It isn’t easy to escape the pressure to “climb the ladder.”
This piece of advice is often given to individuals starting their career. Get a job, excel in the position, get promoted, rinse and repeat until you’ve reached a high-level role. But that pathway doesn’t fit everyone’s journey.
Although sticking with one company can be great for some, others may need to take a different approach to reach their career goals. Some might choose to take on a position at another organization, explore new projects outside their typical area of expertise, or boost their skills with classes instead.
During last month’s Thursdays@3 discussion, three civil engineers came together to share their strategies for career advancement. Below is their advice for individuals taking a nontraditional career path.
Rosanna La Plante, P.E., F.ASCE
Engineering and Environmental Services Division Manager at WSSC Water; Columbia, MD
“I have found that for a lot of people I have worked with and mentored, the biggest obstacle in advancing is thinking too narrowly. They have a very set path they understand: if I'm in this position, the next step is to go to this position and then to this position. But sometimes, to advance, you may have to take a sidestep and come back.
“I spent a long time in solid waste engineering, and I loved solid waste engineering work. But I reached a point in the company where there was no opportunity for me to advance. The positions just weren't there, so I made the decision at that point to make a change.
“There aren't a lot of companies out there that specialize in solid waste engineering. So I made a career change and went into stormwater management. As part of my solid waste work, I was designing ponds and stormwater management facilities, so I had the experience and was able to apply that to a different job. That’s how I ended up getting into management.”
Christopher Medora, P.E., ENV SP, M.ASCE
Traffic Engineer at AECOM; Philadelphia
“In my previous job, I reached a point where there were limited options for me to grow. The team was very experienced and there were limited ways for me to enter a more senior role. Where I am now, I've been fortunate enough to have flexibility in how I can grow.
“In my current role, I was recently presented with the options of managing people, managing projects, taking on a technical leadership role, and developing client relations skills and being involved in the proposal and business development side. I’m actively trying my hand at all four of these career paths to see what I’d like to ultimately choose, and I’m extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to dabble in each before I commit to one or two of them.
“Being able to find that right fit, that right direction, can be tied into the company you are with or the type of work that you do, but it could also be directly related to the people that you're working with. You have to be able to see what you want to do for yourself.”
Sophie Lipomanis, A.M.ASCE
Senior Associate at Capital Project Management Inc; New York
“One time, I had a raise that I was immensely disappointed with, but I took a step back. The hardest thing that I was able to do – and what benefited me the most – was that I changed my perspective to see it as more of a learning opportunity that keeps you motivated.
“You're not always going to get a good job. Even when you go the extra mile, you might not get the promotion you want. But stay true to your goals. If your goal is to be an expert, or if your goal is to be the project manager or to be the licensed P.E. at the head of a team, just keep aligning your smaller objectives to get to that opportunity and it will come.
“Advocate for yourself and be open about your professional goals. While things might take time – whether it's a week, a year, or even longer – trust that your patience and perseverance will pay off. If challenges arise, you may face tough decisions, but by maintaining a positive and constructive perspective, you’ll strengthen your resilience and work ethic. Being a team player through it all will ultimately benefit your career and help you grow in ways that will set you up for long-term success.”
You can now register for April’s Thursdays@3 session on the intersection of civil engineering and volunteering.
