After four grueling years at the Virginia Military Institute, upon graduation as an engineer, I decided to follow my own prudent path: I would find the best paying job in an area with the lowest cost of living that afforded me training opportunities. I knew myself well enough that I didn’t want to be stuck behind a desk; I desired interpersonal contact. I always aspired to be an engineering leader — and felt consulting would be the best route to that end.
As a result, I ended up working for an engineering consulting firm based out of the Midwest that had an in-depth multi-year new engineer training program. At this particular firm, which hired predominantly mechanical and electrical engineers, the incoming mechanical engineers were developed as generalists who designed both HVAC and plumbing systems for a variety of buildings, including universities, healthcare and laboratories. My first buildings, mostly for higher-education institutions, allowed me to begin honing my craft as I learned how to size ducts, select air-handling units and design plumbing systems.