The Difference A Year Makes
December 17, 2008 at 2:15 pm aepcentral 1 comment
By Carol Metzner, President, The Metzner Group, LLC and Managing Partner, A/E/P Central, LLC home of CivilEngineeringCentral.com
Just took a quick look at the start of our BLOG last January. The majority of posts in the first quarter of the year centered around recruiting; trying to identify candidates in the tight marketplace. Here we are months later and folks are using our LINKEDIN discussion group to network after being let go from their employer and human resources professionals are looking for help in outplacing laid off staff.
The difference a year makes!
December 2007 ENR issue covered their annual “The Year in Construction” photo contest. They boasted that with such a booming year, there were many great photos from which to choose a winner. This month’s articles discuss the uncertainty in future transportation projects and an expected slowdown in the international power plant design and construction sector boom.
So here we are. A new year on the horizon. Hopes of an infrastructure stimulus package dancing in our heads! It is important for those of us who survived the down market conditions of the late 1980’s, early 1990’s and again the perilous times after 9/11 to speak of our making it through. Talk to those civil engineers who are talking of leaving the industry…hang in there, if possible. The market will change, projects will find funding and the US will need your talents and expertise.
My wish for you this holiday…joy, peace and time with those who bring you happiness!
Entry filed under: Civil Engineering Companies, Civil Engineering Issues, Civil Engineering Shortage, The U.S. Economy & Civil Engineering, The Workplace.
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Scott Sawyer | December 17, 2008 at 7:55 pm
It is hard to see the forest through the trees, especially when the trees are falling on top of you (in the form of job uncertainity across our industry). But I believe the forest has never been healthier. Most of us got into this business because we love to solve problems and we want to make a difference. The problems we face are as challenging, daunting and exciting as ever. More signifcantly, we sit on the edge of an opportunity to revamp America’s infrastructure – energy, water, transportation, wasterwater – you name it. This is a once in a lifetime chance to be at the heart of America’s revitalization as the world’s economic leader.