Career By Design

I was wondering what you thought about when it came to space personalization (both in a work or home-office environment).  I ask out of curiosity, because while I am actually not the best example of someone who does much decorating in any aspect of life, I finally began adding decor to my home office (aka bedroom) once I started sitting there for 10+ hours a day. 

I like having a few decorations in a home office simply because the space is already "my own" and I would like to not let work from home completely dominate that space. Personally, I got into LED light strips around the room and a world map over the desk.

In the "real" office, I never had much decor for a few reasons. Most importantly, I work out of a client office and wanted to minimize my impact on their already crowded floor. I also wanted to follow the age-old logic of "never carry in more than you can carry out in one trip."

However, even with those things in mind, I began picking up a few small trinkets over time. I had a statue of the train that delivered me to work every day, and a stuffed animal dubbed "programmer pig" that was given to me by a work friend who left it behind "for good luck" after they left the office. I also had a few other small items that were gifted to me by other co-workers in the office. I liked keeping those around because they were small and they made me feel more connected to my co-workers. We also decorated for the holiday season quite often, and so there were some holiday lights that our group as a whole refused to ever take down. Finally, each of our desks in the office had some sort of meme printed and stuck to it that was related to H&H modeling. It got to the point where other parts of the office would stop by just to read all of the engineering memes!

What is your experience with personalization, decor, or other non-functional work items? 

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Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
Civil Engineer
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My only decorations were a mug left by a former cubicle occupant that I took with me through a number of cubicle changes. Finally a co-worker, thinking it was my cup, heard the story and suggested that I discard it. I didn't want to throw out someone else's stuff, but it was time.

I also had a Google Android charger that looked like their mascot Android, but it became a decoration when new phones required a larger capacity, and now it's gone too.

We're provided with all the calendars we need, so we don't need to bring our own. What I need to do is to clean out the files that have accumulated on my virtual drive.

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Tsee Lee, A.M.ASCE
City of New York
Long Island City, NY
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I actually have almost all of my desk "decorations" or supplies from former co-workers so I'm of the opposite opinion as your co-worker, that we just fully clean out old cubicles.  I look at it as a way to remember those who I've worked with in the past and continue the "life" of these objects that have seen the industry change over the years.  I hope we all leave a little something behind for the next wave of engineers when we move to new offices or locations.

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Erin Feichtner P.E., M.ASCE
BRIDGE DESIGNER
Pittsburgh PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-09-2022 12:55 PM
From: Tsee Lee
Subject: How do you bling up your workspace?

My only decorations were a mug left by a former cubicle occupant that I took with me through a number of cubicle changes. Finally a co-worker, thinking it was my cup, heard the story and suggested that I discard it. I didn't want to throw out someone else's stuff, but it was time.

I also had a Google Android charger that looked like their mascot Android, but it became a decoration when new phones required a larger capacity, and now it's gone too.

We're provided with all the calendars we need, so we don't need to bring our own. What I need to do is to clean out the files that have accumulated on my virtual drive.

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Tsee Lee, A.M.ASCE
City of New York
Long Island City, NY
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I agree, that's why I don't like throwing things out. The cup was kept for the cartoon on it, which wasn't very funny. I never tried cleaning it up so it would be fit for use. As a pencil holder, it was less useful than two others I just realized I've kept.

I don't know who used the cubicle from which I took the items.

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Tsee Lee, A.M.ASCE
City of New York
Long Island City, NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-14-2022 10:36 AM
From: Erin Feichtner
Subject: How do you bling up your workspace?

I actually have almost all of my desk "decorations" or supplies from former co-workers so I'm of the opposite opinion as your co-worker, that we just fully clean out old cubicles.  I look at it as a way to remember those who I've worked with in the past and continue the "life" of these objects that have seen the industry change over the years.  I hope we all leave a little something behind for the next wave of engineers when we move to new offices or locations.

------------------------------
Erin Feichtner P.E., M.ASCE
BRIDGE DESIGNER
Pittsburgh PA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-09-2022 12:55 PM
From: Tsee Lee
Subject: How do you bling up your workspace?

My only decorations were a mug left by a former cubicle occupant that I took with me through a number of cubicle changes. Finally a co-worker, thinking it was my cup, heard the story and suggested that I discard it. I didn't want to throw out someone else's stuff, but it was time.

I also had a Google Android charger that looked like their mascot Android, but it became a decoration when new phones required a larger capacity, and now it's gone too.

We're provided with all the calendars we need, so we don't need to bring our own. What I need to do is to clean out the files that have accumulated on my virtual drive.

------------------------------
Tsee Lee, A.M.ASCE
City of New York
Long Island City, NY

I have to laugh. Many many moons ago, when guys would permanently leave, it was like a rummage sale. Folks vying for a calculation paper, staplers, pens, scissors, note pads, or a better phone (landline).

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James Williams P.E., M.ASCE
Principal/Owner
POA&M Structural Engineering, PLC
Yorktown, VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-14-2022 10:36 AM
From: Erin Feichtner
Subject: How do you bling up your workspace?

I actually have almost all of my desk "decorations" or supplies from former co-workers so I'm of the opposite opinion as your co-worker, that we just fully clean out old cubicles.  I look at it as a way to remember those who I've worked with in the past and continue the "life" of these objects that have seen the industry change over the years.  I hope we all leave a little something behind for the next wave of engineers when we move to new offices or locations.

------------------------------
Erin Feichtner P.E., M.ASCE
BRIDGE DESIGNER
Pittsburgh PA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-09-2022 12:55 PM
From: Tsee Lee
Subject: How do you bling up your workspace?

