My daily tasks at Henderson Engineers in Lenexa, Kansas commonly include fire alarm and sprinkler systems design, code consultation, and shop drawing review. Design in the MEPF (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection) industry is a pretty competitive industry and requires a number of different skills from good designers (I work with plenty). Things such as understanding of codes, constant coordination with other disciplines, close scheduling with project managers, calls with architects, engineers, building officials, inspectors, contractors, and fire marshals are a regular part of my day. Getting to speak and work with people all across the country is something I enjoy doing. Especially in Alaska. Those people are incredibly nice.
I find that most of my time is spent finding information. Sometimes it comes from project managers, architects, contractors, local fire departments, or on Google Streetview. No lies, thank you Google Streetview. Each project is, in a way, like a game. Except each game the sport changes. As do the rules. You know how to play and may play certain parts better than others, but ultimately being flexible and ready for anything is the best skill to have. It is both challenging and exciting, and I honestly enjoy what I do.
Each day I work on a number of projects of all size. Daily work ranges from reviewing contractor drawings for a remote concessions and restroom at a youth baseball park to working on an entire community center. Part of my day may be spent detailing the connection and penetration of a concealed sprinkler in a freezer of a grocery store, and the next may be determining the occupant loading for a shopping center.
There were a number of professional choices that I looked into before choosing fire protection. ARCEs can work in essentially any discipline of building design and construction, and they commonly do. Graduates and friends of mine work in structures, design of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, building management, and fire protection systems, construction, and even law.
I chose to go into the fire protection industry for a number of reasons. I knew I wanted to work in building design for a long time, as I both have been fascinated by architecture but also how it functions. Taking that idea a step further, I felt and still feel today that providing functional, quality fire alarm and sprinkler design makes an important life safety and property protection impact for society as a whole. That meaning catered with the technical engineering excitement led me to fire protection. What will keep me in the industry is the great career opportunities, continued growth and stability of the industry, and need for experts in the field.
One piece of advice that I heard that I think is especially important in a recession is not to stress out about finding your dream job as your first job. Employers are finding that over the course of a career in engineering, designers and engineers are working for more employers than they ever have before. When you find a good fit with quality opportunities, try not to stress about it not being perfect. Not only is any job going to be challenging and difficult at times, but it can be difficult if not impossible to know what path you’ll take in the future and what type of work or industry you’ll end up with. Find a good opportunity and enjoy the ride.
As a big disclaimer, I don’t pretend to be an expert in engineering, nor do I have an established career that warrants giving advice. I just try to pass forward what I find helpful and has worked for me.
My recommendation for this week is to find some time to relax. Whether that’s finally getting to read that book you’ve been holding off or Youtubing along with Bob Ross, find some time to slow it down before the rush of the holidays. When it comes to happy clouds, remember – Bob Ross is Boss.
Last note: if you are interested in getting these Friday tidbits via email, follow these quick steps: (1) go to www.blogtrottr.com (2) copy and paste http://selfalumni.weebly.com/4/feedinto the URL slot, and (3) enter your email and select “Realtime”. It takes only a few seconds and you can get each weekly Connections piece sent right to you.
Thanks and have a fantastic weekend!
Joey