Fostering Successful Career Paths in Construction: Motivation, Evaluation, Feedback
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 19, Issue 1
Abstract
The construction industry requires motivated and highly skilled people. The very nature of engineering and construction places an equal or greater requirement on oral and written communication skills, as it does on technical skills. To ensure young engineers are successful in construction, it is crucial that timely feedback and evaluations are provided in an effective and positive manner, which underscores the need for effective communication skills. Feedback should be provided to students and young engineers to inspire motivation, support personal and professional growth, and foster engagement. This paper provides survey and interview results from 13 CH2M HILL interns, two early career CH2M HILL engineering professionals, and 19 Bachelor of Science Construction Engineering graduates from Iowa State University(ISU), and summarizes the critical link between feedback and engagement, both in businesses and universities, to fostering successful career paths in construction. It is suggested that proactive partnerships between industry and academia are necessary to promote and nurture many elements critical to the success of young engineers in the construction industry and related businesses.
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Acknowledgments
As a consultant to CH2M HILL, the individual competencies listed in this chart are based on materials developed by Lominger International: a Korn/Ferry Company (Copyright © 1992–2012. All rights reserved). The identification of the individual competencies as distinguishing characteristics of CH2M HILL leaders and the aggregation of these competencies into the groupings and defined leadership levels shown are the property of CH2M HILL (Copyright © 2011–2012. All rights reserved).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 19 • Issue 1 • February 2014
Pages: 159 - 167
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 8, 2013
Accepted: Oct 8, 2013
Published online: Jan 15, 2014
Published in print: Feb 1, 2014
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