1. What exactly do you do?
- What field is your job in?
Architectural Engineering - What is your job title?
Professional Engineer - Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for (size and general description of what type of organization it is)
- How long have you been employed in this position?
11 yrs - How many hours do you work a week on average?
48 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
48 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
I design Mechanical, HVAC and Plumbing systems for buildings. I run potential load calculations for various scenarios and then recommend and specify mechanical systems. I design ductwork and piping systems to ventilate, cool and heat buildings. I select and specify heating and cooling equipment. I perform energy calculations to determine that the building will meet local codes.
- What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
64119 - What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
65000 - Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
3 weeks vacation, 1 week personal time, group health insurance, 401k plan, membership in one professional organization, continuing education opportunities - Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
well compensated
2. Work environment!
- Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
I interact with several other staff members and I enjoy it.
- Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes - Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes - Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it
- Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
- 1 Income
- 6 Work Environment - co-workers
- 8 Work Environment - supervisors
- 7 Benefits
- 2 Hours
- 5 Level of responsibility
- 3 The actual "work" you do at your job
- 4 Job Title
3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?
- If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Apply with a consulting engineering firm as a summer intern or as an official CO-OP. These are typically paid positions and you will most likely start out drafting and working in AutoCadd.
- What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)
- Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Yes and No. Most people in the industry have an engineering degree. You will need an engineering degree to get professionally registered at the state level. However, there are several people in my office that do not have college degrees who just learned the business and are very successful. Many of these people are invaluable assets to our firm. Being a CADD operator at my firm does not require a degree and many CADD technicians move on to become designers within the firm through mentoring and hard work. - What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Take lots of notes and learn how things are done. Each project is different but there are many similarities. Once you mater a task, you can do it over and over on other projects. If anyone takes you under their wing and offers to teach you anything, be appreciative of it and pay attention. This is the best way to learn.
4. How did you get your J-O-B
- How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)
I called around. - What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)
I made a phone call, submitted a resume, had a face to face interview and was offered the position. - Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)
Yes. I interviewed with two people at the same time, the President of the company and the person that I would be working directly for. They offered me the job at the end of the interview. - If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?
Did I enjoy Plumbing design? What if the project takes more than 40 hours in a week to complete, would I be available? What did I feel I could do on the first day and be productive? How long have I been registered for? - Is this the job / field you planned to work in?
Yes - If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)
5. Background: Are you qualified?
- Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
I have a Bachelors of Architectural Engineering (a five-year professional degree that is accredited) and I am a registered Professional Engineer. - Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain
Yes, they gave me mentoring and opportunities for continuing education. - Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain
Yes. I have a specialized engineering degree and what I studied in school is exactly what I do everyday. - If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?
6. The Future and Beyond (FINAL SECTION)
- If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is "fun" about your job?
I take something from nothing and create a building that once it is constructed, you can see it and walk through it. - What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)
- Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?
Yes. I am learning a lot and would like to be a partner at this firm someday. - What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)
I would like to continue to work at my firm and I hope that someday I will be able to become an associate and ultimately a partner. - Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
Its fun!
7. A Day in the Life Of...
- 7 am - 8 am
- 8 am - 9 am
- 9 am - 10 am
- 10 am - 11 am
- 11 am - 12 am
- 12 am - 1 pm
- 1 pm - 2 pm
- 2 pm - 3 pm
- 3 pm - 4 pm
- 4 pm - 5 pm
- 5 pm - 6 pm
- 6 pm - 7 pm
- 7 pm - 8 pm
- 8 pm - 9 pm
- 9 pm - 10 pm
- 10 pm - 11 pm
- 11 pm - 12 pm