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Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset: Risk Is Opportunity

March 23, 2020 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Michael Burns, PE, PgMP, DBIA

In previous EMI blogs, we discussed Thinking Big and Being Mindful as We Set Goals and Building Confidence Through Empathetic Stakeholder Engagement. I fully respect that managing these objectives with a myriad of associated voices can be distracting as we attempt to sustain growth. Sustaining growth, for our businesses and talent, is particularly difficult in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Industry, as we constantly regroup to provide service on projects that marry significant technical challenges with dynamic client expectations. So, the intent of this month’s discussion is to explore a Risk Intelligent approach, creating a consistent basis for our teams to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and explore entrepreneurial solutions.

Scientific Laws of Leadership

January 9, 2020 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Jeff Perry

As engineers, we learn massive amounts of equations, corollaries, theorems, and laws. These typically apply to mathematics or scientific laws that must be understood in order to make appropriate engineering designs and calculations. However, have you ever wondered if these scientific laws that the natural world follows have applications to our personal growth, development, and leadership? In my opinion, the answer is a clear “Yes!”

In this post, I’ll take examples from some of the most commonly known scientific laws of physics — Newton’s Laws of Motion. I’ll show you how these fundamental laws apply to the movement and progress of people and teams, not just physical objects. Then, I’ll provide suggestions actions, or “motions,” you can take in your own leadership.

TCEP 126: Starting A Civil Engineering Firm

September 11, 2019 By EMI

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In episode 126 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I will be talking with Dax Hoff, PE who is the founder and owner of Dax Consulting. Dax outlines the process of starting a civil engineering firm and also covers some of the aspects of building an engineering business including finding new business and hiring the right people.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dax:

Tell us about your background and career journey and how you got to where you are today.
Take us through your thought process of deciding on starting a civil engineering firm.
Did you always feel that you wanted to become a business owner?
What are some of the benefits to starting a civil engineering firm?
What are some of the risks in starting your own business?
How do you bring in new business when starting and growing a civil engineering firm?
Talk to us about the process of hiring engineering staff?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Starting A Civil Engineering Firm:

TECC 208: Why Engineering Intern Tori Thomas Published Her Disagreement with Her Boss on LinkedIn

August 6, 2019 By EMI

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Photo reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-disagree-my-boss-tori-thomas/

In this episode of The Engineering Career Coach podcast, I talk to Tori Thomas, who is a strategic analyst intern at Organica Water about an article she wrote on LinkedIn regarding a disagreement she had with her boss. She explains to us what her goal was when writing the article and how it has affected her, and her internship ever since. We also talk about the passion she has for engineering at such a young age and the importance of using social media in your engineering career for personal branding.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed and Quotes Related to Tori’s Disagreement with Her Boss:

TCEP 102: Why Civil Engineers Should Get Involved in Government Policy

October 24, 2018 By EMI

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In episode 102 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I speak with Jennifer Sloan Ziegler, a Project Engineer focusing on water resources, specifically watershed management and coastal restoration. We discuss government policy and its importance in civil engineering, and why all civil engineers should in some way get involved in policy.

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some of the questions I ask Jennifer

TCEP 088: Growing a Civil Engineering Company from the Ground up with Stephen Morse

June 20, 2018 By EMI

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In episode 88 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Stephen Morse, PE, LEED AP from Grant Engineering about growing a civil engineering company from the ground up. Stephen talks about the process he went through in growing his company from starting out in his apartment to now having a growing office in New York City.

Here are some of the questions I ask Stephen:

What made you decide to start your own civil engineering company?
Tell us about your experience of hiring your first employee.
What types of projects are you currently working on, and what is your involvement in those projects?
How many employees does Grant Engineering have?
Can you explain what the organization: “Engineers Without Borders” is?
What would you say to a civil engineer that might consider starting their own civil engineering company?

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some key points discussed on growing a civil engineering company:

How to Get an Engineering Internship as a Student – Engineering Career TV Ep. 27

September 18, 2017 By EMI

Q: How can I get an engineering internship as a student?

Welcome to episode #27 of Engineering Career TV. The topic for this episode is how to get an engineering internship as a student.

I spend most of the Engineering Career TV episodes answering questions that have been submitted from engineers around the world on how to rapidly advance their careers and live the lives they want to live.

You can submit questions for the show by clicking here.

Let’s jump into today’s topic: how to get an engineering internship as a student, which is based on a question from Ishan, who asks the following:
[Read more…] about How to Get an Engineering Internship as a Student – Engineering Career TV Ep. 27

TECC 147: The Best Thing I Ever Did to Advance my Career

April 18, 2017 By EMI

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In this episode, I am going to share with you the best thing I ever did to advance my career in hopes that it will drive massive growth in your engineering career. Usually when you look back on your career, you can see a few moves that made a huge impact on your success — I want to help you identify those and duplicate them.