What can you do with a Construction Engineering Degree?

Oracle Academy Tech Chat

In this episode of the Oracle Academy Tech Chat Podcast, Host Tyra Crockett Peirce speaks with Bill Mc Michael, Senior Director of Software Development from the Oracle Infrastructure group. Bill and Tyra discuss the construction engineering industry, what it is, and the tools students pursuing a construction engineering career need to know when they step into the workforce.

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Episode Transcript:

00;00;09;03 - 00;00;27;21 Welcome to the Oracle Academy Tech Chat. This podcast provides educators and students in-depth discussions with thought leaders around computer science, cloud technologies and software design to help students on their journey to becoming industry ready technology leaders of the future. Let's get started. 00;00;27;29 - 00;00;55;12 Welcome to Oracle Academy Tech Chat, where we discuss how Oracle Academy helps prepare our next generation's workforce. I'm your host, Tyra. Today, I'm joined by Bill McMichael, senior director of software development in the Construction and Engineering Industries Group at Oracle. Bill directs product teams responsible for application development and product documentation for portfolio management software applications, including Premiere Therapeutics. 00;00;56;05 - 00;01;18;27 Bill has held various development and management positions at Converse Systems prior to its acquisition by Oracle in 2009. He's a B.S. MBA from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bill is a certified project management professional. Welcome, Bill. So a little bit to start off, and you give me a bit about your background and your role at Oracle. 00;01;19;20 - 00;01;45;11 Yeah. Thank you, Tyra. I have a diverse background that encompasses project management and technical ability. My journey with Oracle began through the acquisition of Primavera Systems, a company that specialized in project and portfolio project management software. And currently, I serve as the senior director of software development for Primavera P6, a well-known project management solution in the construction industry. 00;01;45;23 - 00;02;11;03 So I've been helping construction companies solve their project and resource planning needs for 35 years. As you mentioned, I hold a PMP certification reflecting my commitment to project management. So my role at Oracle is a unique combination of my construction management and technology expertise. It's a role that's both rewarding and dynamic given the ever changing nature of technology and project management. 00;02;11;17 - 00;02;15;17 So my next question what exactly is construction engineering? 00;02;15;28 - 00;02;51;11 Well, construction engineering is a specialized field within civil engineering that focuses on the planning, design and execution of construction projects. So a distinction from the broader civil engineering discipline is that construction engineering is a subdiscipline primarily dealing with the on site execution and management of the project. It involves the application of engineering principles to ensure the successful completion of construction projects such as buildings, infrastructure, bridges and much more. 00;02;51;26 - 00;03;23;19 Construction engineers play a pivotal role in coordinating various aspects of a project, including cost estimation, project scheduling, quality control and the management of resources and labor. One of the key distinctions of construction engineering is its emphasis on the practical aspects of construction. Construction engineers translate architectural designs and engineering plants in reality. They're responsible that the project is executed safely and within budget. 00;03;24;07 - 00;03;52;21 So they're managing issues that arise throughout the project. They're managing the risks. And at the same time, ensuring the quality and integrity of the structures that are being built. In essence, construction engineering is all about applying technical expertise to transform a vision on paper into a working structure, all the while adhering to best practices, regulations and engineering standards. 00;03;53;02 - 00;04;01;29 So the field requires a thorough understanding of both engineering principles and construction management, making it a crucial part of the construction industry. 00;04;02;09 - 00;04;17;17 That is actually interesting to me. I always thought that civil engineering and construction management are separate, so I. I learn something new, so I'm very grateful for that. So my next question, what are some of the software tools used in construction and sharing? 00;04;18;00 - 00;04;47;29 So of course at Oracle we make software tools and my division specifically makes tools for the construction industry. So in the area of construction engineering, Oracle provides a comprehensive suite of software tools designed to optimize construction project management and enhance collaboration. These tools are widely trusted by professionals in the industry, but we offer integrated solutions for various aspects of construction engineering. 