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Alan, Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc: Advize Career Interview

A University of Portland mechanical engineering graduate, this Kleinfelder Inc.

Engineer II's journey began with a childhood passion for building, leading to a Livermore National Lab internship and ultimately a career in natural gas utility consulting.

The role involves assessing pipeline infrastructure, proposing cost-effective solutions, and collaborating extensively with clients.

A typical day balances remote and in-office work, encompassing design, client interaction, and presentations. Key skills include organization, communication, and patience, along with creative problem-solving.

The most rewarding aspects are client communication and contributing to essential infrastructure, ensuring reliable power. Patience, networking, and mentorship are highlighted as critical learnings.

The career path progresses from Engineer I to II, reflecting increasing expertise, and teamwork is paramount. A rigorous undergraduate education instilled valuable determination and problem-solving abilities.

A Hispanic identity has fostered strong connections, enhancing communication and building trust with colleagues and clients.

This engaging career path showcases the impact of engineering on daily life and the importance of collaboration and communication.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Alan Iannaccone

Engineer II

Kleinfelder Inc

University of Portland 2018

N/A

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Engineering - Mechanical

Energy and Utilities

Product / Service / Software Development and Management

Scholarship Recipient

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Career Path of a Natural Gas Utilities Consultant at Kleinfelder Inc

Alan's career path began with a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Portland, fueled by a childhood love of Legos and a desire to "build things and design construction things." After a sophomore-year internship at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory designing missile components, where the experience of designing for defense gave Alan pause, Alan transitioned to a role as a natural gas utilities consultant at Kleinfelder Inc., focusing on pipeline and station infrastructure assessments and improvement recommendations.

Career Path of a Natural Gas Utilities Consultant at Kleinfelder Inc

Main Responsibilities of an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc

Alan, an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc., assesses clients' natural gas pipeline infrastructure, station by station, identifying issues like "corrosion" or untested components. Alan then provides clients with cost analysis for various solutions, ultimately consulting on the best approach to address infrastructure problems.

Main Responsibilities of an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc

A Day In The Life Of An Engineer II At Kleinfelder

Alan's typical day as an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc. involves a mix of remote and in-office work, starting with a status meeting to discuss current assignments. The bulk of the day focuses on "engineering and design," including client consultations and presentations of project alternatives, culminating in formal stakeholder meetings where Alan presents cost analyses and proposed solutions in documents like "L2 scoping documents" to help clients address pipeline and infrastructure issues.

A Day In The Life Of An Engineer II At Kleinfelder

Most Important Skills For An Engineer II At Kleinfelder Inc

Alan, an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc, emphasizes the importance of "organization," "communication," and "patience" in a consulting engineering role, highlighting the need for concise communication and flexibility in problem-solving; the ability to "think outside the box" and consider "several solutions to one problem" is crucial for success.

Most Important Skills For An Engineer II At Kleinfelder Inc

Favorite Parts of Being an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc

Alan's favorite aspect of their current role as an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc. is "communication with the client," a significant shift from previous roles focused solely on design. This preference stems from Alan's lifelong experience in team-based sports, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and leadership, which they find fulfilling in guiding conversations and projects.

Favorite Parts of Being an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc

What an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Energy Industry

Alan, an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc., finds satisfaction in contributing to essential infrastructure; Alan highlights the crucial role of natural gas in daily life, stating, "natural gas is the most efficient way to...create electricity and power," and expresses pride in ensuring reliable power for the United States.

What an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Energy Industry

Significant Career Lesson From An Engineer II At Kleinfelder Inc

Alan, an Engineer II at Kleinfelder Inc., emphasizes patience as the most crucial lesson learned, stating that "patience is key" and that "nobody's perfect from the start." The importance of networking and seeking mentorship is also highlighted, with Alan advising new industry entrants to "reach out to people that have been there before" for guidance and diverse perspectives.

Significant Career Lesson From An Engineer II At Kleinfelder Inc

College Experiences That Helped An Engineer Two At Kleinfelder Succeed

Entry-level engineering positions typically begin as "Engineer I," sometimes called "Associate Engineer," a role Alan describes as involving "elementary stuff" where junior engineers learn from more experienced colleagues. This hierarchical structure, progressing to Engineer II and beyond, reflects increasing expertise and compensation.

College Experiences That Helped An Engineer Two At Kleinfelder Succeed

How Collaboration Has Influenced an Engineer II's Career at Kleinfelder

Alan's significant career lesson centers on the crucial importance of teamwork in engineering, stating that "it's impossible to know everything," and highlighting the necessity of collaboration, "working really well with others" to overcome knowledge gaps and achieve project success, much like a well-oiled "mechanical system made up of a bunch of gears".

How Collaboration Has Influenced an Engineer II's Career at Kleinfelder

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