1. What is a typical day like for an entry-level professional in your organization/profession?
Typical day for an entry-level professional is to visit shift start with the local tradesman, hear what is going on in the field. Then review and submit open submittals from the Trade Contractors to the Architect. Throughout the day, this entry-level professional should do periodic walks of the site checking for safety and quality installations. Finally, this person should deal with problems as they arise in the field and address with the architect via RFI.
2. Tell me about how you made the decisions in your career path—why you chose this field, why you took positions and left positions.
I chose this field as I had a Civil Engineering degree and wanted in the field experience instead of additional higher education. I have been with Gilbane ever since I interned with them.
3. What do you like best about your occupation? What do you like least?
The thing I like the most is the custom aspect, where we are always working on something new or interesting. What I like the least is that each new project has a learning curve for many new TCs which can be a hassle to continually bring them up to speed.
4. What does your company/industry look for in the people they hire?
Self-sufficient, willing to take on new responsibility, leave their computer and walks the field regularly, etc.
5. What activities, classes or other parts of your college experience best prepared you for your career?
CPM Logic, but in general engineering as a whole was good and important as it provided me with problem-solving abilities. I don’t use formulas anymore, but I do approach problems with an engineering mindset.
6. What is the best decision you made as an undergraduate with respect to your professional life? Is there anything you would do differently?
Maintaining a wide network that allows me to discuss with others. If anything I would have studied a little harder in school just for the pride aspect.
7. What skills and experience are most impressive in your field?
Problem-solving, communication, keeping a level head
8. What media outlets (blogs, magazines, newspapers, Twitter feeds, etc.) should I be reading or watching to be in the loop in the industry? What organizations and online groups do you recommend I belong to?
Crain, ENR
9. What do you think is the future outlook for your industry? What kinds of changes are taking place in this type of work?
I think there will be heavy infrastructure replacement work and a large sector of building envelope renovations.
10. Would you be willing to review my résumé and offer your opinion and advice?
Sure