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Edgar, Engineer I at Granite Construction: Advize Career Interview
A career in civil engineering offers exciting variety and tangible results, as evidenced by Edgar's journey.
Starting with internships at PKF Engineers and Trobe Construction, foundational skills in AutoCAD and project management were developed, leading to a position as an Engineer I at Granite Construction.
This role involves managing job sites, overseeing budgets and schedules, and collaborating with subcontractors. A typical day includes safety meetings, coordinating materials, approving timecards, and proactive communication.
Success requires strong communication, organization, and a willingness to learn from mistakes and ask questions.
The industry provides diverse project opportunities, from NASA runway construction to smaller road projects, with continuous learning and professional growth.
Granite Construction's rotational program offers an ideal entry point, allowing early career exploration and career path selection.
Networking and internships are crucial for career success, providing practical experience and invaluable connections.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Edgar Sanchez Lopez
Engineer I
Granite Construction
San Jose State University
NA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Engineering - Civil
Construction
Operations and Project Management
First Generation College Student
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Career Path of an Engineer I at Granite Construction
Edgar's career path began with a sophomore year internship at PKF Engineers, where "designing civil sheets on AutoCAD" provided foundational skills. This experience transitioned into a project engineering internship at Trobe Construction on the Vantage Data Center project, a role that closely resembles Edgar's current position at Granite Construction.
Main Responsibilities Of An Engineer I At Granite Construction
Edgar's main responsibility as an Engineer I at Granite Construction is "managing the job site," encompassing budget adherence, plan comprehension amongst the crew, timecard approval, cost code allocation, and forecasting. Effective communication with subcontractors and the owner regarding progress and issues is also crucial to this role.
A Day In The Life Of An Engineer At Granite Construction
A project engineer's day begins early, at 7:00 AM, with a "take five" safety meeting and coordinating with foremen on material needs; the remainder of the workday involves office tasks like approving time cards and invoices, planning ahead for material orders such as "concrete, asphalt," and communicating with subcontractors to ensure smooth project execution.
Most Important Skills For An Engineer I At Granite Construction
For an Engineer I at Granite Construction, strong communication skills are paramount, ensuring "everybody is on the same page," especially when coordinating multiple subcontractors. Effective organization and planning are equally crucial, as evidenced by the need for meticulous record-keeping during project closeout, including "keeping logs of RFIs" and managing schedules.
Favorite Parts of Being an Engineer at Granite Construction
Edgar, an Engineer I at Granite Construction, appreciates the daily variety inherent in the role, stating that "every project is a little bit different," and finds satisfaction in seeing the tangible results of their work, contributing to the community through infrastructure projects such as "a roadway that I build or bridge."
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Engineer I At Granite Construction
Edgar's biggest challenges as an Engineer I at Granite Construction involve time management, specifically balancing field work with office tasks like processing invoices to avoid "getting slammed" at the end of the month. Another key challenge is negotiating with project owners on change orders, a skill Edgar notes is "acquired" through experience and depends heavily on the owner's personality.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Construction As An Engineer At Granite Construction
Edgar, an Engineer I at Granite Construction, enjoys the "variety of projects," citing work on the NASA Ames runway as a highlight, and appreciates the diverse locations, mentioning projects ranging from "a simple road" to sites with "the coolest view every morning" near the beach.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Construction Industry, According To An Engineer I At Granite Construction
Edgar, an Engineer I at Granite Construction, identifies a crucial trait for success in the industry: a willingness to "not be afraid to ask questions," especially of experienced on-site personnel, acknowledging that newcomers "don't know what you're doing" and emphasizing learning from those with more experience. This proactive approach to knowledge acquisition, even if it involves seemingly "dumb questions," is key to growth in this field.
What An Engineer I At Granite Construction Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Construction Industry
Edgar, an Engineer I at Granite Construction, advises aspiring engineers to "not be afraid of, own up to your mistakes," emphasizing that learning from errors is crucial for career growth. The willingness to ask questions and address mistakes directly is more valuable than avoiding challenges due to fear of failure, as "everybody does it."
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Project Engineers
A typical entry-level route for undergraduate students is becoming a project engineer, initially working alongside more experienced engineers on "small tasks" before developing into an independent role. Granite Construction also offers a unique rotational program exposing new hires to project engineering, safety, and environmental roles to help determine best fit within the company, allowing new hires to "pick the one that you like the most".
Significant Career Lesson From an Engineer at Granite Construction
Edgar, an Engineer I at Granite Construction, learned the significance of proactively communicating challenges; "raising your hand and saying, Hey, like, you know, I need some help," prevents last-minute crises and demonstrates responsible project management. This approach, involving early communication and planning, has proven invaluable in their career.
College Experiences That Helped an Engineer at Granite Construction Succeed
To succeed in a civil engineering career, Edgar emphasizes networking and securing internships, stating that "making connections" led to opportunities that "prepared me to land a job after college." He further advises exploring both design and construction internships to determine career preference before graduating, highlighting the importance of knowing "where you want to land" to avoid career dissatisfaction.
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