Professional and Career Topics

Hello all. I recently decided to give up on pursuing an architecture minor for many reasons, one of which being that while I enjoy creative expressions in my personal life, such as composing music, I don't really want it to be a part of my career as a structural engineer.

Structural Engineers work with architects, but don't make the building look pretty. Architects create pretty buildings, but they also design for HVAC, mechanical, and so on. However, the design aspect in the architect's career is much more emphasized because of the public perception of architects as artists, which is why portfolios are standard in any architect's job application process. Engineers are creative too, but in the context of solving problems through design rather than artistic expression, so would it not make sense for a structural engineer to present their designs in a neat and collected manner like an architect?

As far as my knowledge goes, engineering portfolios do exist, but they are relatively rare. My question to professionals, whether they be EITs or retired, is what their portfolios look like and how they wrote theirs, or if they even have one for that matter. What projects did you include and why? When would you need a portfolio for an application?

These questions were inspired by threads I could find about the topic from various websites (such as Reddit), but I figured any information from this community would be more valuable because of the dedicated purpose of this forum as a place for civil engineers and civil engineering students.

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Yours Truly,
Haydn Chambers S.M.ASCE
Salt Lake City UT
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Haydn

Your description of the public perception of architects as artists intrigued me and the idea of a portfolio is a new way that we can showcase the amazing work done by engineers.  I would dare say that, for example, some of the bridges, dams and roadways that our engineers design are also works of art.  I don't know of any place where this is required of engineers but I'd like others to weigh in on how we can build our public image in a better way by creating these types of portfolios.

Thanks for starting the conversation

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Marsha Anderson Bomar, Ph.D., AICP, ENV SP, F.ASCE, H.ITE
Atlanta, GA
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Haydn - A resounding Yes! and extra credit for not being afraid to buck the norm:) You will see engineering portfolios from time to time, and I used one in my periodic job hunting for 30 years. I would like to see it become more popular, and when I see one from an applicant, it grabs my attention.

It is easier to create one if your work is unique or extraordinary, but I think every engineer should start building theirs so they can use it when they feel it is "ready for prime time", and we have to remember that everyone starts somewhere. On that note, an entry level engineer or architect's portfolio will reflect that they are just starting on their journey, but that's ok. For engineers that are principally designers and not managers, I think that portfolios are absolutely the way to go, and that CVs for those roles should be more focused on project efforts, rather than job title (in part because titles are far from standardized).

Some good examples I have seen (and used myself) focused on special features or specific tasks that the engineer performed on mega-project for which they had a small part. What was your part? Why was it important, critical, or even unique? You might have been "just" been a staff engineer, but maybe you were the staff engineer that did the seismic drift checks for the skybridge, or the one who designed the stadium stairwell that will carry 10,000 to safety during an evacuation? Tell me about your role, about what you learned, show me some model graphics or gnarly weld details:)

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Greg Kelly Aff.M.ASCE
CEO
Gulf Breeze FL
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Hi Haydn,

I have a binder which includes graphics of key projects that I've worked on as a structural engineer. It includes samples of drawings, renderings and calculations in an 8x10 format, folded to highlight aspects of the projects that I contributed to. I collected marketing graphics for projects I worked on. The slim, black binder, with clear plastic sheet protectors, was purchased in a bookstore.  I brought it to interviews and found an opening to ask if I might show it. I used the graphics as touch points to discuss technical aspects of the projects, challenges, my role and qualifications. I tailored my presentations to the company and position that I was pursuing. Consider the audience, and what would garner attention. I believe this is not standard in the industry, which made my presentation and preparedness stand out. 

Nanci Buscemi, PE

Retired after 38 years as a structural Engineer and Department Manager

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Nanci Buscemi P.E., M.ASCE
Retired
Maplewood NJ
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'Engineers are creative too, but in the context of solving problems through design rather than artistic expression, so would it not make sense for a structural engineer to present their designs in a neat and collected manner like an architect?'

I have a sort of digital portfolio- I've always thought of it as more showcasing the technical aspects of the projects, but bonus points when the structure is somehow visually impressive as well. I think this will become more common and in my most recent job search I was asked by the two firms that I was most interested in for a portfolio of my works. As a younger engineer this would likely be less expected, but could really set you apart if you're able to put something good together.

' What projects did you include and why? When would you need a portfolio for an application?'

What projects to include are really job specific, once you have enough projects to include you should carefully consider each position you apply for and what they're looking for. I usually let the employer ask to see something before including it, and it gets sent directly to the hiring manager after the first round of interviews.

One thing to consider is building your portfolio for each project as you complete it- you will have the best access to documents and the experiences you had during the project at that time.

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Nathaniel Martin P.E., M.ASCE
Senior Structural Dam Safety Engineer
AECOM
Tampa FL
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I would like to start building a portfolio, what exactly goes into one?

Any advice is welcome!

I do structural. Some specific questions I have are: 

• Does each project take up one page?
• Do I show the framing plans?
• Do I show smaller projects? (Since most of what I have right now?)

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Daniel Bressler P.E., M.ASCE
Structural Engineer
Brooklyn NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-03-2025 07:53 AM
From: Nathaniel Martin
Subject: Portfolios for Engineers?

'Engineers are creative too, but in the context of solving problems through design rather than artistic expression, so would it not make sense for a structural engineer to present their designs in a neat and collected manner like an architect?'

I have a sort of digital portfolio- I've always thought of it as more showcasing the technical aspects of the projects, but bonus points when the structure is somehow visually impressive as well. I think this will become more common and in my most recent job search I was asked by the two firms that I was most interested in for a portfolio of my works. As a younger engineer this would likely be less expected, but could really set you apart if you're able to put something good together.

' What projects did you include and why? When would you need a portfolio for an application?'

What projects to include are really job specific, once you have enough projects to include you should carefully consider each position you apply for and what they're looking for. I usually let the employer ask to see something before including it, and it gets sent directly to the hiring manager after the first round of interviews.

One thing to consider is building your portfolio for each project as you complete it- you will have the best access to documents and the experiences you had during the project at that time.

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Nathaniel Martin P.E., M.ASCE
Senior Structural Dam Safety Engineer
AECOM
Tampa FL
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