What to expect, first week as an engineer!?!?
Audio Brief
Show transcript
This episode examines the critical early experiences of new structural engineers, offering guidance on firm selection, skill development, and professional growth.
There are four key takeaways from this discussion. First, prioritize asking questions at the beginning of any project to gain clarity and avoid wasting time on incorrect assumptions. Second, strategically choose your first job at a firm that aligns with your long-term career aspirations, as this heavily influences your professional direction. Third, build a strong foundation by mastering manual calculations before relying on software; this develops the essential intuition needed to validate computer-generated results. Fourth, find a patient mentor and overcome the fear of asking seemingly "dumb" questions, as this is the most effective way to learn and grow in your early career.
New engineers often face overwhelming first assignments with minimal guidance. The hosts emphasize that spending time clarifying project requirements upfront, even if it feels like asking "dumb questions," ultimately saves significant design time and prevents costly errors. This proactive approach builds efficiency and confidence.
The type of firm an engineer starts at, whether designing skyscrapers or residential projects, profoundly influences their specialization and future career trajectory. It is crucial to select a first role that aligns with personal passions and long-term professional goals to ensure a fulfilling and relevant career path.
Developing "structural engineering intuition" is paramount. This skill, fostered by performing calculations by hand, allows engineers to "gut-check" designs and identify potential issues that software might miss. Over-reliance on analysis software without understanding its underlying processes creates a "black box" risk where errors can go unnoticed.
Patient mentorship is critical for navigating the steep learning curve faced by new engineers. Having a guide who provides a safe space for questions and learning accelerates development. Overcoming the initial reluctance to ask for clarification is vital for building expertise and avoiding mistakes in complex designs.
This conversation provides essential, practical advice for students and new engineers entering the challenging and rewarding field of structural design.
Episode Overview
- Hosts Max and Zach share personal stories about their overwhelming and often humorous first week as new structural engineers.
- The discussion covers the critical decision of choosing a firm whose work aligns with your long-term career aspirations, from skyscraper design to residential projects.
- The hosts emphasize the importance of building foundational knowledge through manual calculations to develop "structural engineering intuition" before relying on software.
- The episode offers practical advice for students and new engineers, focusing on the value of patient mentorship, detailed note-taking, and the necessity of asking questions.
Key Concepts
- First-Week Experiences: New engineers often face a steep learning curve, feeling overwhelmed and unprepared when assigned their first real-world projects with minimal guidance.
- Career Trajectory: The type of firm an engineer starts at (e.g., large-scale commercial vs. small-scale residential) significantly influences their future career path and specialization.
- Foundational Knowledge: A strong emphasis is placed on learning to perform calculations by hand before using software, which builds a fundamental understanding of engineering principles.
- "Structural Engineering Intuition": This is described as the ability to "gut-check" a design, a crucial skill developed through experience and manual calculations that helps catch errors software might miss.
- The "Black Box" Problem: Over-reliance on structural analysis software without understanding its underlying processes can be dangerous, as it can produce incorrect results that go unnoticed.
- The Role of Mentorship: Having a patient, willing mentor is critical for a new engineer's development, providing guidance and a safe space to ask questions and learn.
Quotes
- At 0:37 - "This is for, I would say, anyone from practicing engineers to students to anyone that's even interested in engineering." - The hosts define the broad target audience for their show.
- At 4:30 - "He has, like, drawings of a canopy... and says, 'Here, design this.' And that's it, kind of walks away. That's just, that's all I get. Design this." - Max describes the daunting and directionless nature of his very first engineering task.
- At 9:34 - "I should have spent three days on questions and then I could have designed it in 30 minutes, instead of three days on design." - Max reflects on the primary lesson from his first week: the importance of asking questions upfront to save time and avoid mistakes.
- At 19:24 - "Kind of picking the firm, like making sure that the firm that you're applying to or the job you accept aligns with kind of what you're hoping to get to." - The hosts discuss the importance of aligning your job choice with your long-term career goals in structural engineering.
- At 25:02 - "It's a black box... it's such a black box." - The hosts discuss the danger of relying on structural engineering software without understanding the underlying principles, as it can lead to unnoticed errors.
- At 26:40 - "That structural engineering intuition." - This is described as the valuable skill that develops from doing manual calculations and gaining experience, allowing an engineer to "gut-check" if a design feels right or wrong.
- At 39:57 - "Ask the dumb question. Just ask it." - The hosts encourage new engineers not to be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem basic, as it is a crucial part of learning.
Takeaways
- Prioritize asking questions at the beginning of a project to gain clarity and avoid wasting time on incorrect assumptions or designs.
- Strategically choose your first job at a firm that works on the types of projects you are passionate about, as this will heavily shape your career's direction.
- Build a strong foundation by mastering manual calculations before heavily relying on software; this develops the intuition needed to validate computer-generated results.
- Find a patient mentor and overcome the fear of asking "dumb" questions, as this is the most effective way to learn and grow in your early career.
