Lauren, Design Engineer - Civil at Siegfried : Advize Career Interview
Lauren, a Civil Design Engineer at Siegfried, offers a compelling career path for aspiring engineers.
A family legacy in surveying and engineering sparked a direct route to a civil engineering degree, supplemented by pressure-handling experience gained through part-time employment.
A successful internship at Siegfried led to a full-time position focusing on site design, infrastructure development (storm drainage, sewer, water systems), and preparing construction documents using AutoCAD and Civil 3D. The work involves problem-solving, creativity, and transforming initial designs into tangible reality, a process the individual finds highly rewarding, despite challenges like balancing economic efficiency and constructability, and navigating licensing exams.
Siegfried's internship program, similar to the one the individual completed, provides excellent entry-level opportunities.
The individual's success highlights the importance of a strong academic foundation, continuous learning, and the unexpected benefits of diverse work experiences.
The exciting nature of the field, exceeding initial expectations, is emphasized as a key motivator.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
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Lauren Sensibaugh-Fornaciari
Design Engineer - Civil
Siegfried
University of the Pacific
N/A
Engineering - Civil
Professional Services
Consulting
Took Out Loans
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Career Path Of A Civil Design Engineer At Siegfried
Lauren's career path was heavily influenced by family, as "my grandfather's a civil engineer and my dad's a land surveyor," leading Lauren to pursue a civil engineering degree directly. After part-time work developing "pressure handling skills" at Pete's Coffee, a successful internship at Siegfried transitioned into Lauren's current full-time role at the company.
Main Responsibilities of a Civil Design Engineer at Siegfried
As a Civil Design Engineer at Siegfried, a design consultancy, Lauren's responsibilities encompass "everything outside of the building footprint," including site design— "laying out parking lots and walkways"— and crucial infrastructure like "storm drainage, sanitary sewer, domestic water," and fire protection systems. This involves managing existing conditions, coordinating with contractors, and ensuring proper stormwater flow to prevent issues like ponding.
A Day In The Life Of A Civil Design Engineer At Siegfried
A typical day for a civil design engineer at Siegfried involves significant time spent using AutoCAD or Civil 3D to prepare construction documents, "pulling together plans" and creating other supporting documentation. The work also includes tasks such as "hydrology reports" and spreadsheet-based calculations for things like storm piping sizing.
Favorite Parts of Being a Civil Design Engineer at Siegfried
Lauren, a Design Engineer - Civil at Siegfried, finds the most rewarding aspect of her role to be the complete project lifecycle, "starting from nothing to fully designing it and then seeing it be built." This process, transforming "a flat piece of paper with just some drawings to something that's real in vertical," is what she loves most about her career.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Civil Design Engineer At Siegfried
Lauren, a Design Engineer - Civil at Siegfried, finds the greatest professional challenge is "coming up with a creative solution that is both economically efficient and constructible." This is compounded by the personal challenge of navigating the licensing exams required for career advancement in the civil engineering field.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Civil Engineering As A Civil Design Engineer
Lauren, a Design Engineer - Civil at Siegfried, most enjoys "getting to see things come to life," highlighting the tangible and rewarding nature of the work in the civil engineering industry. This indicates a strong sense of satisfaction derived from the visible impact of their designs.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Civil Engineering Industry, According To A Civil Design Engineer At Siegfried
Design engineers who excel in the industry are highly analytical, "great with numbers," and possess strong problem-solving skills coupled with creativity; the ability to "handle problems and be creative" is key to success in this field.
What a Civil Design Engineer at Siegfried Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Civil Engineering Industry
Lauren, a Design Engineer at Siegfried, unexpectedly discovered the excitement of the civil engineering field, wishing someone had conveyed this "as exciting as it is" aspect before beginning their internship. Despite a family connection to the profession, the reality far surpassed initial expectations.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Civil Design Engineers At Siegfried
Siegfried offers internships, such as a seven-month co-op program partnering with the University of the Pacific, providing valuable entry-level experience. Lauren's participation in this "intern position," which involved "getting feet wet and learning what is truly happening in the field," was crucial to their career progression as a Design Engineer.
Significant Career Lesson From A Civil Design Engineer At Siegfried
Lauren, a Design Engineer at Siegfried, emphasizes the continuous need for learning and development in a successful career, stating that "the learning never stops," requiring constant effort to expand knowledge and excel. This commitment to lifelong learning is key to career success.
College Experiences That Helped A Civil Design Engineer At Siegfried Succeed
Lauren's success as a Design Engineer stems from a strong academic foundation, where focusing on "understanding what I was learning" proved crucial. The experience gained through an internship, coupled with the unexpected benefit of working in a "high stress environment" at Pete's Coffee and Tea, significantly contributed to career readiness.
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