To celebrate World Engineering Day, we asked Woolpert engineers to share their insights with the next generation of engineering pros. In this Q&A, our team offers their best advice for students and emerging professionals, highlighting the skills, tools, and technologies shaping the future of the industry.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to students or young engineering professionals?
“Perseverance, endurance, and self-motivation are more important than perfection.”
– Melissa Miller, Engineering Project Manager
“You can go a long way with a bad assumption. Ask clarifying questions!”
– James Overton, GISP, Geospatial Project Manager
“Learn to communicate, not just calculate. Great engineers connect technical solutions to real community needs.”
– Mark Tomczyk, PE, LEED GA, Engineering Program Director
“Make friends with your professors – they may become a client one day.”
– Amanda Douglas, PE, Engineering Project Manager
“Master your craft but learn the business behind the project. Technical skills get you hired; client trust and value build your career.”
– Kevin Scherr, Senior Engineering Project Manager
“Diversify your skills, ask questions, and always try to solve the problem before you ask for help.”
– Matt Gilbreath, PE, Senior Engineering Project Manager
“Don’t limit yourself to “traditional” engineering. Take business and psychology courses. Get involved in the business and operation side as well.”
– Jay Boltz, PE, National Transportation Discipline Leader
“Take extra time outside of work each week to improve your skills by studying codes, design guides, etc. to make yourself invaluable to your firm.”
– Michael Avellano, PE, SE, PMP, Engineering Program Director
“If you wish to improve at school or work, don’t be afraid to look foolish. Ask questions!”
– Dustin Vousden, PE, SI, CPESC, Senior Engineering Project Manager
“Don’t give up! Seeing your designs come to life is immensely rewarding and worth it.”
– Danielle Tabb, PE, Engineering Project Manager
“Get your PE as soon as possible, regardless of your engineering discipline. Civil engineers should take at least one survey class.”
– James Geisbush, Ph.D., PE, BC.PLW, F. ASCE, Large Diameter Pipeline Technical Lead
What emerging skills or tools would you encourage engineering students to learn early?
“Learn enough software coding/modeling to understand how your computer-based tools work and when they are giving you a not-quite-correct answer.”
– Danielle Meggyesy, MS, PE, Engineering Project Manager
“Good old fashioned interpersonal communication.”
– Tom Hart, PE, Senior Engineering Project Manager
“Taking a basic GIS class in college will open doors to familiarizing yourself with many public-facing tools and utilizing data in projects.”
– David DiCesare, PE, Senior Engineering Project Manager
“Soft skills, because that is often what isn’t taught in school.”
– Tyson James, PE, CFM, IM Program Director
“Stay abreast of technology, but communication skills (oral and written) will ALWAYS be important.”
– Tom Creasey, Ph.D., PE, Engineering Program Director
“AI, but learn how to accurately and efficiently prompt it, and certainly learn how to interpret its answers.”
– James Geisbush, Ph.D., PE, BC.PLW, F. ASCE, Large Diameter Pipeline Technical Lead
“CAD, CAD, CAD! Any and all programs you can get access to.”
– Dale Ashley, Engineering Designer
“Go to a construction site to observe how modeling/plans are applied in the real world and what changes. Also, any software related to your field.”
– Nathan Wilson, PE, PMP, CFM, ENV SP, Engineering Team Leader
“CAD. It will be used in some shape or form in civil engineering. You will be more efficient and valuable to your team if you know general tools.”
– Michelle Huelsman, Engineer in Training
“AI tools.”
– Uttam Karmaker, PE, ENV SP, Senior Engineering Project Manager
“For site civil, learn how site grading affects stormwater management. It’s a skill that saves time, money, effort, and makes for better designed sites.”
– Wendy Carr, Engineering Designer
“GIS, data analytics, hydraulic modeling, and climate resilience planning. Future projects will demand system-level thinking.”
– Mark Tomczyk, PE, LEED GA, Engineering Program Director
“Learn AI tools, data visualization, and financial literacy early. Engineers who understand business and communicate well will typically advance the fastest.”
– Kevin Scherr, Senior Engineering Project Manager
“The latest MiDAS or STAAD version, spreadsheet applications, and how to apply AI to your day-to-day.”
– Michael Avellano, PE, SE, PMP, Engineering Program Director
Favorite tech or tool you get to use in your role?
“Airport radio.”
– Tom Hart, PE | Senior Engineering Project Manager
“ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro.”
– David DiCesare, PE | Senior Engineering Project Manager
“Python.”
– Tyson James, PE, CFM | IM Program Director
“3D modeling technology.”
– Dustin Vousden, PE, SI, CPESC | Senior Engineering Project Manager
“Computer traffic simulation.”
– Tom Creasey, Ph.D., P.E. | Engineering Program Director
“Bentley OpenRoads Designer and AutoCAD Civil 3D.”
– Dale Ashley, Engineering Designer
“Bluebeam Revu. It makes plan review collaborative, efficient, and far more precise than traditional redlines.”
– Kevin Scherr, Senior Engineering Project Manager