Engineers Week 2024 Spotlight: Evan McDonald
How long have you been an engineer and from where did you graduate?
I have been an engineer for almost 4 years now. I immediately started out of college with a job in the building design industry. I graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Project Management.
What attracted you to the engineering field?
I have always enjoyed figuring out how things fit together to create a larger function. I got into trouble growing up because I took apart our family TV to see all the inside and how it all worked. That same curiosity that got me in trouble then has helped me tremendously through college and in the workforce.
What do you enjoy most about what work you do? What are you looking forward to in the future?
What I enjoy most about what I do is problem solving and attempting to understand issues across a wide array of buildings and industries. Working in our National division has allowed me to travel to some places I would have never seen on my own and solve problems ranging from -20 degree weather in Colorado, to sunny salty air in Cancun, to speeding processes up for a manufacturer in Texas. In the future, I am most looking forward to growing in my understanding of the world and helping others along the way.
What is some advice you would give to someone considering becoming an engineer?
If you are looking to become an engineer or to become a better engineer, there are three small pieces to help you succeed. Stay curious, get in the field, and seek advice. Always stay curious about how the world works and how things interact with each other. Being curious requires learning about many different things. The best way to stay curious is to get in the field and see a whole world of possibilities. You will never learn about other opportunities if you never see the different parts of the field. And finally, when you come across something you don’t know, seek advice, and ask for help from people around you. Most of the time, the people around you are willing to help and may have the answer you need.