EWeek 2017
This Engineers Week, we decided to ask some of our staff what inspired them to become engineers! Here are their responses:
Greg Schaertl, PE
Why did you decide to become an engineer?
When I was a kid, I had a friend whose dad was an industrial engineer. He would take his family to live in all sorts of far off places to design and construct power plants. The work seemed pretty exotic and important and interesting, and it became an aspirational beacon for me as my understanding of math began to develop.
What are your favorite things about your profession?
The abstract nature of geotechnical engineering has always been fascinating to me. Really good engineers have to rely not only on the hard information right in front of them, but also on the information that might not be immediately obvious. The balance between hard data and engineering judgment keeps things interesting.
Najib Kalas, PE
Why did you decide to become an engineer?
I worked on small construction projects at a young age (starting around 14 or so), including residential structure foundations, landscape walls, and concrete tanks. I wanted to know the engineering part behind these projects.
What are your favorite things about your profession?
Soils are so variable, and so is their behavior. I enjoy working with soil. Also, typically our work on a project ends after foundations are installed. It is always fun to drive by afterward and see a new bridge or tall building where you worked on its foundation.
Nickey Akbariyeh, EIT
Why did you decide to become an engineer?
I always thought that I’d be an engineer since I was child, before I’d ever learned the word “engineer.” The idea of making a new toy, a better and bigger doll house, etc. – or, put another way, building the world as you like – have driven me to pursue this career path. It is fulfilling, taking a step to make a better environment one day at the time.
What are your favorite things about your profession?
My favorite part of the job is to see the finished projects that everyone is talking about and be able to say, “I worked on this part of this project. “ It is a proud moment for whoever has worked on that project, no matter how small.
Todd Scholz, PE
Why did you decide to become an engineer?
For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed creating things of my own design, especially when the “thing” has served a useful purpose to me or others. I chose civil engineering because it is a profession that involves design and construction for the benefit of society.
What are your favorite things about your profession?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my profession is providing solutions to my clients that satisfy their goals and fit within their budget.