Putting it all together

Putting it all together

I am not an engineer by study nor trade, but I have apprenticed under masters of the trade until it has become part of me.  

My first job out of college had the title, Field Engineer.  I was given a briefcase with protractors, an HP calculator and a stack of engineering manuals.  Sink or swim.  17 years in the Oilfield taught a whole new way of thinking, how to think and work like an engineer.

When I started off in construction back in 2017, I once again sought a master.  I apprenticed under the guidance of an incredible old school engineer, my uncle.  He taught me to use a scale and how to draw things in a way that calculations can be made from them.  I learned that if you are going to draw something, it has to be drawn in a way that it can be built.  

For 2 years I apprenticed.  He would come out to my jobs and check my work, it was the coolest experience, I learned so much.

This week I went to look at a project that was modifying an existing structure, but there were no plans.  So, I created plans.  I drew elevations to send to my steel fabricator, I drew elevations to verify door positions, I drew elevations to calculate the amount of steel to use.  This week I worked like an engineer, an old school engineer with pen, paper and a HP calculator. 

When I met up with the firm I am partnering with on this project to discuss the scope, I was ready.  We looked at plans, analyzed my pricing model, and came up with a strategy to bid.  This week, I was in the zone.  

It is amazing what we are capable of doing when we remove the shackles of our minds.  It is amazing when we use our creativity to solve real problems.  At one point early in my career I felt like an imposter, a business major paying engineer.  Today I see myself for what I truly am, a Business Man, I build things.  

With all of the stress that is in the environment these days, have courage and persist.