Just about a month into the position, I was informed that the person I had replaced was returning to the firm.  He came back in early June after 10 months.  I felt vulnerable because my employment began at the end of February,  I thought this could be a problem but resolved to make the best of it.  That is until he complained about my experience as every turn.  I simply was not trained in the bridge design programs of this firm (and apparently the offices of all the other consultants doing SCDOT work).  So, management cut their losses and once again I became a free agent in November.

Turns out I was unemployed six months and another half your of salary.  It was not a situation that I could not afford to be in for long, particularly as the firm did not provide opportunities for PDHs in-house.  And the engineering society the firm associated with did not know I was on staff until I had already scheduled an afternoon of continuing education.  Even while I was unemployed, I did not spend much money on PDHs because I was uncertain I would be offered another professional engineering position. 

That short experience was disappointing, but an even shorter term with a small local firm was even more discouraging.  In late April 2019, after about two months of vacillating by a consultant, I went to work as an independent contractor to rate a single bridge for a state client.  I quickly learned this firm was not schooled or experienced in transportation design work.  Over the course of nearly four weeks for my efforts I was paid exactly nothing.  I learned about and was misled by this small  local firm. Originally it was a large firm that had struggled and became a small local firm. 

Once again this small local consulting firm had no interest in providing an opportunity to obtain continuing education to maintain my professional engineer license. 

I chose to leave and successfully became a permanent employee with full compensation.  My employer is a consultant providing contractors for a large project in Georgia.  

Reflecting back on my 2017 article, you may remember that my Georgia PE was waiting for such an opportunity. 

In light of my one page contract with the small local firm which spent more ink on how either party could terminate the agreement immediately, I knew the bird in hand was not worth the potential on a huge project.  The conditions were right to move on.  I had seen how they refused to protect their investment, and so I moved on. 

But now the shoe remains on the other foot for PDHs.  My employer is based in Ohio, my division headquarters is in Tulsa, and my work does not require my PE stamp.  So, as you can imagine, I am researching PDHs myself and it is even more important to keep track of them.  The folder of PDH certificates is full and with the carryovers, I have this cycle of license renewals covered.  However, I won't have any PDH carryovers.  I am now on a search mission to locate a professional engineering society which offers continuing education at their meetings.  That is if I keep my licenses. 

I am now a review engineer and project planner sending out building projects to outside consultants.  But, I've learned a great deal about buildings and even more politics than I was ever exposed to before.  It has been a lot of fun applying my plan review skills of bridge design to buildings design.  The buildings are so much taller and the specifications are much more involved.  It is simply a matter of using the same skills and the other side of my brain.  And, I get to interact with MEP engineers, architects, landscape architects and a whole new set of criteria for contracting and materials. 

Or is it?  After all, it is still engineering .  Actually I am now even more grateful for my earlier 3 year experience engineering large recreational venues in New York City. 

 

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Lexi@AECredentialing.com

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