Fostering Successful Career Paths in Construction: Motivation, Evaluation, Feedback

Abstract

AbstractThe 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 proact...