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  • 1.  Personal Career Development

    Posted 12-27-2019 08:48 AM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 12-27-2019 03:33 PM
    Hi colleagues,

    I hope you've spent a wonderful Christmas holiday!

    I would like to start a thread about my personal career development.

    Recently, I discussed my performance and aspiration with my direct report. In our conversation I said our previous and current workload are mostly about quantification, which can't enable me become an all-around professional in the cost and commercial management field (let alone the built environment). I also spoke of my next year's plan to internally relocate into other business districts. 

    We briefly talked on the next move, initially, into an assignment in an airport project where we are the construction consultant. In case it doesn't work (no vacancy), the alternatives are projects (probably renovation and fitting-outs) in China. In every sense, my aim is to gain important, practical project experience.

    Assume there is no physical obstacles (say, culture, administration, etc.), what are the key considerations related to seeking a professional career when making an internal move in a global business? Do you have specific take-aways if they have worked for you in your previous endeavour? 

    Appreciatively,

    ------------------------------
    Jiqiu Wang, M.ASCE
    Senior Cost Estimator
    Shenzhen, China
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Personal Career Development

    Posted 12-27-2019 10:09 PM
    It sounds like you want to be well-rounded with experience in multiple areas.  This can be very tricky and difficult to do, as CE projects are "typically" not completed quickly.  So either you stay with a project from beginning to end and gain all the insights/knowledge that come with that (but that can take years to do), OR you specialize in an area (such as scheduling, estimating, etc) and do that same action for multiple projects (but than you don't see the other aspects to a project).  You could also do lots of smaller and/or simpler projects, but then again you are not seeing all areas/aspects.  
    So in short, I recommend that you talk with many people, see what experiences they have had and lessons they have learned, and get a feel for what might be possible in your situation and company.  Pay can be a consideration, but so is enjoying or at least being competent at the job.  People that you work with can also make a huge difference (positively or negatively).  So find out all you can about the potential options, and decide what it is you are realy looking for to help narrow your options before jumping...

    ------------------------------
    Karl Recksiek P.E., M.ASCE
    CE
    DPO AE
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Personal Career Development

    Posted 12-28-2019 08:57 PM
    Hi Karl,

    Appreciate your time in writing this. These kind notes and insights you gave really help me a lot make my decisions. Generally speaking, I've been enjoying working on large-size projects to know multiple aspects of construction as far as I could.

    What you said is invaluable to me. I'll keep it.

    Best wishes,

    ------------------------------
    Jiqiu Wang, M.ASCE
    Senior Cost Estimator
    Shenzhen, China
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Personal Career Development

    Posted 12-31-2019 08:02 AM
    To add to what Karl says, I would propose working part/half time on one large project from start to finish in the role that you aspire to, and the rest of your time on a variety of projects either supporting role you want to have, or supporting a variety of other roles, such as the conception, planning, pre-design, design, and construction.

    Good for you to envision what you want and find out how to get it. Best wishes!

    ------------------------------
    Colleen Cunningham A.M. ASCE
    Sr. Engineering Associate
    City of Portland, Oregon, USA
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  • 5.  RE: Personal Career Development

    Posted 01-01-2020 10:05 AM
    Hi Colleen,

    I'm glad to hear your say. As you suggested, I will seek an opportunity to work on a large project (half-time) in the role that I aspire to. Meanwhile, I'm still able to work in a supporting role on other smaller projects where I have exposure to different aspects.

    Indeed, your insights matter a lot to me. Thanks for your encouragement!

    Cheers,

    ------------------------------
    James Wang M.ASCE
    Senior Cost Estimator
    Turner & Townsend
    Shenzhen China
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Personal Career Development

    Posted 01-03-2020 09:14 AM
    James - good for you focusing on your career!  I spent the last 10 years creating free content in the form of written articles, podcast and books to help civil engineers.  You can find all of it here.  Enjoy!

    https://engineeringmanagementinstitute.org/content/

    ------------------------------
    Anthony Fasano P.E., M.ASCE
    Engineering Management Institute
    Ridgewood NJ
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Personal Career Development

    Posted 01-04-2020 09:00 AM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 01-04-2020 08:59 AM
    Hi Anthony,

    Thanks for the sharing your work. The materials on this platform will be of great help to my professional career.

    Appreciatively,

    ------------------------------
    James Wang, M.ASCE
    Senior Cost Estimator
    Turner & Townsend
    Shenzhen, China
    ------------------------------