Engineer online friends

[DoubleStud]

Ok, this is a little bit embarrassing. I do residential structural engineering by myself. The worst thing about working alone is that I have no other engineers to talk to or bounce ideas with (other than eng-tips). When I worked for a firm that do residential (5 years), the training was very minimal. Engineers did both drafting and design. The training was primarily focused on vertical loads and drafting. Every time I had a question on lateral loads for the senior engineers or principals, they were either busy or just gave me a very vague answer. I never felt that I learned anything. So about 1.5 years ago I decided to just go on my own and took some of the clients with me. I basically give them the same service just like when I worked for the firm. But now I am not as overloaded and I can give them a lot better service. The money is also better of course. I also started getting more and more new architect/builder clients so business is good. I hardly ever go outside of my comfort zone and stay only with residential. I am starting to buy books and try to self learn when I have some time.

Is there someone else out there who does residential engineering by themself? Or maybe someone in a similar situation? It would be awesome if we can be a "virtual" coworker? Maybe we can be online friends? Have a web meeting once in a while, share screen and help each other out? Most of my engineers friends that I know personally do heavy civil. Posting on eng-tips have been very beneficial as well.

I am based in the US.

 

[KootK]

I'm game. Check out my user profile and you'll likely figure out how to contact me.

I suspect that you'll find that most of our power contributors here are either solo / near-solo practitioners or retirees. The reasons for that being obvious.

I come and go from residential work but certainly feel that I would be capable of providing meaningful assistance with most things residential.

 

[Enable]

Nothing to be embarrassed about in the least. Life can be isolating when you feel like the only adult in the room most of the time. The best engineers I've ever encountered are on these forums.

Similar to KootK I don't have a great residential practice, and frankly he is much better equipped to help you technically on that, or any front. But I do some residential and a mixed bag of everything so can maybe help. Also I enjoy engaging with people trying to improve themselves.

My email can be found by looking at my profile as well. Or just google enable contracting / enable metalworks and replace the generic email with "allan" at the front and you'll get me.

 

[TLHS]

I've found that it's good to have people to talk to and chat through options, but it's also really good to have one or two other local guys that you respect and can subcontract to when you want to problem solve or need some muscle. That way if you need to do something a little more complicated than a fifteen minute chat you don't feel like you're being a burden. It also ends up being business development, because people will pass around work that isn't right for them and is better for you.

We need to do independent reviews on most anything structural where I am, so having something like that ends up being critical when you're on your own.

 

[Eng16080]

I'm in a similar situation, having left my previous employer not too long ago, with the goal of eventually running my own business. I'm currently taking a sabbatical of sorts while doing a little bit of side work. My goal in the near term is to better educate myself in areas of weakness while also writing software to help improve my overall efficiency. Most of my work is in residential/commercial. Anyway, I'd be glad to help.

I'll admit that I'm not entirely sure how this site works. Can you message me directly? I'd rather not broadcast my email to the world.

 

[jayrod12]

When you figure out KootK's email riddle, I hereby give him permission to pass on my contact info.

I used to do only residential. I've now graduated to writing proposals and reports while trying to fit in 2 hours to advance schematic designs, while simultaneously helping the young engineers in our office and spending far too much time here on etips.

 

[Aesur]

I second what jayrod12 said, when you figure out KootK's riddle he has my permission to share my contact information with you as well.

 

[GeorgeTheCivilEngineer]

I'm in the UK so probably no use. But I do have a network of a few other engineers that I call up when I can't figure something out or if I need an independent check. It is valuable so reach out to nearby engineers as well as using online resources.

(One or two local engineers are grumpy old gits but that's useful to know as well).

 

[human909]

Or maybe someone in a similar situation?

I was in a slightly similar situation.

Post completion of my engineering degree I have essentially been a self taught structural engineer. I initially had no other structural engineers at the company I worked for mentoring or to ask basic questions or to review my work. I had to take baby steps and teach myself. While it is vitally important that you practice your profession close to your comfort zone, I'd say that to progress you need to step outside it. Baby steps each time slowly building your circle of knowledge until it grows larger and larger.

Through constant thirst for knowledge and perseverance, this forum and a couple positive chance encounters along the way I managed to develop enough skills to get myself over the professional registration hurdle.


If you are really looking for a true peer or a mentor then they are likely hard to come by in the industry but are quite prolific on this forum. If you really want to be good at what you do and extend your knowledge in leaps and bounds then you need to be passionate. Sadly most structural engineers I've met in passing don't meet this passionate criteria.

(I presume you reside in the US, like the majority of the users here. If that is the case I won't put up my hand as a fellow peer/mentor. But if you live downunder then I'd be happy to get in contact.)

 

[DoubleStud]

Ok I have added a cryptic message on my profile of my cell #. Send me a text and we can get connected. I am based in USA.