November 16, 2015

The Early Years – Successfully Transitioning from College to the

Workforce

2015 Annual Conference Raleigh, NC

Eric Smith – CDM Smith

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Agenda

Introduction Who Am I? Why This Topic?

Building a Solid Foundation – Four Phases Assessment Planning Preparation Implementation

Recap Questions

INTRODUCTION

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Who Am I?

Eric Smith Project Engineer at CDM Smith

Graduated from University of Central Florida – 2010 B.S. Civil Engineering B.S. Environmental Engineering

Work Experience Groundwater remediation work with small firm in FL (1 year) 3.5 total years with CDM Smith

1 year in FL 2.5 years in NC

Work Focus Water/wastewater with emphasis in hydraulics and pumping

Young professional

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Why This Topic?

Transitioning to the workforce can be tricky waters to navigate Lots of unknowns Job market is ever-changing

Transition is filled with change Trade summer vacation for Paid Time Off Trade 15 credit hour semesters for 40+ hour work weeks Trade loan accumulation for loan payment plans Trade semester exams for client deliverables Trade grades for end of year appraisals Mistakes in college = bad grade…Mistakes in work = $

Principles discussed here are applicable to all stages of your career

Key To Making a Successful Transition – Building a Solid Foundation

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Building A Solid Foundation

Early success is critical to a long and healthy career Average Age at Graduation:

Bachelors – 22 to 24 years old Masters – 24 to 26 years old

Retirement Age: 65 to 67 years old

39 to 45 year career! Anything worth building needs a solid foundation

Relatively small investment to ensure the rest of the building will last

Opinion – Foundation is built during the first 5 years in the industry

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Building A Solid Foundation

Plenty of real-world examples on the importance of building a solid foundation. House School Pump Station Treatment Plant Shopping Mall Etc.

Four phases of building a solid foundation Assessment Planning Preparation Implementation

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Phase I – Assessment

Pump Station Foundation: Site Assessment Geotechnical Investigation Research

Career Foundation: Assess where you are

To get where you are going…you have to know where you are starting

Know the job market/industry Know your strengths and areas of growth

potential Set realistic expectations

Be a lifelong learner Embrace all tasks that come your way…even the

menial ones Be adaptable

Getting a Handle on the Situation

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Phase II – Planning

Pump Station Foundation: Determine client needs Perform survey Develop site plans Submit permits Create design documents for bidding

Career Foundation: Identify a mentor Set short-term and long-term goals

Professionally Personally

Find ways to utilize your skills

Looking Ahead at What Could be

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Phase III – Preparation

Pump Station Foundation: Clear and grub site Site grading Excavate as required

Career Foundation: Set a trajectory to achieve short

and long term goals Join professional organizations and

network Teamwork makes the dream work

Get to know your co-workers Develop a positive reputation

Setting a Solid Course

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Phase IV – Implementation

Pump Station Foundation: Construct foundation Build the pump station Develop an operations and

maintenance plan

Career Foundation: Get outside of your comfort zone

and say “Yes!” Ask to go to client meetings Try to get out to construction sites Find a healthy work/life balance Recognize that hard work pays off Remember…first things first

Putting into Practice

Recap

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SummaryBuilding a solid foundation is the key

to successfully transitioning from college to the workforce

Focus on the four phases of building a strong foundation Assessment – “Getting a handle on

the situation” Planning – “Looking ahead to what

could be” Preparation – “Setting a solid

course” Implementation – “Putting into

practice”

Questions?