Professional and Career Topics

Good Afternoon!

My name is Agustin Mendoza and I am currently a civil engineering student at Liberty University. I am taking a class called Introduction to Engineering I. We are to write a research paper that requires me to interview two people with engineering backgrounds. If I could have some of your time and ask a couple of questions regarding how your time in college. My questions are: In your time in college, was being in any teams or clubs associating with engineering beneficial to you advancing in this career? If you were in any, could you tell me a little about your involvement in the organization and how it benefited you? Or how it benefits engineering students? Is there any advice you can give to college students on how to be successful in a engineering program? If anyone can answer my questions and send me an email at amendoza43@.... It will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Agustin Mendoza

amendoza43@...

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Agustin Mendoza S.M.ASCE
Construction Foreman
Dayton TX
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You will probably get plenty of responses. It's been a long time since college for me but if you need more, let me now.

Bill

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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
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Hi Agustin,

I graduated from grad school about 8 years ago. During my time in college I had many classes where I was part of one or more lab teams. Teamwork is important and vital in engineering. Learning to work with others, and understand how to leverage certain people's strengths, while supporting or improving their weaknesses, is an important step when working on or managing any team. The best team mates I had worked closely together, considered how their work impacted the larger picture, and made sure all of our requirements were covered. The worst team mates did not respond to emails, did not show up, or only put the bare minimum effort into projects without considering how their part of the task would fit in with the bigger picture.

In terms of advice, I will keep it simple: Many engineers have the technical skills to perform tasks, but lack the social or communication skills to work with others. Constant communication is very important so that nothing is left to be assumed on a project. Keeping organized and keeping everyone in the loop is just as important as having the right skill sets. 

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