2012 RMSAWWA/RMWEA Joint Student Conference

What is a Water Resources Engineer?

2012 Joint Student Conference

University of Colorado at Boulder

Zachary B. Collins, PE, LEED AP BD+C, CDT

Presentation Topics

Who Am I? What is Engineering? What is Water Resources

Engineering? Typical Job Duties Completed Projects Professional Development What is Free Time? Some Career Advice? Conclusions and Questions

“Love knows no boundaries, while hate is defined by boundaries.”

Who am I?

Pre-History Education Professional Credentials Experience Networking Volunteering Business Owner More Online: About.Me/CollinsAE

“There is no such thing as bad knowledge, only knowledge used badly.”

Military Civil Structural Mechanical Chemical Electrical Aerospace Environmental Water Resources

What is Engineering?

“Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems readily available, we will create our own problems to solve.”

– Scott Adams, The Dilbert Principle

What is Water Resources?

Hydrology

Hydraulics

Hydrogeology

Planning

Flood Control

GIS

Water Law

Environmental Engineering

Water Treatment & Distribution

Wastewater Collection & Treatment

“Nothing is softer and more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” – Lao Tzu

Typical Job Duties

“Without wisdom, knowledge has no meaning. Without knowledge, wisdom has no merit.”

ProjectManagement

Subdivision& Development

Review

EngineeringManagement

Life Cycle Analysis

ConstructionManagement& Inspection

Contract Procurement& Administration

Consruction Plans,Reports,

& Specifications

Engineering Design& Analysis

Water ResourcesEngineer

District Mapping

GIS System

Sewer Mains

Pumping Stations

Groundwater Wells

Drainage Improvements

Patio Covers

Graphic Design

Professional Development

Volunteering– RMSAWWA, RMWEA, USGBC, CSI, Cool Science, RMFI, etc.

Continuing Education– More School ?!, Cerficate Programs, Workshops,TU’s, etc.

Networking– Happy Hours, Conferences, Seminars, Lunch-N-Learns

Community Involvement– Help others and they will help you.

Social Media– Yes it can be useful to your Career, too!

Free Time?

Racing Mountaineering

Family Collins Architectural Engineering

“What we do for money defines what we produce, what we do in our free time defines who we are.”

Some Career Advice?

What’s Important?

It’s a New Business World

Change Careers!

Make a Plan of Action

Talk to People

Don’t Just be an Engineer

Find your Passion

Build Relationships

Be Interesting and Be Interested

Find a Good Leader

Never Stop Learning

Work for Win-Win-Win

“People do business with, and refer business to, people they know, like, and trust.” – Kevin Knebl

Special Thanks to:

Lea Alvarado

Alumni Career Counselor at CU Boulder

Dr. Barbara B. Lawton

Program Director at CU Engineering Management Program

2012 RMSAWWA/RMWEA Joint Student Conference

2012 Joint Student Conference

University of Colorado at Boulder

Zachary B. Collins, PE, LEED AP BD+C, CDT

Questions?