NEW YEAR, NEW HEIGHTS:
5 WAYS TO ACCELERATE YOUR CIVIL ENGINEERING CAREER
By: Gabrielle Camilli
As a Workforce Strategy Consultant for the AEC industry, I spend my days in deep conversations—whether it’s with civil engineers mapping out their career trajectories or C-suite leaders strategizing about their teams. Over the years, I’ve noticed a recurring theme: many AEC professionals believe their career growth is dictated by their employer. But here’s the truth—you are in the driver’s seat of your career. With the right mix of intention, hard work, and confidence, you can steer your career in the direction you want, at the pace you want. Here are some actionable tips to help you take control and fast-track your career growth this year:
(1.) Reflect on your career fulfillment
Career reflection is an essential part of good career hygiene. Take time to regularly reflect on your work and identify the types of projects or tasks that bring you the most fulfillment. Is it developing innovative design solutions, leading client relationships, or mentoring younger engineers? Understanding what excites and motivates you will give you clarity on how you want to grow.
Once you’ve pinpointed your areas of interest, take action by vocalizing these goals to your supervisor or mentor. Having a conversation about your aspirations can help position you for more opportunities that align with your passions. If your supervisor is aware that you have a passion for VISSIM analysis or green roof design, etc., they’ll know to advocate for you when those project opportunities arise.
Pro tip: Make sure your goals intersect with the broader goals of your firm. When your personal ambitions align with the firm’s objectives, it creates a win-win situation that will help you advance while contributing to the company’s success.
(2.) Expand your network, internally and externally
Networking isn’t just about attending events—it’s about building meaningful connections that can support your career in unexpected ways. Associations like ITE, CREW, ULI, ASCE, and ASHE (there are dozens more) are goldmines for connecting with industry peers beyond your firm. These connections can provide valuable market insights, fresh perspectives, and can even open doors to future collaborations with potential colleagues, clients, or partners.
But don’t overlook the power of internal networking. Often times in the AEC industry, we stick to our immediate project teams, missing out on the wealth of knowledge and expertise within our own firms. Challenge yourself to reach out to 1-2 professionals you admire within your company each quarter—whether they’re in a different department or on another team. Invite them for coffee, build a relationship, and create internal advocates. These internal connections can be just as pivotal to your career growth as external ones.
(3.) Take charge by seeking feedback regularly
One of the biggest misconceptions among AEC professionals is that they must wait for annual reviews to get feedback on their performance. This often leaves professionals in the dark, unsure of where they stand or how they can improve. But here’s the truth: you have the power to control when and how you receive feedback.
Try scheduling monthly check-ins with your supervisor or a mentor. These chats don’t have to be formal—just a quick conversation to get some constructive feedback. It shows you’re serious about growing and staying on track.
The more self-aware you are, the more you can steer your personal and professional growth!
(4.) Stay Informed of AEC Trends
In the fast-paced AEC industry, staying up-to-date on the latest trends is essential for career growth. Whether it’s reading articles, attending webinars, asking your network what they are seeing in the market, or following industry leaders, making the extra effort to stay informed keeps you ahead of the curve. Knowledge is power—and in a competitive field like this, being in the know can set you apart from others.
By keeping an eye on updates in your focus area, you’ll not only stay relevant but also position yourself as someone who is proactive and engaged in the future of the industry. Plus, it’ll give you valuable insights that can help you make decisions and solve problems on your projects.
(5.) Lean into the uncomfortable
Growth is often the byproduct of stepping outside your comfort zone. It can be intimidating, but pushing yourself to take on new challenges is where the real progress happens. Personally, I was once terrified of public speaking—seriously terrified. Sweaty palms, shaky hands, red face, dry mouth—the whole package. To conquer it, I started raising my hand for speaking opportunities whenever I could. Fast forward to this year, I led 18 workshops, speaking to more than 600 professionals, and I’m finally getting to a place where I actually feel excited about these opportunities (and mildly terrified still).
So, whether it’s raising your hand to lead an internal lunch and learn, asking to attend your first public hearing or business development interview, or writing a blog about a specific engineering topic, take thew new year as an opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone and grow.
Now that 2025 is here, don’t wait—start your reflection today and take ownership of your career this year. Whether you’re a recent graduate just months into your career, a seasoned technical expert, or a project manager leading teams, you’re in the driver’s seat, so steer your career path with intention and confidence.
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