My only decorations were a mug left by a former cubicle occupant that I took with me through a number of cubicle changes. Finally a co-worker, thinking it was my cup, heard the story and suggested that I discard it. I didn't want to throw out someone else's stuff, but it was time.

I also had a Google Android charger that looked like their mascot Android, but it became a decoration when new phones required a larger capacity, and now it's gone too.

We're provided with all the calendars we need, so we don't need to bring our own. What I need to do is to clean out the files that have accumulated on my virtual drive.

------------------------------
Tsee Lee, A.M.ASCE
City of New York
Long Island City, NY

When I have a table someday, I would like to display sticky notes, folders, folders organizer, pen holders, office stuff organizer/ small drawers ( for personal things like tissues), cute stand clock, mirror probably, books holder, a mini plant, a vase, scratch paper space, and headphones with USB. But I don't think it's possible in a government office, which papers/ blue prints are everywhere.

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Llala Chrishaye Ocampo Aff.M.ASCE
Student
City of General Trias Cavite
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I work in government and there's a small drawer that I use for personal things. The phone and computer have clocks. The webcam is better than a mirror.

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Tsee Lee, A.M.ASCE
City of New York
Long Island City, NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2022 11:42 PM
From: Llala Chrishaye Ocampo
Subject: How do you bling up your workspace?

When I have a table someday, I would like to display sticky notes, folders, folders organizer, pen holders, office stuff organizer/ small drawers ( for personal things like tissues), cute stand clock, mirror probably, books holder, a mini plant, a vase, scratch paper space, and headphones with USB. But I don't think it's possible in a government office, which papers/ blue prints are everywhere.

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Llala Chrishaye Ocampo Aff.M.ASCE
Student
City of General Trias Cavite
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My bling consists of a lot of books, manuals, and paper. For my office wall, I did frame and post my beautiful ASCE membership certificate along with my PE License certificates, and 2016 Taekwondo National Sparring Competition photo. 

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James Williams P.E., M.ASCE
Principal/Owner
POA&M Structural Engineering, PLC
Yorktown, VA
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Love the sparring photo!

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Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
Civil Engineer
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-20-2022 06:48 PM
From: James Williams
Subject: How do you bling up your workspace?

My bling consists of a lot of books, manuals, and paper. For my office wall, I did frame and post my beautiful ASCE membership certificate along with my PE License certificates, and 2016 Taekwondo National Sparring Competition photo. 

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James Williams P.E., M.ASCE
Principal/Owner
POA&M Structural Engineering, PLC
Yorktown, VA
------------------------------

I inspect bridges and tunnels, so I tend to decorate with a fine coating of soot, small size loose aggregate and rust bloom.  I surround that with a collection of orange and yellow safety vests, along with fragments of lumber crayon and chalk, adding a splash of color.

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Reed Brockman P.E., M.ASCE
ASCE Pre-College Outreach Committee Member
Chair, Public Awareness & Outreach Committee, Boston Society of Civil Engineers (BSCES/ASCE)
Vice President, AECOM
Boston MA
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This is fantastic. True engineering decor in its most essential form.

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Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
Civil Engineer
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-22-2022 02:34 AM
From: Reed Brockman
Subject: How do you bling up your workspace?

I inspect bridges and tunnels, so I tend to decorate with a fine coating of soot, small size loose aggregate and rust bloom.  I surround that with a collection of orange and yellow safety vests, along with fragments of lumber crayon and chalk, adding a splash of color.

------------------------------
Reed Brockman P.E., M.ASCE
ASCE Pre-College Outreach Committee Member
Chair, Public Awareness & Outreach Committee, Boston Society of Civil Engineers (BSCES/ASCE)
Vice President, AECOM
Boston MA
------------------------------

Once again I seem to be the outlier when it comes to general disposition in our field. I like my space to be unmistakably "me," and I think I'm too optimistic and happy with my company to seriously consider the possibility of ever being forced to pack up to leave.

One of the benefits of the way our space is set up is that I have quite a bit of desk surface that I am able to keep cleared off that isn't right at my computer. That is the area I use to review plans, have my calendar, leave documents, etc.


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Heidi C. Wallace, P.E., M.ASCE
Tulsa, OK
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I can't say enough good things about your setup! I especially love the desktop background photo/drawing combo.

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Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
Civil Engineer
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-22-2022 04:30 PM
From: Heidi Wallace
Subject: How do you bling up your workspace?

Once again I seem to be the outlier when it comes to general disposition in our field. I like my space to be unmistakably "me," and I think I'm too optimistic and happy with my company to seriously consider the possibility of ever being forced to pack up to leave.

One of the benefits of the way our space is set up is that I have quite a bit of desk surface that I am able to keep cleared off that isn't right at my computer. That is the area I use to review plans, have my calendar, leave documents, etc.

Some of the things at my desk:
-my "Who Sits Here?" survey for me and the one for my dog (see below) from our company Open House a few years back. The guys I sat by filled out the dog's survey on his behalf
-a unicorn drawing that was a collaborative effort with by 1st grade reading buddy
-a paper crane one of our interns made me out of a full-size print of a plan sheet from a project
-a potted arrangement from a florist that a friend sent me when I moved back to the States a few weeks ago
-a little model of the Acueducto de Segovia in Spain
-a Talavera pig from Puebla, Mexico (where I was living)
-one of my early watercolor paintings
-my PE certificate and seal

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Heidi C. Wallace, P.E., M.ASCE
Tulsa, OK
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