The World of Opportunities for a Civil Engineering Technologist - Wk 18/52
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As a Civil Engineering Technologist, I've had the privilege of exploring possibilities within the civil engineering realm. After finishing my two-year diploma, I was amazed at the opportunities available to me in the field. I wanted to share my experience to help other tech students realize that their career growth doesn't have to stop at the end of their college experience.
I've seen owners and CEOs of engineering companies who only hold a college degree as a technologist. I've seen people in every hierarchical position inside a company with only a diploma in engineering - let's call them "Techs." It's because Techs do the bulk of the project. Every proposal that's ever written allocates most of the hours to Techs. Ideally, Techs do all the thinking and designing of the project from start to end. On the other hand, engineers are responsible for getting the work and they have to make sure they agree with the solutions presented by Techs because they are held responsible and their reputation is on the line.
So, how do you reach the highest echelon of possibilities in the Tech world?
First, the skill, you have to get good at the software quickly, realizing it's your main tool to execute the job. Then, you have to learn the design, calculations, and construction side of the problems you're solving. Finally, you transition to learning the other forces that affect the project, like politics within the industry, the company, and between stakeholders.
Second, you can explore career opportunities inside your industry but outside of your niche. I had an opportunity to explore so many different niches in my industry that it helped me figure out exactly what I wanted to do. I started in the energy department for a civil engineering group, where I learned a lot about mechanical piping & infrastructure within the Greater Vancouver municipalities. Then, I transitioned into the regional infrastructure department, designing utilities and transportation infrastructure for the province of BC. Later, I tried the municipal transportation department, specifically the bridge inspection group. I then changed a company and got into the infrastructure group for all municipalities in the Lower Mainland. I got to work on some of the coolest projects in Vancouver, including the Broadway Subway Project, Hospitals, and even the Cypress Village. After almost 2 years working for them, I was offered another opportunity to explore the mining and forestry industry, designing infrastructure, recourse bridges, and roads around Northern BC. Through each transition, I gained a deeper understanding of the unique nuances and commonalities within various industries, allowing me to devise more effective solutions for similar challenges across different companies.
Thirdly, as I began to explore opportunities beyond my career, I discovered a seemingly endless world of possibilities for applied scientists and technologists. After college, I dabbled in entrepreneurial pursuits during my spare time, such as designing websites, learning about different 3D environments, and building a social media following. Years of hard work paid off, and I now assist with drafting engineering and architectural drawings and models, consult on subdivision development, and even contribute to civil infrastructure construction. As I continue to venture outside of my niche, I consistently find new avenues for growth - if you want to stay tuned to hear about the opportunities, don't forget to subscribe to this newsletter and share it with others that might have the same Mind of a Tech.
All in all, my experience has gotten me so far ahead, and I can’t wait to see where it gets me next. I love this industry, and the possibilities are truly endless, and I hope that by sharing my experience, other tech students and professionals will realize the vast potential that lies ahead of them.
Accomplished this week:
Construction Project
I wanted to share a project I finished this weekend. It was a bit out of the ordinary since I work full-time as a tech during the week. That’s the kind of opportunity I was talking about previously.
It was a typical Monday morning a few weeks ago when I received a call from a homeowner who needed a stormwater system installed for their house. It was a small project, but we were excited about it nonetheless. We knew that every project is an opportunity to make a positive impact in someone's life. We scheduled a site visit and started planning.
During the site visit, we realized that the original plan included a detention tank that was not necessary for the single-family lot. We suggested to the homeowner remove it, which would save them a significant amount of money without compromising the effectiveness of the system or the code. They were thrilled with our suggestion, and it solidified their trust in us.
After the initial consultation, we waited for the updated drawings to be approved by the local authorities. Once we got the green light, we began the installation of the stormwater system on the lot.
We installed a building sump, a double barrel catch basin, a few lawn basins, a perimeter drain, and all the necessary piping to ensure proper drainage. We made sure that the system was installed in compliance with all the applicable codes and regulations. Our team worked tirelessly, even during our off-hours, to ensure that the project was completed on time and to the highest standard of quality.
When the project was completed, we were proud of what we had accomplished. It was satisfying to know that our hard work had resulted in a solution that would help protect the homeowner's property from potential stormwater damage. The homeowner was happy with our work and expressed their appreciation for our expertise and attention to detail. Being a tech or an engineer in this industry really sets you apart from the competition.
Becoming a BIM Manager and Pushing the boundaries of BIM with Data & AI
Let's discuss the course I took last week, it’s called Advance your BIM/VDC Career with Lauren Collier. Here is a quick summary of the key points from the course, so you don’t have to take it.
In this course, I learned that BIM management is not just about detecting clashes in design, but about leveraging the power of technology and collaboration to add more value for clients and grow your business. To succeed as a BIM manager, you need both soft and hard skills, and a multidisciplinary team that includes architects, engineers, construction managers, and computer scientists.
In this environment, there are three key roles:
The main goal of BIM is to connect the design with the contractor, and the BIM execution plan is a necessary document for this handover. To become a successful BIM manager, you must be curious, organized, and willing to take risks. You should use data and computing power to your advantage, identify problems ahead of time, and optimize technology to improve efficiency.
Futureproof your career with BIM
To move up as a BIM Manager, you should focus on building both your soft skills by taking risks, being curious, asking questions, and collaborating with others and hard skills like setting up a model and coordination, clash detection, and budget management they are critical for delivering projects efficiently and effectively. Additionally, you should use data to drive decisions and find solutions to unsolvable problems. Identifying problems ahead of time and becoming a leader in technology will help you future-proof your career.
Futureproof your business with Data, AI & BIM
In order to future-proof your business with data, AI, and BIM, you should focus on incorporating data throughout the entire project lifecycle. You can then use this data to predict better solutions and improve decision-making. Leveraging AI and building smarter systems can also help automate processes and create efficiencies. Finally, you can optimize your use of technology by creating templated, ready-to-go models that can be easily adapted to meet client needs.
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Building Teams for the Future
Building teams for the future is also critical for success as a BIM Manager. You should surround yourself with people who have the skills you lack, whether that means hiring new team members or partnering with outside companies. You should also invest in digitizing your processes and collaboration platform to improve efficiency and streamline communication.
Conclusion
Overall, expanding your role as a BIM Manager requires a focus on collaboration, technology, and data-driven decision-making. By building both soft and hard skills, leveraging data and AI, and investing in your team, you can create more value for clients and grow your business.
Senior Civil Engineering Technologist at StoneCroft Engineering
1 年Nice article Aydimir. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm!