At the American Wood Council, our engineers develop state-of-the-art engineering data, technology, and standards for wood products to assure their safe and efficient design. They are also very involved in our work with building and fire codes, providing the technical background and research oversight that supports our efforts to ensure U.S. building codes allow the greatest appropriate use of wood products.
May is the International Code Council’s Building Safety Month and AWC is a proud sponsor of week one, with the theme “Mentoring the Next Generation of Building Professionals.” Below, two of AWC’s engineers, Director of Education Michelle Kam-Biron and Project Engineer Lori Koch, and Northeast Regional Manager Matt Hunter explain why they pursued careers in the building industry.
What drew you to the building industry as a career?
Michelle: While I wasn’t drawn as much to general “engineering,” I was really excited by the specific specialty of structural engineering because it combined creativity of architecture and the logic and analysis of mathematics. To be able to create, analyze, and see the final results of my efforts in a building that would be constructed and last for many years was great. Additionally, I saw it as an opportunity to make an impact by contributing toward a safe built environment for the general public.
Lori: My junior year in high school I attended a presentation where some practicing engineers talked to us about what engineering was and what engineers do – my take-away was that engineers get to use a wide skill set to solve unique problems. I liked that it incorporated pretty much every subject I studied in school – math and science obviously are a big part of engineering, but the communication skills you learn in English and other writing-oriented courses is invaluable to a successful engineer.
Matt: I got hooked at age 15, when I did my buddy a favor by filling in for him to build a large, two story garage. I ended up working construction the whole summer, finishing the garage. The following year work on the house began and I worked on everything from footings, foundation walls, framing, fire stopping, finish flooring, paneling, and trim. After earning my bachelor’s degree in environmental design, a form of sustainable landscape architecture, I worked in landscape construction as a designer/draftsman for large commercial land development projects and became a building code official and inspector in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania before joining AWC.
How does your work make a difference?
Michelle: My work as a practicing structural engineer allowed me to create structures that provide a safe built environment for the general public, thereby protecting lives. Unfortunately I don’t think the general public really sees the impact that structural engineers have until there’s a structural failure. For my current job, I am educating other engineers and providing tools that will enable design professionals in the United States as well as other parts of the world to understand proper building codes and standards so that they can correctly design wood buildings.
Lori: I have a somewhat unique job compared to other structural engineers in that I don’t actively do structural design. Instead, like Michelle, I currently educate other engineers about how to design safe, code-compliant structures made from wood products. I make a difference every day by helping designers understand wood structural design standards, and this helps them design safer, more efficient buildings.
Matt: As part of the Codes and Standards group of AWC, I have 13 states and the District of Columbia, from Virginia to Maine as my territory. I get to travel to each of these states to meet and educate fire and building code officials who protect and serve the public every day as part of their jobs. I provide assistance to these public officials about wood and wood products, how they are used in the building, fire safety, and fire prevention codes, and keep them up-to-date on the latest technological breakthroughs regarding wood construction. I listen to their concerns and provide answers regarding any wood specific issues they may have. We work together to make the built environment a safer and more enjoyable place to live.
What should young people know about the building industry?
Michelle: Structural engineering as a profession can be challenging but, at the same time, it can be very rewarding to have a job that involves creativity, teamwork, problem solving, innovation, and protecting lives. How cool is that?
As a side note, those considering the profession should know that they are only limited by the depth of their own imaginations and their own mindset. I would encourage young engineers to not only concentrate on their job but to branch beyond the workplace and get involved with a professional organization. Also, do not be afraid to speak up, to seek advice from others, and to be aware that the relationships one creates throughout a career are very important to career growth.
Lori: Being an engineer doesn’t mean having to solve every problem by yourself. Most engineers work in teams, sometimes comprised of other engineers, sometimes made up of professionals from different disciplines. Everyone brings something unique to the table. Being part of a diverse team is one of the best things engineers can have early in their careers, because the problem is then approached from different angles which can help lead to innovative solutions.
Matt: If you put your mind to it, you can do anything! If you are interested in construction, architecture, engineering, building science, or any other related field, don't be intimidated. Knowledge leads to familiarity, which leads to mastery of a subject. Interestingly, the first Master Code Professional I ever met was a mother of three, who also happened to be an accomplished and highly respected professional engineer in Pennsylvania. Try and get as much practical work experience under your belt as you can. Don't be afraid to ask questions! Join your student chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Civil Engineers, or your state building code official organization. Many of these organizations offer outstanding student scholarship opportunities which may assist you in reaching some of your educational goals. Don't worry about making mistakes, but if you do make one, own it, and take responsibility for your actions. Strive to become a valued member of your organization’s team. Teamwork is an essential part of succeeding and getting ahead in this outstanding career field.
We want to inspire future engineers to see they too can change the world, as AWC tries to do every day, by making our built environment safe.