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Navigating a Successful Engineering Career: Insights for Upcoming Graduates

This informative presentation, “A Taste of the Real World: Challenges to Environmental & Civil Engineers,” offers engineering students a comprehensive guide to transitioning from academia to professional life. Covering key topics such as selecting disciplines, researching potential employers, and preparing for interviews, it highlights the importance of understanding various employment sectors, including private practice and government. Attendees will learn about the types of projects available in civil and environmental engineering and gain insights on establishing a successful career path.

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Navigating a Successful Engineering Career: Insights for Upcoming Graduates

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  1. FES Presentation to UM Engineering Students “A Taste of the Real World” “Challenges to Environmental & Civil Engineers” (a.k.a. “ The Challenges of Champions)”

  2. One Year+/- Before Graduation • Consider from one to three “disciplines”; • Interview Professionals in each one; • Identify potential Employers • Consider Geographic Location • Consider Size of Employer • Consider Clientele of Employer • Consider Practice Sector (private, public, etc.)

  3. Employment Sectors • Private Practice • Single vs. Multi-disciplinary • Construction • Residential, Non-residential, Public Works • Industry • Utilities, Manufacturing, Service/O&M, Sales • Government • Education

  4. Nearing Graduation • Assess relative strength of the sector; • Assess future growth / demand potential; • Thoroughly research potential employers; • Identify individuals for inside information; • Be selective with the first round of resumes; • Land Interviews.

  5. What’s in store for me, my future? From the US Dept of Labor: Occupational Opportunity Handbook

  6. The Interview • Every Interview is a learning experience; • Prepare, prepare, prepare; • Conduct yourself in a conversational manner, establish eye contact, ask questions, appear curious and interested; • Relax , be yourself, don’t pretend to be what you are not.

  7. What to Ask, who to Ask it from • From the Human Resources Department: • Fringe benefits, vacations, 401-K, health insurance, work hours, office policies, etc. • Company training/educational policies • From the Engineer you will likely report to: • What projects are “on the board” now; • What type projects you will be assigned to; • Duration of those projects; • Organizational makeup, who you will report to. • Makeup of clients, how many are repeat clients

  8. “You are hired” -- What next? • Expect a period of training • Find a mentor • Expect “field” assignments • Expect re-assignments • Request variety in assignments • Keep track of your time, maintain a log • Begin preparing for your PE exam

  9. What Kind of Projects are there? CIVIL ENGINEERING • Transportation: FDOT, MDX, DPW, Cities • Mass Transit: MD-Transit, Tri-Rail, FHSR • Airport: MD-AD, Airlines, FAA, • Seaports: MD-PA, Public & Private Marinas • Buildings and Structures: Too many to count

  10. What Kind of Projects are there? ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING • Water: MD-WASD, Municipalities • Wastewater: MD-WASD, Municipalities • Stormwater: SFWMD, DERM, Municipal. • Mitigation/Restoration: FDEP, SFWMD, DERM, US-COE • Private Development: Too many to count

  11. Thank you for your attention • Any questions ?

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