Employers

[Anonymous]

What are employers looking for in new employees?

[Anonymous]

I can only speak from my perspective as management in a private firm. Private firm deal heavily on relationships with clients and the public, so focused on social skills, life skills and community involvement. Candidates typically had the education they needed for the position, meaning they had passed their classes and understood the basics of engineering. The candidates that stuck our for me were people that were involved with community service, extra curricular activities, and volunteerism. I also encouraged any students in engineering programs to take as much communication and public speaking classes as they could, which is counter-intuitive for most of them because it did not fit their personalities. But these were the skills that would advance them in a private firm. Veterans and Eagle Scouts were two qualifications that would usually get them an interview.
Kevin Wernberg
Civil Engineer
Widseth

[Anonymous]

Technical skills are very important but you will learn a lot just through experience. One the most important skill is having people skills. We do a good amount of technical work but a lot of time is spent talking with project owners, contractors, City Staff, State agencies and if you are able to communicate with them well, it makes the job that much easier.
Brady Bussler
Civil Engineer
Widseth

[Author]

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