Advice for Graduate Structural Engineers: What I Wish I Knew

Starting your career as a graduate structural engineer is exciting and overwhelming in equal measure. After four years progressing from graduate to chartered-track engineer, here’s what I wish someone had told me on day one.

The First Six Months

Embrace Not Knowing

You’re not expected to know everything. In fact, you’re not expected to know much at all. What matters is:

• Willingness to learn
• Asking good questions
• Taking notes and not asking the same question twice
• Being proactive about seeking work

The worst graduates I’ve seen are those who pretend to understand when they don’t. The best ask clarifying questions and learn quickly.

Learn Your Software

Get comfortable with the tools:

Essential:

• AutoCAD: Reading and marking up drawings
• Excel: Everything runs on spreadsheets
• Your firm’s analysis software (Tekla, SCIA, Robot)

Useful:

• Revit: Even basic navigation helps
• Bluebeam: PDF markup and review
• BIM coordination software (Navisworks, Solibri)

Valuable:

• Python: For automation (future-proofs your career)
• Grasshopper: For computational design roles

Understand the Business

Engineering firms make money by selling engineers’ time. Understanding this changes your perspective:

• Time recording matters (do it accurately)
• Fees are limited (design efficiently)
• Repeat clients drive growth (quality matters)
• Your productivity affects project profitability

Technical Development

Master the Basics First

Before touching complex analysis software, ensure you can:

1. Sketch load paths through any structure
2. Hand calculate simple beam moments and deflections
3. Size members approximately before detailed design
4. Read drawings - GA, section, reinforcement details

These fundamentals never become obsolete.

Learn from Existing Designs

Every project has precedent. When starting a new task:

1. Find similar previous projects
2. Study what was done and why
3. Understand what worked and what didn’t
4. Adapt rather than reinvent

Build a Personal Library

Collect useful resources:

• Calculation templates you’ve verified
• Standard details that work
• Reference documents for quick lookup
• Notes from training courses

Future-you will thank present-you.

Verify Everything

Never trust software output blindly:

• Check reactions sum to applied loads
• Verify deflections against simple hand calcs
• Question results that seem too good (or too bad)
• Understand what the software is doing

Project Experience

Volunteer for Variety

Early in your career, breadth matters more than depth:

• Different building types
• Different materials (steel, concrete, timber)
• Different project stages (concept to construction)
• Different roles (design, checking, site visits)

Specialization can come later.

Site Visits Are Gold

Every chance to visit site:

• See how structures are actually built
• Understand why details matter
• Learn what causes problems
• Build relationships with contractors

One site visit teaches more than ten drawings.

Construction Stage Experience

If you can work on projects during construction:

• Technical queries force you to really understand the design
• RFIs reveal what wasn’t clear in drawings
• Seeing your designs built is incredibly satisfying
• Problems teach more than successes

Professional Development

Work Toward Chartership

ICE or IStructE membership matters:

• Professional recognition
• Technical competence validation
• Networking opportunities
• Career progression requirement at most firms

Start your training agreement early. Log experience diligently.

CPD Is Your Responsibility

Don’t wait for your company to train you:

• Attend webinars (many are free)
• Read technical papers
• Join professional institution groups
• Learn from colleagues

Set a personal goal: learn something new every week.

Build Your Network

Relationships matter throughout your career:

• Be helpful to colleagues
• Stay connected with university peers
• Attend industry events
• Engage professionally on LinkedIn

The engineering community is smaller than you think.

Soft Skills

Communication Matters More Than You Think

Technical ability is necessary but not sufficient:

Writing:

• Reports that clients can understand
• Emails that get actioned
• Specifications that are unambiguous

Speaking:

• Presenting designs clearly
• Explaining technical issues to non-engineers
• Defending decisions in design reviews

Practice these actively.

Learn to Estimate

Clients always want to know “how long?” and “how much?”

Build your estimation skills:

• Track how long tasks actually take
• Compare estimates to actuals
• Learn what drives duration (complexity, information, approvals)

Accurate estimates build trust.

Take Ownership

The difference between good and great engineers:

• Good: Completes assigned tasks competently
• Great: Takes ownership of outcomes, anticipates problems, suggests improvements

Own your work. Don’t just do what you’re told - think about what needs to be done.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Designing in Isolation

Structural engineering doesn’t exist in a vacuum:

• Coordinate with architecture (clearances, aesthetics)
• Coordinate with MEP (penetrations, loadings)
• Consider construction (sequence, access, materials)

The best technical solution isn’t always the best overall solution.

2. Over-Complicating Designs

Simple designs are:

• Easier to build
• Cheaper to construct
• Less prone to errors
• Easier to check

Complexity should be justified, not default.

3. Ignoring Feedback

When your work is checked:

• Don’t take corrections personally
• Understand why changes were needed
• Learn from the feedback
• Apply lessons to future work

Checking exists to catch errors and develop engineers.

4. Not Asking for Help

Senior engineers expect questions. What frustrates them:

• Not being asked until there’s a problem
• The same question repeated
• Questions that show no attempt to solve first

Ask early, ask smart, and document answers.

Long-Term Thinking

Career Paths Vary

Not everyone follows the same trajectory:

• Technical specialist
• Project manager
• Team leader
• Business development
• Academia/research
• Entrepreneurship

Explore options. Talk to people in different roles.

Stay Curious

The best engineers I know:

• Read widely beyond their specialty
• Try new tools and methods
• Question “we’ve always done it this way”
• Never stop learning

Curiosity compounds over a career.

Take Care of Yourself

Engineering can be demanding:

• Deadlines are real
• Responsibility can weigh heavily
• Office culture varies

Set boundaries. Maintain interests outside work. Physical and mental health enable sustained performance.

Conclusion

A career in structural engineering is rewarding. You’ll see your designs built, solve challenging problems, and contribute to the built environment.

The graduates who thrive:

• Work hard at the basics
• Seek variety in experience
• Communicate effectively
• Take ownership of their development

Start well, stay curious, and the career will take care of itself.