How did you see technology change throughout your professional career?
When I began my career, technologies for construction were still in the development stage, and I was a part of watching this transformation happen from the beginning. I was a pioneer user of Primavera scheduling software as well as an application called Expedition by Oracle. It was actually the first system for managing project data that let you operate RFIs and submittals, meeting minutes, correspondence, and so on.
Watching technology develop has given me a great appreciation of the current state of technology. In the past, the line and grade were recorded using a total station as well as a massive data collector that could only perform some tasks. Today, the accuracy is precise thanks to drones, tablets, and LiDAR. Paving processes that were previously run by strings now employ the three-dimensional model of control.
The process of construction will always require humans to manage machinery and take judgment calls; however, it’s exciting to witness these advancements. The next step in technology will focus on the accuracy of earthwork, getting it to below a 10th, or half-a-10th, or setting pavements to quarter-inch levels using models. This is the direction we’re heading in, where surface modeling is bringing greater efficiency.
Technology is making construction any more difficult than it was previously.
One specific weakness I’ve discovered is the issue with email. The World Without Email by Cal Newport is an absolute game-changer for me. Cal Newport makes the following argument that email should be the sole way we connect. It’s an excellent instrument to communicate information, but in the last few years, we’ve gotten to a point where we send messages back and forth rather than taking the phone and talking to a person.
I’ve been working hard to keep my email open. I check my email early in the morning, shut it off, and then check it again at noon. If someone really wants to get in touch with me, they can call me. By this method, I’m not looking at Outlook all day long in anticipation of the next email. If you let notifications from email dominate your day, it cannot be easy to concentrate.
Cal Newport calls this the cost of the process of context switching. You may be working on a bridge abutment issue when you receive an email that changes your focus to a concern regarding the timesheet. It is now time to change direction and start contemplating bridge abutments. When you are working on a technical issue, you must get deep into the problem and remain focused on finding the solution. Email notifications can become a huge distracting factor.
Would you suggest the field of civil engineering as a profession? Are you worried about the current shortage of labor in the area?
Civil engineering is always the best career option. If you consider the security of the job and the advantages, as well as the possibilities for career progression, it offers everything. If you’re someone who enjoys sciences and math, enjoys digging in the dirt and playing outdoors, and loves to watch things be constructed, this is the sector to be in.
It’s a difficult time today. There are hundreds of thousands of bridges and roads that require repair. However, are we able to find enough workers to operate the machines, lay sewer pipes, and lay the pavement? The contractors are reaching the point where they are unable to offer every project they’d like because they aren’t able to maintain their capacity. On one hand, the abundance of work is a wonderful issue to have. However, it is a drain on our resources, which is why we do not want to turn people away from the field.
The next generation is led to careers in technology and other emerging sectors. How can you draw younger people to a traditional field such as civil engineering? I’m delighted to make use of my podcast as a promotional tool for our area. The idea is to create a buzz surrounding construction to make it clear to young people that it has plenty to provide. I want to get the tools I’m using out of my brain into the hands of the upcoming generation. In general, I’m optimistic about the next few years.
What motivated you to create the podcast? What is the goal of The Construction Engineering Show?
I’m a writer, and I enjoy teaching, which was the beginning of my writing. I saw podcasts beginning to gain momentum in the year 2016 and was a frequent user. Then I thought, “maybe I can do this,” and in 2020, I decided to try it out. It has been a learning process, but it has helped me improve my communication and is also enjoyable and rewarding.
It’s wonderful to hear an audience member tell me, “I heard this subject on your podcast and it really helped,” or “I used this method you talked about.” The primary objective is to make the information available to as many people in the business as they can. If someone can benefit from the advice to boost their professional life, then I’ve achieved my objective.
What are your suggestions for engineers in the profession who feel overwhelmed and under-worked?
I’ve had a moment in my professional life when I was exhausted from completing project after project. Nowadays, particularly with working at home, it can be effortless to work late into the evening or even during weekends to complete the deliverable. What are the best ways to know when it is time to disconnect? The most dangerous thing that could occur is that we lose those who are truly enjoying it; however, the work is too overwhelming.