Structural Engineering MEng

I started at RDA as an intern in June 2017. It was my first job in the structural engineering world and thus, seemed like an uphill task. But with my passion for the subject and constant help by the amazing ex-wolverines at the company, I learned a lot in 2 months. I was offered a co-op for the Fall 2017 semester after the internship ended at the same firm. After graduating from UMich, I was promoted to Design Engineer- I position. Currently, I am working at RDA as a level II Design Engineer. I handle projects from start to finish which includes discussing the scope of projects with the clients, preparing service fee proposals, analysis and design of buildings, preparing construction documents, and construction administration which includes site visits and review of shop drawings and submittals. The best way to learn structural engineering is working on projects. I attribute my knowledge of engineering most to the variety of structures that I have had the pleasure to work on.

How does your Master’s degree differentiate you from others?

The best thing about the University of Michigan is the professors. A special shout out to Prof. Seymour Spence for teaching me Reliability of Structures and Performance-Based Seismic Engineering. These are the latest state-of-the-art design methodologies which not a lot of schools offer. Not just what was taught, but the way it was taught made a big impact on how I learned how to learn new things, which helps me even today as I take on new challenges as a working professional.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Do not miss Prof Spence’s class. It is one heck of an experience! Make the most of your time at the UMich. You have the best resources in the world at your disposal. Talk to your professors or an on-campus organization if you are facing issues regarding anything. And if you are like me who does not like being bothered by people walking around all the time at the Dude, there is a small cubical for study room in the mechanical GGB. I have pulled countless all-nighters there. Those who look for it would find it. 😉

I completed my M.Eng at Michigan immediately after my undergraduate coursework at Marquette. The Master of Engineering program allowed me to focus on engineering, while providing some flexibility to take courses outside of the College of Engineering, including a Real Estate Finance course through Ross. For three years, I worked at a small structural engineering firm (Baldridge & Associates Structural Engineering) of about 15-20 engineers, where we worked on large 40-50 story residential and hospitality projects in Hawaii and India while building a book of business in Chicago. Since it was a small firm, junior engineers were wearing multiple “hats” from day one, responsible for gravity and lateral system designs. Some of my favorite courses were Special Topics courses – one was taught by an industry professional and went through many common design areas for new, junior engineers, the other was an applied dynamics course that went into the design of different damping and base isolation systems. I used both courses on a day-to-day basis, the first more practically, the second to gain a deeper understanding of structural dynamics and how a lateral force resisting system is designed. Since working in engineering, I’ve transitioned to a consulting role in the San Francisco Bay Area. I currently work at KPMG LLP, a large accounting & professional services firm. Our group within KPMG assists owners of large capital projects and programs and provides advice on how to execute these capital projects efficiently while providing value to the broader organization. Our clients are generally large businesses that engage in construction activities; however, construction is not their primary business activity (hospital groups, utilities, tech companies, government agencies, etc.). Our advice spans from ensuring that organizations have the right team in place to oversee contracts and contractors, helping our clients implement better business practices, or providing market advice on utilizing up-to-date technology. 

How does your Master’s degree differentiate you from others?

A Master’s degree from Michigan has helped open doors for me that may not have been open before. A Michigan Master’s can help get anyone a first interview – after that, it will be up to you to show that you are a good fit for the job. My master’s degree, combined with a Professional Engineer license, helps me establish credibility early on in my client relationships. That credibility is your responsibility to maintain; it can be squandered if it is not followed up with quality work.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

At Michigan, I enjoyed going to football games, as well as helping set up the Bridges to Prosperity chapter. There are hundreds of student groups at Michigan and dozens within the College of Engineering. Try new things, and I hope that you can find rewarding pursuits outside of the classroom to broaden your Michigan experience.

I entered my bachelor’s degree without a clear idea of which civil engineering discipline I wanted to pursue. Through trying internships in a variety of civil engineering disciplines, I found I enjoyed working in the structural engineering field. After completing an MEng in structural engineering at the University of Michigan, I joined Walter P Moore as a graduate engineer in the diagnostics group. Structural analysis projects such as the course project in CEE 611 and design problems such as homework in CEE 514 helped prepare me for the real-world analysis and design challenges I encounter as a Graduate Engineer at Walter P Moore.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

I really liked the selection of courses offered and the flexibility of the masters of engineering program. My favorite event is the ASCE Fall Career Fair. My advice to students is to complete as many internships as you can.

Following graduation, I started working at WJE, a firm that specializes in structural repair and diagnostics. A good part of this work focuses on restoring historic infrastructure, which means that I have the privilege of working on some exciting projects, including a few iconic buildings in the Chicago skyline. The work is dynamic and challenging, always requiring some engineering creativity. The most important thing I have learned since starting is that no two projects will be the same. Therefore, the best solution is to cultivate confidence and competent problem-solving skills. 

How does your Master’s degree differentiate you from others?

Having a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan is definitely the reason I have the job I love. It has opened doors that I didn’t even know existed. Most importantly, it has given me confidence in achieving my career goals.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Tackle your dreams. Never underestimate the power of a good education. Also never be afraid to reach out to those around you, professors or peers, for advice and support. Enjoy your time in grad school and GO BLUE!

After graduating from the University of Michigan, I accepted a job as a Graduate Structural Engineer at a firm called Arup in Chicago, IL where I worked for a year and 6 months. My time at Arup was beneficial in the development of my career. I was exposed to a few different projects that allowed me to further my knowledge in the structural engineering field. One of my major projects was a two-story research facility for Fermi Lab located in Batavia, IL. After leaving Arup, I joined WSP USA in Chicago, IL as an Assistant Structural Engineer. My time at WSP USA has been great so far. I have been involved in a few large-scale projects that have allowed me to further enhance my engineering skills. In particular, I’ve worked on a few high-rise buildings which has been my passion since I started my career. 

How does your Master’s degree differentiate you from others?

I believe my master’s degree from the University of Michigan aided me in starting my career with a large, well-known engineering consulting firm. Having a well-known, highly ranked school such as UofM on your resume can help you get an interview and secure a job. The engineering job market is competitive, and I believe my degree from UofM helped make me a competitive candidate. Additionally, everything I learned at UofM has helped me succeed in my career thus far. 

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Although I was only at UofM for one year, I greatly enjoyed my time there. My fellow classmates were awesome, and we made a lot of great memories together. My recommendation to students is to study hard because it will pay off. The information you learn in the classroom will be used throughout your career. I would also recommend joining clubs or other organizations as these are great ways to network with your classmates while also continuing your education. Forever GO BLUE!