Guide Questions

Central question:

What characterizes the role of engineers in innovating and solving problems to enhance their
fields?
Engineers are responsible for designing and building infrastructures and superstructures to
support basic services and provide ease and comfort to the communities. They are known for
being innovative problem solvers of the society who were eager to seek practical uses for their
knowledge.
Specific question:
How do lived experiences of engineers highlight the advantages and challenges of their work in
enhancing their fields?
Indeed, experience is the best teacher. The actual experience of civil engineers especially in
managing construction projects provides them tacit knowledge much needed in adapting to
different situations related to their profession. I believe experience makes civil engineers
resilient.

Developmental Questions:

What motivated you to pursue engineering as a career?

2. What aspects of engineering work appealed to you the most when you started, and how has
your motivation evolved since then?
Although I was exposed mostly on monitoring activities, I enjoy designing more. However, since
my current job is not directly related to structural design and analysis nor construction
management, I’m actually slowly losing interest.

3. Reflecting on your journey, how do your current job responsibilities align with your early goals
in engineering?
As I set forth in my chosen career path, my goals also changed. I now view civil engineering in
the perspective of a planning officer which focuses more on efficient use of space and aligning
local developments with environmental conservation.

How demanding has your journey been from studying to working as an engineer?

1. What challenges did you face during your transition from school to the workplace, and how
did they shape your perspective on engineering?
Any profession would find school to workplace transition challenging since they were two
different fields of knowledge. One of the major differences is that what we were taught in school
were basically theories and principles based on ideal settings. Workplace is where we apply
those theories and concepts but on an actual scenario where there are other factors that may
affect the processes.
2. How do the demands of your job compare to your expectations during your studies, and what
coping strategies have you developed to handle stress?
Since my current job does not really focus mainly on civil engineering, I was not able to fully
apply my theoretical knowledge in college. However, my experiences in monitoring activities
taught me how the application was really different and how malpractices are chronic. Proper
mentoring from senior staffs and being open minded to practical knowledge can be helpful in
effectively adapting to these changes.
3. In what ways has your workload impacted your approach to balancing technical and non-
technical aspects of your role?
I was able to apply my technical knowledge on some of my workloads thereby increasing my
practical knowledge. As for the non-technical knowledge, I get to experience them first-hand and
are most of the time new to me. At least I learn from these first-time experiences.

How do you view modern technology's influence on engineering practice?

1. Can you provide examples of technological tools that have transformed your approach to
problem-solving at work?
Software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Microsoft Offices are some of the tools I learned at
school that I use to efficiently perform at work. I also got the chance to learn other programs
through trainings and self-research like QGis, CANVA, among others which made a huge
difference in making job a lot easier.
2. How has technology created new opportunities or challenges in your specific field of
engineering?
Technologies are basically designed to help make work easier and better. One major challenge
is that one has to be technically knowledgeable to run or maximize them. Not all people you will
meet at the work place are willing to understand these new technologies.

3. What strategies do you use to stay updated with new technologies and innovations relevant
to your work?
Invest on capacity development programs, online training courses, and self-study. One should
do his own research to adapt to these current trends. Also, if you are on a work environment
that promotes development, you’ll get the chance to increase your technical skills through
capacity building programs.

What notable challenges have you faced in your engineering career?

1. Can you describe a specific project where you encountered significant obstacles, and how did
you overcome them?
The most notable challenge I faced and even facing until today is the fact that I my current job is
not related to civil engineering. I cannot fully utilize the things I’ve learned in college. To
overcome them, I just learned to love the job that feeds me. If you genuinely love doing
something, you will also love to learn your way to excel in it.

2. How have these challenges influenced your problem-solving approach in your current role?
It helped me to broaden my interest in other fields aside from civil engineering including public
administration, environmental and urban planning, and other fields related to my current job.

3. What key lessons have you learned from overcoming challenges that you apply to your work
today?
That what you already know is never enough. One should never get contented with what you
already know and what skills you already have. One should expand his knowledge and
capabilities.

What strategies do you use to manage and organize complex engineering tasks at work?
1. How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects simultaneously, and what
systems do you use to track your work?
In my current job in the city LGU, our setup requires us to be flexible and be able to multitask. In
prioritizing tasks, I just weigh them based on urgency and how important and valuable each task
is. I also practice proper time management to work efficiently as I give much more attention to
the quality of my work output.
2. In what ways do you approach problem-solving when faced with unfamiliar challenges?
I would consult and ask for advice to my senior colleague and head of office combined with
conducting my own research.

