What do you do if your work-life balance is affecting your retention as a structural engineer?

1 Assess Honestly

To begin addressing work-life balance, you must first evaluate your current situation with brutal honesty. Ask yourself how many hours you dedicate to work each week and whether those hours encroach upon time that should be reserved for rest, hobbies, or family. Reflect on the last time you took a vacation or a day off that was not work-related. If you find that work is consuming an inordinate amount of your time, it's a clear sign that changes are necessary to protect both your mental health and your career longevity as a structural engineer.

2 Set Boundaries

Once you acknowledge the imbalance, it's time to set firm boundaries. This means deciding on a time when work ends each day and sticking to it. It might require having a conversation with your employer about reasonable expectations and workload. As a structural engineer, the nature of your job may sometimes require overtime or irregular hours, but these should be the exception rather than the rule. By establishing clear boundaries, you signal to yourself and others that your personal time is valuable and non-negotiable.

4 Seek Support

Don't hesitate to seek support from colleagues, mentors, or a professional network. They can offer advice, share strategies that have worked for them, or even help to redistribute workloads if necessary. In the structural engineering community, you may find that others have faced similar challenges and can provide insights into achieving a healthier work-life balance. Sometimes, just knowing you're not alone in this struggle can make a significant difference.

5 Embrace Flexibility

In the field of structural engineering, embracing flexibility can be beneficial for maintaining work-life balance. This might mean being open to remote work opportunities or flexible scheduling. If your employer offers these options, take advantage of them to create a work environment that better suits your lifestyle. Flexibility also means being adaptable when unexpected work demands arise, but also firm in returning to your established balance once those demands have been met.

6 Prioritize Health

Lastly, prioritizing your health is essential. A career in structural engineering can be demanding, and without good health, both your personal life and professional performance can suffer. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and taking mental health days when needed. Remember that taking care of your health is not a luxury—it's a necessity for sustaining your career and ensuring you can continue to contribute your expertise as a structural engineer for years to come.