Faced with a number of growing challenges, engineers are on the front lines of many of today’s fights, constantly working to make the world a better, and safer place. Several years ago, during Engineers Week 2017, we shined a spotlight on three new team members at Snyder & Associates to share their insights and aspirations about the profession. As the 2023 EWeek festivities get underway, we thought we’d check in with these young professionals to catch up on their progress, achievements, and how they see the engineering profession evolving.
Thinking about this year’s theme of “Creating the Future,” how do you see your profession changing in the coming years?
As a traffic engineer, autonomous and connected vehicles will greatly affect the design of traffic control infrastructure. Other emerging and improving technologies such as traffic signal performance measures and cell phone travel time data will allow for better, more data-driven recommendations and decisions. — Andrew Houchin, P.E.
As cities continue to grow and as we experience more catastrophic environmental events, we’re going to see big changes in our design work to become more sustainable. We’re starting to see that now with the implementation of Capital Crossroads in the Des Moines metro. — Lorena Wasion, EI
The major change to come out of 2020 is the work environment of our profession shifting to be able to be done more remotely. I think aspects of that will carry into the future and provide more flexibility in the profession. — Kyle Sokulski, P.E.
How are things coming along with the goals you mentioned in the previous article from 2017? Have your goals changed after a number of years in the profession?
I obtained my Iowa PE license at the end of 2019, but haven’t made plans to obtain my professional traffic operations engineer license, yet. I have enjoyed the experience I have gained as both an EI and PE over the past several years, and my current goal is to continue to gain experience with a variety of projects including furthering my experience with project manager responsibilities and duties. — Andrew Houchin, P.E.
My goal back in 2017 was to get my PE license. I’m still working on that and plan to take the exam this year. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by engineers and LAs with years of experience that provide mentorship. My long-term goal is to provide that same helping hand for the upcoming EIs. — Lorena Wasion, EI
The major goal I mentioned in 2017 was to obtain my PE. In January 2021, I finally achieved the required four years of experience and am scheduled to take the test in April. I am focusing on that now more than ever. Beyond that, I would like to expand my knowledge and continue to take on new and different projects that come up. — Kyle Sokulski, P.E.
Now that you’re seasoned professionals, what has surprised you the most about the engineering field?
The most surprising thing for me has been how every project continues to teach me new things, whether it is something technical, something related to project management, or something to help the public and clients better understand design elements. — Andrew Houchin, P.E.
What surprised me the most is how much more I would learn in my career. Even after four years, I continue to grow and develop new skills as each site/project is never the same. — Lorena Wasion, EI
I think what has surprised me most is that I am constantly learning. I had this idea that by a certain point, how much different or new can a project be? Well, it seems like as soon as you think you have a good handle on everything in a certain field, a new project comes along with something completely new. Or new regulations are passed in a client community and that’s always keeping me on my toes. — Kyle Sokulski, P.E.