3. How have your organizational skills evolved over time, and how do they impact your
efficiency in your role?

My organizational skills have improved through experience, series of trainings, and proper mentoring.
Our office also requires me to manage multiple tasks and it also helped me improve my organizational
skills. This helps me work more efficiently and beat deadlines effectively without sacrificing the quality of
my work.

How does your work environment impact your performance and innovation as an engineer?
1. What aspects of your work environment have contributed most to your growth and innovation
in engineering?
I believe it is the supportive properly management organization where I belong that fosters
efficiency and effectiveness. When one gets the proper support and a collaborative
environment, it motivates them to perform better
2. How does the company culture influence your creativity and problem-solving in your role?
Through open communication, open-mindedness in diverse perspectives, and a supportive work
environment and work culture. It allows our employees to freely safe share their ideas and
approaching problems with innovative solutions.
3. Are there any limitations in your environment that you feel hinder your potential to innovate?
Despite the supportive nature of my work environment, there were still factors hindering my
potential. It includes the limited capacity development programs within the office and the entire
organization, financial limitations to invest on programs not funded by the office, and work tasks
that do not utilize the trainings, thereby not being able to practice them.

How have your colleagues and supervisors influenced your engineering career?
1. What kind of collaboration or mentorship have you received from colleagues, and how has it
shaped your career?
They’ve played a crucial role by offering mentorship, guidance, and support. They have also
broadened up my perspective in the field of engineering not limiting my knowledge in
construction management and actual practice of civil engineering. They were the major reasons
why I learned to love this job.
2. How do you handle differing opinions in team settings, and what role do you often play in
group projects?
By being open-minded and focusing more on constructive discussions. During my first two
years, I would just serve as an observer and was used to be shy in offering suggestions. But as
I was trained by my former mentors, I now take the role of mediator or problem-solver, and
sometimes lead activities ensuring democracy among members while driving the team toward a
common goal.
3.What valuable professional relationships have you developed in your workplace, and how do
they contribute to your success?
I’ve built strong relationships with employees and even heads of offices from different
departments of the city LGU, other agencies, and NGOs. This have expanded my network and
knowledge.
What are your thoughts on the effectiveness of training and development opportunities in your
career?
1. Can you share an experience where training significantly enhanced your skills and problem-
solving abilities at work?
There was this one time when I, with my three colleagues was tasked to attend a training on
development of project proposal to seek for funding from major financial institution. I was tasked
to the lead the team and we successfully delivered a bankable project proposal which was
commended by the training providers. It then improved our skills in project proposal
development and we are now designated as leaders of project development team in our LGU.
2. How do you approach learning new skills or improving your knowledge in your field?
I would attend workshops, enrolling in master’s degree program, and staying updated with LGU
and planning concerns.
3. In your opinion, what areas of professional development could be improved in the
engineering profession?
More focus could be given to leadership development, emotional intelligence, and
interdisciplinary skills. These areas are often overlooked but are crucial for effective teamwork
and career advancement.
How have your professional goals evolved since you started working as an engineer?

1. What career milestones have you achieved that have shaped your future plans in
engineering?
Leading my first major project and receiving recognition for its success was a key milestone. It
boosted my confidence and inspired me to pursue roles with greater responsibility.
2. How have your aspirations shifted based on your experiences in the industry?
My aspirations have shifted from technical mastery to broader goals like project management
and leadership. Real-world challenges taught me the value of soft skills alongside technical
expertise.

3. What skills or expertise do you still aim to develop as you progress in your Career?
I aim to improve my leadership, data analytics, and strategic planning skills. These areas will
help me adapt to future roles that require a combination of technical and managerial expertise.
What advice would you give to those who are considering a career in engineering?
1. Based on your experience, what should aspiring engineers expect from the profession?
Expect both challenges and rewards. You’ll face complex problems that require critical thinking,
but the satisfaction of creating solutions that impact the world positively is worth the effort.
2. How can they prepare for the demands of the industry, and what mistakes should they avoid?
Build a solid foundation in technical skills, stay curious, and develop soft skills like teamwork
and communication. Avoid the mistake of thinking technical knowledge alone is enough—
collaboration and adaptability are equally important.
3. In your view, what traits or qualities are essential for success in engineering, and why is
adaptability important in this field?
Problem-solving, curiosity, resilience, and adaptability are key traits. The engineering field
constantly evolves, so being flexible and open to learning new things is crucial for long-term
success.