Describe your day to day responsibilities:
As a project engineer in the land development division, I work on a variety of projects ranging from public improvement to a commercial plaza to a single lot, in-fill grading plan. As a civil engineer, I am responsible for site grading, storm sewer design, sanitary sewer and waterline design, along with Storm Water Management (SWM) and Best Management Plan (BMP) facilities. While designing ongoing projects, I sometimes get Requests for Information (RFI) for projects that have already been approved and are under construction. These RFIs can result from discrepancies between the field conditions and the original design. When this occurs, my colleagues and I work as a team to find the most economical and efficient solution to overcome the challenge.
How long have you worked for the firm and how have your responsibilities increased?
I have been with Burgess & Niple since February of 2006. During this time, my responsibilities have expanded from utility design to designing sites from preliminary engineering through the construction phase. Each project has many elements that connect to create a facility to be enjoyed by the end-user. The volume and type of tasks that I am involved with has increased during the past two years. Rather than having a focused concentration on drainage, I now have a better understanding of the big picture, visualizing the design requirements of a site from project start to completion. This insight has allowed me to have greater control and coordination over the project design elements and the civil team design efforts, when working with mechanical engineers, architects, and contractors. My goal is to ensure that the process and the design benefit the client, the environment, and ultimately our society.
What type of projects do you work on?
Projects that I work on can be divided into three main categories – commercial, residential, and public improvements. Commercial projects include office buildings, warehouses, service buildings, and shopping plazas. Residential projects traditionally include subdivisions and in-fill lot grading. Numerous projects fall into the public improvement category, including trails and bike paths, synthetic turf fields, and wetland restoration projects. Each of these project types have there own intricacies and challenges which make the project design interesting and fun.
What types of activities, associations or memberships have you had that contributed to your career?
As a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the knowledge and information that I have gained has proven to be very useful to me. One activity that has given me a thorough understanding of construction and the implications of design has been working on family and personal residences. The hands on experience of building decks, taking down and putting up walls, or changing out columns has given me an appreciation for engineering which you can not get by being in classrooms.
Looking back to your college years, what types of internships or jobs did you have that helped your career path?
During my senior year I worked with general contracting firm as a technologist. I helped prepare bids and worked on the job site overseeing certain construction activities. This was a great experience for me because it allowed me the opportunity to see how the ink on paper transforms into concrete, steel, and soil to complete a matrix of element and leave a finished project for people to enjoy for generations to come.
Will you be sitting for your PE exam in the coming future?
I will be sitting for my P.E. exam, as soon as I am eligible, in October of 2009. Being a registered professional engineer is what I am striving for every working day. I believe in the engineering code of ethics and cannot wait to legally represent this fine establishment.
