Why Field Assignments Are Essential for Civil Engineers' Career Growth

Key Concepts

• Field Assignments: Temporary relocation to a construction site for hands-on experience.
• Constructability: Designing with ease of construction and long-term maintenance in mind.
• Commissioning: Validating that installed systems operate appropriately.
• Progressive Design-Build: A project delivery method where the design and construction teams work collaboratively from the outset.
• Communication: Key to resolving issues and building relationships with contractors and design teams.
• PDM (Payment Per Diem): A lump sum payment for travel and expenses during a field assignment.
• MGD (Million Gallons per Day): A unit of measurement for water treatment plant capacity.
• RFI (Request for Information): A formal request from a contractor to the design team for clarification or additional information.
• Engineering Change Notice: A formal notification of a change to the design or specifications of a project.

Benefits of Field Assignments

• On-the-Job Experience: Direct observation of real construction progress.
• Improved Decision-Making: Understanding how designs are constructed and maintained.
• Enhanced Design Coordination: Identifying what's important for contractors to see on drawings.
• Long-Term Maintenance Considerations: Designing for accessibility and ease of maintenance.
• Understanding the Project Lifecycle: Seeing the project from design to implementation.
• Constructability Focus: Designing with ease of construction in mind.
• Communication Skills: Building relationships with contractors and design teams.

Challenges of Field Assignments

• Remote Living: Relocating to a construction site and maintaining two residences.
• Loneliness: Being away from family and friends for extended periods.
• Maintaining Two Residences: Managing expenses and logistics for two living situations.
• Project Variety: Working on a single project for an extended period can be overwhelming for some.
• Technical Challenges: Overcoming obstacles such as water supply limitations during commissioning.

Wichita Northwest Water Facility Project: A Case Study

• Scale: A $500 million mega-project, the largest infrastructure project in Wichita's history.
• Purpose: To replace an 80-year-old facility and provide water for 20% of Kansas.
• Capacity: 120 million gallons per day (MGD).
• Size: The filter building is as big as several football fields, with clarifiers having an inner diameter of 141 feet and pipes up to 96 inches in diameter.
• Mariah's Role: Lead process field engineer, coordinating with contractors, involved in commissioning and startup planning.
• Challenges: Obtaining enough water to test the plant due to drought conditions.
• Solution: Collaborating with the city to create a loop around the new facility and testing individual trains at lower flow rates.

Logistical Considerations for Field Assignments

• Transitioning Off Current Assignments: Transferring responsibilities to other team members.
• Re-Integration: Planning how to get back into the group upon return.
• Living Situation: Deciding on furnished vs. unfurnished accommodations.
• Home Maintenance: Arranging for yard maintenance or cleaning services.
• Compensation: Considering PDM and travel benefits.

Steps to Position Yourself for Field Assignments

• Technical Expertise: Focus on learning as much as possible in your technical specialty.
• Communication: Develop strong communication skills.
• Express Interest: Make it clear to supervisors and project managers that you're interested in fieldwork.
• Internal Interest Forms: Fill out internal interest forms for field assignments.
• Humility: Be open to learning from others on site.

Common Misconceptions About Field Work

• Always Outside: There's still a significant amount of office work involved.
• Working Alone: There's a lot of support available if you're willing to accept it.

Advice for Civil Engineers Considering Field Assignments

• Take Advantage of Opportunities: If you can swing it personally, take advantage of any field assignment that comes your way.
• Long-Term Impact: Field experience will position you to lead future design efforts and potentially move into the construction market.
• Communication is Key: "You can have the best idea but if you're not able to communicate it uh in a way that the contractor is receptive to that it's just a wasted idea."
• Be Humble: "Being humble and understanding that you don't you don't know everything and you're really like open to learning from those on site... is really important."

CE Hot Seat Segment

• Daily Rituals: Scheduling a walk during lunch and setting a reminder to leave work.
• Book Recommendation: Finish by John Auff, which emphasizes flexibility in accomplishing goals.
• Qualities of a Favorite Manager: Technical expertise and investment in staff.
• Career Advice: Explore different industries and phases of project delivery to find where you get the most fulfillment, then focus on developing your leadership and technical skills in that area.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Field assignments are invaluable for civil engineers, providing practical experience, improving design coordination, and fostering communication skills. While challenges such as remote living and project variety exist, the long-term benefits of field experience outweigh the difficulties. By focusing on technical expertise, communication, and a willingness to learn, civil engineers can position themselves for successful field assignments and accelerate their career growth. The Wichita Northwest Water Facility project serves as a compelling case study, highlighting the complexities and rewards of working on a large-scale infrastructure project. Ultimately, taking advantage of field assignments is a strategic move for civil engineers seeking to become well-rounded professionals and leaders in their field.