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How you ended up here: Shortly before graduation, I interviewed with as many structural engineering firms as I 
could, including several firms specializing in the structural design of brand new buildings. I wasn’t aware that a field specializing in failure analysis, damage assessment and repair design was even an option until I interviewed with WJE. During my interview, I spoke with about six different people, and without fail, the first question each person asked me was, “Are you afraid of heights?” I cautiously replied, “No,” as I had no idea why they’d ask such a question. Little did I know I’d get to hang off the edge of existing buildings. Shortly after the interview, I was convinced that this was the field for me, and luckily, they extended me a job offer. I’ve been here ever since.
How long you’ve been at it: Roughly four and a half years.
Who you answer to: At any given time, I am probably working on a half-dozen projects with a half-dozen senior staff project managers, and as a result, I answer to a half-dozen people. Luckily, I like the people I work with. Although I think I drive my officemate nuts.
Hours your boss expects you to be at work: A typical day is usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but there is a lot of flexibility in that schedule. Sometimes the job requires me to work nights, and sometimes it requires working well into the night. When the Cubs are in town, this schedule becomes significantly more flexible. Did I say that out loud?
Job reputation: In general, a structural engineer is responsible for designing buildings and bridges that can safely allow people to use them. Sometimes, existing structures begin to deteriorate or were designed incorrectly. These are the reasons my field of work exists. Structural engineers in this field of work figure out why there was a failure in the first place, and then also how to safely repair it.
Breakdown of what people anticipate from you: Sometimes I don’t even know what I’ll be doing on a day-to-day basis because emergencies occasionally happen, but it’s fairly common for me to run structural calculations, perform structural tests in our laboratory, write reports or travel to a job site for some hands-on investigation.
What your friends assume you do: Some of my friends think I’m a window washer. Others think that I’m the solution to their squeaky floor.
Important projects: Recently, I got the opportunity to travel to the Gulf Coast for a wide variety of hurricane-related damage assessment. In addition, I was part of the team responsible for the restoration of the rooftop cornice on the historic Marquette Building in downtown Chicago. I also just recently successfully reattached my front license plate.
Best perk: I get some views of the city that not many people get to see. Also, the structural tests to failure are pretty fun. It’s not often you find a job that pays you to break stuff.
Where can you go from here: The higher I get in my company, the more I’ll be able to manage my own projects where the responsibility of
providing safe repairs rests on my own shoulders. I also will probably be called upon more to act as an expert witness. Oftentimes in failure analysis, there is a lawsuit. Consequently, we will be hired to determine the cause of the failure and provide our opinion in testimony.
What might you change if given the chance: No offense to the three gentlemen who started this firm, but the company name is really hard to understand when talking to clients. The most common responses when I say who I work for is undoubtedly “Huh?” or “Can you repeat that, please?” Usually I give up after the second time and just say WJE.
Why you have a smile when you come to work: My job is essentially FBI or CSI for the structural engineer. I get to problem-solve all day.
Advice for the field: Jump in feet first. Especially early on, you get a lot of on-the-job training. Think of it as getting paid to learn.