Navigating Structural Engineering Careers: Insights from Rachel Jackson of Thornton Tomasetti

I know it has been a while since the last podcast came out. I have been taking a much needed break. We had a crazy summer with a new baby, tons of travel (including a month in Colombia), and starting a new job. Life has been crazy.

This interview is from back in March with Rachel Jackson from Thornton Tomasetti. We chatted at the AISC Steel Conference after she gave a wonderful presentation to a group of students. I hope you enjoy this conversation.

I wanted to also reflect on the great conversation we had and give you some insight on my takeaways.

The Value of Hands-On Experience

Rachel emphasized the critical role of internships in professional development. She stated talked about how while theoretical knowledge is essential, practical experience is where true learning occurs. Her internships, particularly at Thornton Tomasetti, were instrumental in deepening her understanding of the field and establishing a robust professional network.

This resonated strongly with my own experience. The transition from residential construction to bridge demolition has underscored the irreplaceable value of practical experience. Learning how to design a bridge can sometimes fall short of the actual design process. If you've been in the industry for any amount of time, I'm sure you've experienced the steep learning curve that comes with actually designing something, rather than just learning about how to design it.

Networking and Career Growth

Rachel highlighted the significance of professional connections. Rachel emphasized the importance of networking at events like the AISC conference. She explained that these gatherings provide excellent opportunities to build professional relationships that can significantly accelerate our career development.

I wholeheartedly agree with this perspective. These conferences have consistently proven to be excellent platforms for engaging with industry leaders. In fact, many of the insightful guests featured on this podcast were connections made at these type of conferences.

Life Long Learning

In the dynamic field of structural engineering, Rachel emphasized the necessity of ongoing education. She advocated for staying well informed on industry trends as well as the value that conferences have not only for our learning, but our career growth.

I have been a big proponent of lifelong learning over the years. I used to think after school I was done learning, but since then I have found so many practical ways learning has improved not only my professional life, but my personal life as well. Take for example the "5-hour rule". It suggests dedicating at least 5 hours per week to deliberate learning, a practice followed by successful individuals like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Learning is considered the best investment of time, with Benjamin Franklin noting that "an investment in knowledge pays the best interest". There are many practical ways to incorporate learning into daily life including finding mini learning periods during downtimes, attending industry conferences, and engaging in topics you find interesting.

Mentors and Mentorship Relationships

One of the most impactful segments of our discussion was Rachel's reflection on mentorship. She shared, "The guidance of an experienced professional is invaluable in navigating one's career." Now, she's is doing the same by mentoring junior engineers at Thornton Tomasetti.

Throughout my career I have had formal and informal mentorships. These relationships have sometimes grown into professional friendships, but most importantly, they gave me a strong foundation starting off. The lessons as well as the insights was invaluable at the time.

Strategic Advice for Aspiring Engineers

Rachel offered several key recommendations for students:

* Engage in extracurricular projects related to structural engineering

* Attend industry conferences and workshops (such as the AISC Steel Conference)

* Develop strong communication skills, which are crucial in engineering

* Secure internships at reputable firms to gain practical experience

To this, I would add: cultivate a habit of curiousity. Whether in meetings with architects or on-site with contractors, asking thoughtful questions demonstrates engagement and a desire to learn, which is highly valued in our profession. Take a step further and record those lessons. The brigtest minds over the years have kept journals to reflect on what they learn. The impact of writing it down has been tremendously. Nowadays, with technology, there are so many great options. I personally use Notion to keep all my stuff in one place