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(Describer) Beside four different-size different-color circles connected by lines, title: Career Connections.
(Describer) Title: Civil Engineer.
My name is Justin Siegrist.
I'm a civil engineer with
a company called Wade Trim.
I'm part of the water resources
market segment,
and I typically work
on projects
that consist of water,
wastewater,
and storm water management.
Being in H&H specialization
means that I typically provide
technical engineering
and analysis for the hydrologic
and hydraulic aspects
of those projects
that I work on.
As it relates
to my H&H specialization,
means I typically work
on developing
model representations
of sewer and river systems.
By developing these models
of these systems,
we can identify
problematic areas
that aren't working
as intended
and then develop solutions
for those problems.
(Describer) He works at a computer.
We can also model
those solutions
and predict how well
those designs will work
and alleviate those problems.
(Describer) He shows a diagram on the computer.
For model calibration,
what we have here
is a representation
of a sewer system.
(Describer) He switches to a graph.
We'll put in the pipes
that are out in
the physical world
as well as "subcatchments,"
and these represent
the land surface out there.
Typically, when I start working
on a new project,
I begin with reading the scope
of work for that project.
The scope of work provides me
with an understanding
of what the project is
and the work we plan to do.
Being a civil engineer,
not just an H&H engineer,
gives me the background
to be able to work with
civil engineers
of many different disciplines.
(Describer) Several gather at a site outside.
For example, I'll also work
with transportation engineers
or structural engineers
or geotechnical engineers.
I grew up on a farm and worked
construction in the summers.
So the idea of being able
to work outside part-time
was initially
really appealing to me.
So I went into
civil engineering,
and as I got into my studies,
I realized there was more
to civil engineering,
and hydrology and hydraulics
really piqued my interest.
So, that sort of started
changing what I was
interested in,
and then one summer,
I had an internship
with an engineering
consulting firm,
and that was when I knew that
I found what I wanted to do.
My education and my skill set
helps me in my job daily
because, as is true
with any profession,
you have to be self-motivated,
organized,
and be able to manage
your time well.
My degree provided me
with a basic understanding,
a solid understanding
of the fundamentals
of the engineering concepts
that I apply every single day.
Another benefit
to my engineering degree
is what I call
"brain training,"
in that it taught me
to think abstractly
and taught me
how to solve problems,
and that's what
any engineering degree is about,
is teaching you
how to solve problems.
I also, as part
of my continuing education,
receive a lot
of formal training.
(Describer) He moves a 3D model on a computer.
I get to attend workshops
to learn about
new engineering concepts
as well as new modeling
and design software.
It's exciting
to attend these workshops
because I'm learning
about software
that's on the cutting edge
of my profession.
(Describer) He moves a model of a large room.
For someone who is interested
in pursuing a career
in civil engineering,
in high school,
you should definitely take
some calculus and physics,
as that's going to help you out
a lot in college,
as well as writing courses,
because that will help you
in college and in your career.
A civil engineer
does a lot of writing.
What I like most about my job
is the variety of projects
that I work on,
and it's always
in a different city.
I've worked on projects
in not only Cincinnati,
but Detroit, Indianapolis,
Cleveland, Pittsburgh,
and St. Louis, to name a few.
I also get to coordinate work
with subconsultants
and conduct
field investigations.
The same thing that I enjoy
the most about my job
also provides
the most challenges.
Working on several different
projects in different cities
requires you to figure out a way
to meet those deadlines.
Also, you have
to manage expectations
for the people
you're working with
and the people
you're working for.
What I hope to achieve
through my work
is to be able say that
I helped improve the community
and its
surrounding environment.
That could be
something as simple
as replacing a leaky sewer
or designing
and helping to construct
a large underground
storage tunnel.
Anywhere along that spectrum
is fine with me,
just so long as I know
that I've taken advantage
of every opportunity possible
to get as far along
on that spectrum as I could.
And I want to inspire
younger engineers
to do the same
so that they can achieve
the same fulfillment
in their careers
that I've had in mine so far.
Funding to purchase and make
this educational production
(Describer) Titles:
For more information, visit OhioMeansJobs.com.
CET, Think TV, Public Media Connect.
Copyright 2015.
Funding to purchase and make this educational program accessible was provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Contact the Department of Education by telephone at 1-800-USA-LEARN, or online at www.ed.gov.
accessible was provided by the
U.S. Department of Education.
PH:1-800-USA-LEARN (V)
or WEB: www.ed.gov.
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