00;04;48;14 - 00;05;26;18 So let's start with the first class tools I'm going to discuss and that project portfolio management and we have Oracle proof of our P6 and Oracle Primavera Cloud. So the value these tools bring to construction engineering is effective project management, project portfolio software like or Oracle's of P6, allow construction engineers to efficiently manage multiple projects concurrently. It's a centralized platform for project planning, scheduling resource allocations. 00;05;28;01 - 00;06;12;17 It helps teams stay organized to meet project deadlines. Another benefit of Primavera is resource optimization. Construction projects often involve a complex web of resources from labor to materials and equipment. So project portfolio software helps optimize that resource allocation, ensuring the resources are used efficiently across all projects. Another benefit includes budget control, risk management and collaboration communication. So in summary, project portfolio software is instrumental in streamlining construction project management. 00;06;13;14 - 00;06;46;01 The next tool, it's really an important tool in construction engineering is construction collaboration platform. Construction Collaboration platform such as Oracle connects Oracle EC and AX offers a wide range of capabilities that cater to the specific needs of construction engineering projects. One of them includes document management, so it connects is going to provide a centralized platform for document storage, tracking and version control. 00;06;46;13 - 00;07;26;07 There's a lot of documents and in construction, these documents include engineering drawings, specification actions, contracts and reports and other important capability. And it connects is workflow management. It connects, streamlines the approval processes and workflows, ensuring that documents and changes progress through the necessary reviews and approvals efficiently. And another critical capability is transmittal management. It connects simplifies the process of sending and receiving documents and drawings, tracking their status and ensuring they're reaching the intended recipients. 00;07;26;17 - 00;07;58;02 Those are just some of the key capabilities of EC can access in a cloud based collaboration platform. Another tool is building information modeling that's referred to as BIM. It's a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building or infrastructure. So it's going to provide a detailed, accurate 3D model of a project. It has not only the visual aspects, but other information about the project's materials, spatial relationships and more. 00;07;58;24 - 00;08;38;26 It connects, integrates with them tools, facilitating the sharing of 3D models and aiding with design coordination. Another tool probably you would want in your tool chest as a construction engineer is a tool to aid with payment processing. A software like Oracle Tech Store. It simplifies payment processes by automating pay application, Lean waivers and compliance management. In a nutshell, NEXTDOOR helps minimize payment disputes and delays so these Oracle tools cater to the unique needs of construction engineers offering integrated solutions for project management. 00;08;39;10 - 00;09;03;25 Document Management Cost control and leveraging BIM technology. Moreover, Oracle Academy partners with top universities to provide students and faculty with the opportunity to learn and apply these construction engineering tools in an educational setting. This partnership ensures the next generation of construction engineers are well prepared with the skills and software tools they need to excel in the industry. 00;09;04;06 - 00;09;11;05 That leads to my next question. What are some of the career options for students studying construction engineering? 00;09;11;18 - 00;09;40;06 Well, there's a wide range of career options available to someone who studies construction engineering. I'll describe some of the most common and promising career paths. Number one Construction Management. Construction Manager. Construction managers oversee all aspects of construction projects. From planning and budgeting to onsite supervision. They ensure the projects are completed on time within budget and in compliance with quality and safety standards. 00;09;41;18 - 00;10;17;25 Second, Common Career Path is a project engineer. Project engineers work closely with construction managers and they assist in the planning and execution of projects. Now they're all often going to focus on a specific aspect of a project such as scheduling, cost control or quality assurance. Another career path is an estimate. Estimates calculate the cost of materials, labor and equipment needed for construction projects, so they play a crucial role in determining the project's budgets. 00;10;18;09 - 00;10;55;08 And they help companies with contracts and your various engineering positions. I'll describe a couple of them. One is a site engineer. A site engineer is responsible for the onsite management, including coordinating with subcontractors and ensuring safety protocols are followed and monitoring the project progress. And you have a design engineer. A design engineer works on the technical and structural aspects of construction projects, creating detailed plans and specifications for buildings, bridges and other infrastructure. 