CIVIL ENGINEER BUSINESS OF APPRENTICESHIP

City of Boise, Public Works

CAREER CLUSTER: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

SUPERVISORS
Richard Wiebe, assistant city engineer
Jason Taylor, assistant city engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION
Perform engineering duties in planning,
designing, and overseeing construction
and maintenance of building structures,
and facilities, such as roads, railroads,
airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams,
irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants,
and water and sewage systems.

JOB TASKS
Inspect project sites to monitor progress
and ensure conformance to design
specifications and safety or sanitation
GOAL #1 standards.
My first goal was to experience what it is like to be in the workforce at a high Compute load and grade requirements,
level, beyond a general job. I think knowing what the workforce is like higher water flow rates, or material stress factors
up is important depending on if you want to go there after high school. I met to determine design specifications.
this goal because I got to experience what work was like for the engineers that
Estimate quantities and cost of materials,
help our cities and towns run. I got to spend some time in the field with some
surveying technology to help map out a couple of flumes that run through the equipment, or labor to determine project
city, and got to discuss what this data was going to be used for and how it was feasibility.
going to help the city. I also got to witness the work of a few engineers as they Plan and design transportation or
did their daily jobs, whether that was in the office or out in the field. hydraulic systems or structures, using
computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
CAREER STANDARD #2 Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings,
I met standard #2, Develop Employment Readiness, because of the skills I
had to learn and employ while working on my apprenticeship. My blueprints, aerial photography, or other
apprenticeship was a huge time of learning for me. While I was around topographical or geologic data.
engineers and my supervisors, I learned a lot from discussions I took part in
and work that I got to witness. But for the majority of my time, I was alone in the field completing the task that was assigned to me:
surveying, mapping, and collecting data on the flumes that run under and through Boise. I had been equipped with the tools I needed,
but I had to employ a lot of learning and problem solving skills to get my work done due to my unfamiliarity with the tasks.. I had to do
my work efficiently while learning and making sure I was keeping an open line of communication in case I was unsure about
something. Because the data I was collecting didn't exist yet, I had to make sure it was correct, and ensure I was doing the best job I
could. My supervisor Jason said he would send a team out to fact check and finish up the work I did, so I made sure everything was as
complete as I could get it to make the easiest job I could for Jason and his team. I had to responsibly apply myself to the best of my
ability and make sure I was open to learning. These are qualities I believe are very important to being ready for employment.

How did the apprenticeship help you
towards your career decision?
This apprenticeship helped me get more of an idea of what
work would be like having a career in engineering. I really
enjoyed the creativity and open endedness that seemed to be
a big part of being an engineer, as well as the hands-on work
of figuring out and solving problems. While at my
apprenticeship, I got a few ideas of what I would look for in my
future career, even if it wasn't specifically being a civil
engineer. I think getting in the action and getting some
experience is the best way to learn and discover what you
want in a career, and my apprenticeship helped me do that.
How did the apprenticeship connect to
our education at Compass?
During my time at Compass, I have learned the importance of
really being invested in your learning, having a strong growth
mindset, and not being afraid to ask questions. I suppose you
could say I have learned how to really learn at Compass, and these
skills definitely translate over into life. During my apprenticeship, I
had to apply my learning skills. It was important that I was fully
open to learning, invested in my growth, and okay with making
mistakes as part of the process. If you skip over this and only go at
something halfheartedly, you only get out a fraction of what you
can be getting from that experience.