On the work front

I realize I haven't really written about work at all, what it is that I do, what projects I'm working on. Sometimes it's hard for me to even put my job description into words, which hardly makes sense because I spend about 75% of my time writing reports. Speaking of not making sense, not sure how I got a writing profession out of an engineering degree. Still trying to figure that one out.

I work for a multi-disciplinary engineering consulting firm. My group specializes in environmental infrastructure (water/sewer supply and treatment). I don't do much of that, mostly I do water resources (storm drainage, hydrology, floodplain assessments). It's some computer modeling, some AutoCAD, some GIS, and a LOT of report writing.

This week I'm writing a feasibility report on water and sewer supply alternatives for a proposed prison expansion job and when that's not completely getting hacked by corporate politics, I'm writing a water supply assessment for a community that conveys its entire water source for 50,000 people in a 150-year old flume. Should it get taken out by accident, supplies could potentially run out for the community within a week. Pretty scary... but again, local govt politics keeping any back-up supplies from getting constructed to prevent that from happening. So I think it's all pretty interesting, how you can't really get away from politics no matter what side of the job you're on.

Lately I've been really discouraged to see the turnover rate in our industry. Since civil/environmental engineering is heavily dependent on development, once that slows, you'd better either work for a big firm that can move you around, or have a beefy resume to fall back on. In my case, my company is large but office is fairly small and my department tiny. I was trained by someone who made me as self-sufficient as possible, and I'm convinced that's the only reason I still have a job. Very few engineers can work for several depts at one time with little supervision. Oh, and if all else fails, I can write a damn good report.

I suppose my advice to others in this industry is to be adaptable, take initiative to keep yourself indispensible whether that's by getting on a variety of projects (however unexciting) and getting as many trainings, certifications, etc. to stay ahead of the curve. Our education doesn't stop after college, there's even tons to learn from the people who got to their positions w/out a degree but w/ experience alone. It's those people that have all the job security.

I really hope all my dear friends who have fallen victim to the rise and fall of the economy and our industry find that perfect job really soon. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed and my eyes out for hiring opportunities!