- What is your job title?
- My current title is Senior Structural Project Engineer (I am a civil engineer with a specialization in structures).
- My current title is Senior Structural Project Engineer (I am a civil engineer with a specialization in structures).
- What does it entail?
- I design commercial buildings. In the past I have designed institutional and residential projects as well. I am part of a team that include architects, mechanical engineers, and electrical engineers, with the purpose of designing buildings that are safe and useful for the people that depends on them. As a structural engineer, I design the “skeleton” of buildings for strength. I make sure the buildings are strong enough to resist loading related to its use and environmental forces. Examples of loads related to its use include equipment (furniture (tables, offices), machinery (copiers, kitchen appliances, factory machinery), storage (books in a library, or stocked shelves in a supermarket) and of course people (called live loads). Examples of environmental loads include snow on the roof, lateral pressure from hurricane winds, shaking from earthquakes, water pressure from floods.
- I design commercial buildings. In the past I have designed institutional and residential projects as well. I am part of a team that include architects, mechanical engineers, and electrical engineers, with the purpose of designing buildings that are safe and useful for the people that depends on them. As a structural engineer, I design the “skeleton” of buildings for strength. I make sure the buildings are strong enough to resist loading related to its use and environmental forces. Examples of loads related to its use include equipment (furniture (tables, offices), machinery (copiers, kitchen appliances, factory machinery), storage (books in a library, or stocked shelves in a supermarket) and of course people (called live loads). Examples of environmental loads include snow on the roof, lateral pressure from hurricane winds, shaking from earthquakes, water pressure from floods.
- How long have you been an engineer?
- I have been practicing engineering for 23 years.
- I have been practicing engineering for 23 years.
- What inspired you to become an engineer?
- I grew up in a family of builders. Several of my uncles built houses or components for them. My father early in his career built houses, then specialized in woodworking, interior furnishings like cabinets, beds, doors. I learned to read plans (drawings that show how to build a project). I was fascinated with plans, so I decided I wanted to prepare them. Now I do!
- I grew up in a family of builders. Several of my uncles built houses or components for them. My father early in his career built houses, then specialized in woodworking, interior furnishings like cabinets, beds, doors. I learned to read plans (drawings that show how to build a project). I was fascinated with plans, so I decided I wanted to prepare them. Now I do!
- How many states are you currently licensed in?
- I am a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) registered in 46 states and in Canada. Engineering licensure is regulated at the state level.
- I am a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) registered in 46 states and in Canada. Engineering licensure is regulated at the state level.
- Do you have any advice for aspiring engineers?
- During your high school and college years, master the fundamentals (math physics, materials behavior). Having a solid foundation, will allow you to build upon more complex knowledge, even after college. It will also help tremendously when preparing for licensing examinations.
- During your high school and college years, master the fundamentals (math physics, materials behavior). Having a solid foundation, will allow you to build upon more complex knowledge, even after college. It will also help tremendously when preparing for licensing examinations.