Job vs. Career, Loyalty & Pride in Our Work, The Problem with Billable Hours & the Choice You Need to Make as a Civil Engineer with former ASCE President Dennis D. Truax, Ph.D., P.E.
Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Dennis Truax, a true leader and innovator in the field of civil engineering. With a career spanning over four decades, Dennis has made remarkable contributions as an educator, researcher, consulting engineer and mentor. He’s the 2022 President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and professor emeritus of the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Mississippi State University.
An experienced department chair with a demonstrated history of working in higher education, Dennis is a strong business development professional skilled in academic advising, public speaking, private piloting, construction, and stormwater management. He’s also a recognized expert in environmental and water resources engineering, holding multiple advanced certifications and awards, including ASCE’s Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award and induction into the Academy of Distinguished Alumni at Virginia Tech.
In this episode, we’ll dive into the difference between a job and a career, finding your competitive advantage, creating loyalty, having pride in our work, the problem with billable hours, and avoiding the 'dinosaur mindset’. We’ll also explore the opportunities and challenges you face whether you’re just starting your career or in the middle of it, and the critical choice every civil engineer needs to make. All this and more with former ASCE President Dennis Truax.
Enjoy this conversation with Dennis Truax.
Chapters
02:19 Journey to Civil Engineering
06:29 The Difference Between a Job and a Career
10:17 The Role of Civil Engineers in Society
12:44 The Impact of Civil Engineering on Daily Life
16:19 Understanding Infrastructure and Its Importance
20:43 The Disconnect Between Public Perception and Infrastructure Needs
25:14 Celebrating Civil Engineering and Infrastructure
30:21 The Future of Civil Engineering and Its Societal Role
30:52 The Shared Infrastructure of Society
32:14 Understanding Civil Engineering's Role
34:50 Expectations of Water Quality
37:34 The Evolution of Civil Engineering
39:43 Opportunities for Young Engineers
42:00 Navigating Work Environments
46:40 The Commoditization of Engineers
50:25 Innovative Business Models in Engineering
57:27 The Future of Civil Engineering
Connect with Dennis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-d-truax-4678308b
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