career
But of course, with so many people applying for new jobs at this time of year, competition to secure the opportunity you want can be fierce. To help in your new job search, our specialist recruitment consultants have some valuable tips on how to stand out to employers:

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How to Use Your Fear to Build Your Self-Confidence as an Engineering Professional

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This is a guest blog by Nader Mowlaee

Self-Confidence
Building self-confidence is not easy. For many engineering professionals, comfort is a function of routine. We establish a set of sequences that we enjoy, that we know we succeed at, that will make us feel good, and that’s the end of it. But, to build true self-confidence, we need to break our routines. [Read more…] about How to Use Your Fear to Build Your Self-Confidence as an Engineering Professional

Young Engineers Moving into Management Positions

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This is a guest blog by Kyle K. Cheerangie, P.E.

Engineering Management

So, what is Engineering Management? Is it preparing budgets, scheduling, resource allocation and earned value management? These skills are the barometers of monitoring projects and work groups. But management principles are more defined than you’d think. Specifically: [Read more…] about Young Engineers Moving into Management Positions

TCEP 109: Construction Engineering – Communication in Negotiated Bid Contracts

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Construction EngineeringIn episode 109 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Nils Gransberg, MS on topics related to Construction Engineering. Nils also tells us about the research he is conducting into negotiated bid contracts, and about his military background and experience.

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some of the questions I ask Nils:

  • Tell us more about the discipline of Construction Engineering?
  • Why did you decide to get your PhD?
  • Tell us about your research on negotiated bid contract delivery in public projects?
  • Can you talk about what it was like being a civil engineer in the military?

Here are some key points discussed in this episode about construction engineering:

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TCEP 103: A Field Trip to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Conference

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Port AuthorityIn episode 103 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I am bringing you with me to the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Conference where I will be talking with several guests to get their view on the state of Infrastructure, but also tools and strategies you can use on your projects.   From smart landscaping features that serves as safe barriers to things you should know about disaster recovery when designing your projects, and even a software that will help you ensure that all parties on your projects are looking at the latest version of the project plans.  The conference was presented by Engineering News-Record (ENR).

Here are some of the question I asked our guests at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Conference:

  • What should engineers be aware of in terms of new landscaping products for infrastructure projects?
  • Tell us what disaster recovery means for designers in the A/E/C industry?
  • What are some of the things you can do to alleviate the challenges behind project document coordination?
  • How can civil engineers and project managers work on their people skills?
  • What is your opinion of the importance people-management in project management?

Here are some key points discussed in this episode at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Conference:

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