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  • 1.  Suggestions or Advice please

    Posted 03-21-2017 01:14 PM
    Hello,
    My name is Mihir Shah and I'm from India and was exited to study overseas after completion of my Diploma in civil engineering and bachelor in civil engineering which I presuied in 2015 in India, now I am in New Zealand and planning for Diploma in quantity surveying will it be my right choice to do so? Please suggest me and help me for what should I go for? 

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    Mihir Shah EI, S.M.ASCE
    Auckland
    +64022 0772264
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  • 2.  RE: Suggestions or Advice please

    Posted 03-22-2017 12:08 PM
    It really depends on what you want to do and what interests you.  If surveying interests you, go for it.  Ask yourself why you are pursuing a certain field in CE - are you passionate about that type of work?  Is it for the money?  Is it to get to a certain job/position/place?  Of all these, I would argue that passion is the most important.  If you are passionate about what you are getting into, it will drive you to study hard, do well, and keep progressing.  If you are not passionate, the work can become uninteresting, or even a dull grind that constantly keeps you looking elsewhere for fulfillment.  Also, if you are passionate and succeeding in your careerfield, you can find the money OR you will find the money isn't the goal anyway as you find fulfillment in other aspects of the job. 

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    Karl Recksiek P.E., M.ASCE
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Suggestions or Advice please

    Posted 03-23-2017 11:43 AM
    I agree with everything above. Plus, you won't know how a certain field fits you unless you give it a good try!

    There are two things that I experienced in terms of job/career satisfaction. Just like it is important to meet a good teacher to find/nurture interest in a subject, the type of people you meet in school or work can affect your interest or passion in a field greatly.

    Secondly, in the beginning of my career, I only half enjoyed my job and the rest of it felt dry and boring. As I gained more understanding, however, I got more responsibilities and authority, and now I am fully engaged. The field does not feel so boring or dry anymore. 

    Make a careful first decision, give it a good try, examine your situation thoroughly, and make adjustments. Good luck!

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    Nora McIntyre P.E., M.ASCE
    Project Engineer
    Jacobs
    Orange CA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Suggestions or Advice please

    Posted 03-23-2017 02:39 PM
    I agree with both Karl and Nora, great advice guys!  Also consider that you may have up to seven different positions and each will draw on your strengths and of course your shortcomings.  I like to look back at my early days surveying for a new highway (I-29 in SD) and reflect on the proudest moments, for example watching the highway and bridges grow from the plains of SD. Then going on to lead grading, paving and bridge quality control.  The leadership roles drew on all the soft skills such as mentoring, guiding and supporting junior staff.  I was promoted several times not for my  engineering skills but people skills (with an added plus of having a practical problem solving approach). How are you with others? competitive? supportive? aggressive? friendly? There are plenty of engineers with a strong background in math and science but fewer engineers with strong people skills.  Do you have both?

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    Barry Anderson P.E., M.ASCE
    Granite Falls MN
    (320) 564-4500
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    Original Message


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