00;10;57;01 - 00;11;20;28 And then you even have, you know, you have some other, you know, career, such as you could be a construction software specialist with expertise in construction technology, like the tools that we we just discussed a minute ago. Some professionals work a specialist in implementing and using these construction software solutions. So that's just a few of the career options available. 00;11;21;09 - 00;11;28;06 It's a diverse range of opportunities and that often depends on the individual's interests, their skills and their career goals. 00;11;28;24 - 00;11;37;03 So that leads into my next question. What are some skills that a student pursuing a career in construction, engineering or construction management should have? 00;11;37;14 - 00;12;10;20 Well, students pursuing a career in construction engineering should develop a combination of technical, soft and project management skills to be able to excel in the field. So here's just some key skills they should focus on. I would say the top three are technical knowledge project management and communication. So let me talk about technical knowledge. You would want proficiency in construction techniques, methods and materials. 00;12;11;12 - 00;12;50;03 You want to understand structural engineering principles. You want to be familiar with construction, soft wear and building information modeling tools. So a lot of the book knowledge you're getting at the universities, you need that strong base of technical knowledge. Second skill set is project management skills. So this includes planning skills, schedule management, resource management and allocation budgeting, cost estimation, risk management, problem solving, exposure to improve and and training to improve. 00;12;50;03 - 00;13;18;10 Your project management skills are are very valuable skill to have. And I talked about soft skills. Communication skills. Clear and concise. Written and verbal communication. Being able to effectively collaborate with poly disciplinary teams. Being able to effectively communicate with clients and stakeholders. So there are the top three, but there's some others that I'd like to point out. 00;13;20;13 - 00;13;57;24 I think one of the emerging skills you're seeing is environmental and sustainability awareness. So any that you should develop knowledge of green building practices and sustainability principles and just, you know, an overall great skill to have is client customer service. Understand understanding and meeting client expectations, excellent customer service, relationship building skills. So developing these skills will help students become well-rounded construction engineers capable of successfully managing and executing construction projects. 00;13;58;03 - 00;14;06;22 Additional continuous learning and staying updated with industry advancements is essential for long term success in this dynamic field. 00;14;07;03 - 00;14;12;28 So my last question would be if you could give one piece of advice to faculty, your students, what would it be? 00;14;13;12 - 00;14;46;12 Well, Tara, if I could offer one piece of advice to both faculty and students pursuing careers in construction engineering, it would be to embrace lifelong learning and adaptability. The construction industry is constantly evolving with new technologies, sustainable practices, changing regulations. So to excel in this field, it's crucial to stay curious, keep a curious, an open mindset. Continuously seek to expand your knowledge, explore emerging trends in the construction and construction engineering. 00;14;47;00 - 00;15;17;16 You need to embrace technology in there. Be comfortable with technology. It's going to continue to play an increasingly significant role in construction. Familiarize yourself with the construction software that we discussed earlier building information, modeling and other technological advancements. You want to network. You want to build and maintain a strong professional network, collaborate with your peers, industry professionals and other experts to gain insights and stay updated. 00;15;17;17 - 00;15;49;19 Like listening to podcasts like this. You want to be environmentally conscious, be mindful of sustainable and environmentally friendly construction practices. Sustainability is becoming a key focus in the industry, and the last thing I'll say is just remember that learning is a lifelong journey big by continuously seeking knowledge, adapting to change and remaining committed to professional growth. Both faculty and students can thrive in this dynamic or rewarding field of construction engineering. 00;15;50;06 - 00;16;01;09 A big thanks to Bill for giving me an overview of construction engineering. To learn more about Oracle Academy and our resources, visit Academy dot Oracle dot com and subscribe to our podcast. Thanks for listening. 00;16;01;17 - 00;16;10;02 That wraps up this episode. Thanks for listening and stay tuned for the next Oracle Academy Tech Chat podcast.