In this episode, I talk with Mariah Schroeder, P.E., senior civil engineer at Burns & McDonnell, about how field assignments in civil engineering give professionals the hands-on experience and design insight needed to grow faster and lead stronger in infrastructure and water projects.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Mariah:
- Can you walk us through what a typical day looks like for you as a field engineer on a construction site?
- What are the main benefits of taking on a field assignment, and how can it help civil engineers grow in their careers?
- Can you tell us more about your role in the Wichita Northwest Water Facility Project and the biggest challenge you faced on it?
- How has your time in the field changed the way you approach design and work with contractors and project teams?
- What kinds of personal and project-related logistics do engineers need to manage when taking a field assignment?
- What can engineers do to prepare for field assignments, and what traits make someone a good fit for this type of work?
- What are some common myths about working in the field that you’d like to clear up?
- What final piece of advice would you give to engineers who are thinking about accepting their first field assignment and wondering how it might affect their future?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Field Assignments In Civil Engineering Shape Careers Better:
- A typical day for a field engineer includes time both in the field and at a desk reviewing submittals, taking measurements, resolving site issues, and coordinating with contractors. This civil engineering role often requires living away from home for extended periods, balancing professional responsibilities with managing two households.
- Field assignments in civil engineering provide firsthand insight into how designs are actually constructed and maintained. This experience sharpens decision-making, improves communication with contractors, and leads to better, more practical designs aligned with real-world project conditions.
- On the $500 million Wichita Northwest Water Facility Project, the engineer leads contractor coordination, manages installation of complex equipment, and helps commission the system to serve one in six Kansas residents. The biggest challenge involved testing operations during a drought, requiring creative planning to validate system performance without disrupting the city’s water supply.
- Field experience changes how an engineer thinks about design, placing emphasis on constructability, long-term operation, and collaboration. It encourages better planning for real-world engineering conditions and improves interactions with contractors and project stakeholders.
- Engineers taking on field assignments must coordinate project transitions, housing logistics, and home responsibilities. From arranging lawn care to managing living expenses, success depends on planning ahead and staying organized both professionally and personally.
- Engineers can prepare by strengthening their technical knowledge and clearly communicating their interest in fieldwork. Those who succeed are humble, curious, and effective communicators who embrace learning and problem-solving on the spot.
- Many believe field engineers spend all their time outdoors or work in isolation. In reality, the role balances office and site work, and success relies on teamwork, communication, and collaboration with the entire project team.
- Engineers who take on field assignments in civil engineering develop unique skills that set them apart in future design and construction roles. While challenging at first, the long-term rewards are significant for those who fully engage in the experience.
More Details in This Episode…
About Mariah Schroeder, P.E.
Mariah Schroeder is a senior civil engineer at Burns & McDonnell focused on water solutions and remediation design. Mariah’s passion for solving complex problems has led her to work for many clients throughout the United States. She recently completed a 27-month field assignment in Wichita, KS, where she facilitated the design and construction of the new $500 million Wichita Northwest Water Facility. Mariah grew up in Michigan City, Indiana, and attended Purdue University for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees before relocating to the Kansas City area. Mariah has served in many leadership positions within the Kansas City Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). For her efforts, she has received numerous awards: Outstanding Younger Member Group Project, Outstanding Younger Member, and Outstanding Younger Member in Community Activities. She was also recognized by Central Exchange as a Rising Trendsetter in 2021. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, painting, and attempting to keep her plants alive.
About the Host: K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E.
K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E., is a licensed professional engineer and an associate vice president at Verdantas, an emerging environmental, engineering, and technical consulting company with a green, sustainable, and people-first approach in the foreground. James has over 17 years of experience in civil engineering in land development and municipal fields. Land development services include the design of subdivisions and site plans for compliance with local codes and ordinances, civil/site engineering, stormwater management, road design, and utility design. James has served as a project manager since 2018. In 2021, James was recognized with the Outstanding Project Manager Award at Duffield Associates (now Verdantas) for outstanding performance as a project manager and his consistent display of leadership traits valued by the company, including scheduling, management, proactive communication, collaboration, responsiveness, and client-focused service.
James was selected as the 2021 Young Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Delaware Section, and served as the President of the Delaware Engineering Society and the New Professionals Director on the NSPE Board of Directors from 2021-2023.
Sources/References:
Burns & McDonnell
CAS Constructors
Wichita Northwest Water Facility Project
Connect with Mariah Schroeder, P.E., on LinkedIn
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