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Yes, I would also recommend visiting www.eng-tips.com to keep informed. I have picked up a bunch of insights here. My question was intended to get an idea of how you keep informed of *local* issues that affect your business. One thing this site does not have, to my understanding, are...

I agree with exploring the world beyond engineering. Throughout college, I worked as a volunteer at a crisis counseling center, offering an attentive ear to disturbed people. This experience is remembered and integrated into my work, as I field phone calls from emotional clients, contractors...

Do you find trade publications to be the most current source of news for your area? I scan ENR for material and labor prices and for word of an emerging trend, but it seems to me that anything I find in the publication is second-hand or old news. On the WSJ, although it is a great source of...

Engineers are busy people. Some of us are challenged to find time even to skim a newspaper, whether or not we are trying to catch up on local engineering issues. But I know, newspapers are not the only source of "news". I pick up some news of issues while working, nothing comprehensive. The...

Okay, I'll stick my neck out to the people of the developing world... all products that are "green" today eventually become "dirty" or life-threatening tomorrow. A strawbale house would seem fruitless if the last field of straw would have to be consumed in order to build it. I don't know...

I appreciate everyone weighing in on what makes development sustainable, or that any sustainable development is even possible. I admit, the wikipedia article makes sustainable development seem even more impossible, that I believe the article was written from a library of an elite university...

Thanks everyone for touching base on this "soft" topic of people management. As I am helping to create an environment where people of all levels and experiences enjoy giving their best to the cause and for the success of our company, your comments provide a valuable perspective on what's...

If you are looking for a job out of state, be careful to visit the place before you make your decision. Imagine moving from Kansas City to Southern California. The local culture, although similar in appearance, may be vastly different from the one you're in. If there were any doubt about the...

I agree, the most critical and "negative" bosses can seem intimidating, and some of them seem also content to have that image, less distractions for them, I guess. Following up on that, I had one boss who provided me only one piece of constructive advice. He said, "Never feel good about...

I like the example of agriculture as sustainable development. So what then is the suitable definition for "Sustainable Development"? I can think of a lot of examples of what I believe is sustainable development, which is any development that is built, operated, and maintained by humans. But...

With a lack of praise the norm, let me ask you this, are you happy about that? In my opinion, negative feedback is better than no feedback at all, but I would prefer a bit of both, positive, too. Indeed, I have been overwhelmed by the misery of a seemingly insurmountable number of minor...

I have to get this question out of my head: is sustainable development really a code word for "Environmentalism"? So what comes to your mind when you see the words "Sustainable Development"? Organic, perpetual motion machines that operate and repair themselves without expense? Living...

Subtitle: Am I really that bad, or is my skin too thin? In the realm of getting things done in the engineering industry, I have often heard or been told to assume everything is going fine until someone lets you know otherwise. In other words, engineering supervisors often take extra time to...

Like Dave, I wish I had had time to participate this year. There are more high schools than volunteers for presentations. One goal of E-week is to promote engineering to the people. Our local branch of ASCE organizes annual E-week presentations to twenty local high schools, plus or minus...

A few years ago, I volunteered to make a presentation to a local high school during E-week, and it was an excellent experience. Our ASCE Branch uses a slide show with photos, some from around the world and others of local civil projects. Generally, we try to let the kids begin to recognize...

Kenat, your post reminded that my boss just started letting me know whenever he is "thinking out loud". Whenever we discuss a project or goal, he tells me this. He senses my frustration after he's dictated several different paths that should be taken, each going to different sides of the...

Since my one-way commute is 40 miles through a heavily urbanized metropolis, living closer to work would reduce my stress and susceptibility for needless explosions of frustration, despite the inanity of some of what goes on at my workplace. The traffic alone is mind boggling. While the...

You might also know that there are also "minor" companies that develop relationships with overseas firms to draft and design for engineers in the USA and elsewhere. A local company here (100 +/- employees), one I used to work for, ships land development and flood control plans overseas for...