Charles Pafundi

Final Project/ Oral Presentation

CT 226 Mrs. Reilly
In todays world the up keep of roads and bridges for transportation is a nonstop effort.
So nonstop that most areas cannot even keep up with repairs and maintenance. This obvious
problem is why I chose to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering Technology and Land Surveying.
The choice of these two degrees in my eyes and the large amounts of projects repairing and
designing new roads and bridges, should provide me the future job security I would need in a
country experiencing an economic turnaround.
After the completion of my dual degree the job I am interested in finding is a
Construction Inspector. This position is provided in a vast amount of places and in a vast amount
of types of construction. The detailed choice I would like is construction inspection with roads
and bridges, mainly transportation. The area of this position would best be found within a
consultant firm and locally to where I live in Albany, New York. I have developed this interest in
inspection due to two reasons while growing up. One reason was being raised by my father who
worked as a civil engineer with New York State Department of Transportation as an inspector
and now currently as an Engineer in Charge or head inspector. Growing up I always went with
him to visit job sites and his field office to see his projects and of course get to dress up in a hard
hat and vest. The second reason of my interest is my love for building things when growing up. I
have always enjoyed seeing something come together and as well being outdoors. I believe that
inspection can give me the satisfaction of my interests and as well provide the security of a
comfortable life. A dual degree in Land Surveying, I believe will give me a better understanding
as well with job plans and how a site is laid out. This being said, as an inspector I will be able to
develop myself into a leadership position quicker with this better understanding and using it as a

head up with other associates by knowing the new cutting edge technology that surveying
constantly is developing.
The companies I have looked into applying to when I am finished with my degree are all
consultant firms out of the capital region area of Albany, New York. The four companies that
have struck my interest the most are AECOM out of Latham, Boswell Engineering out of
Albany, Creighton Manning Engineering out of Albany, and C.T. Male out of Latham. All of
these companies have positions currently open for Entry Level Construction Inspectors and
Level I Construction Inspectors. Level I requires a year experience in the field and level NICET
certification. As well as inspection positions all these companies have survey technician
positions open as well. With these survey positions open as well I could use this as a fall back for
full time employment with these companies who sometimes lay off employees during the winter
months due to construction sites shutting down. Survey work could be done 12 months a year if
the need was there for a construction site.
The reason I have chosen to apply to these consultant firms is mainly dealing with job
security and how New York State is handling its DOT projects with inspection. Currently in the
past years NYSDOT has not reinforced their construction inspectors with new hires due to the
current standing of the economy. Instead they hire seasonal help using college students in the
degree field for entry level positions and contract consultant firms to provide inspectors in higher
positions for the projects. This new order of things provides constant jobs for the inspectors of
these companies and provides the appropriate pay for these types of projects. The reason for this
downward trend in NYS hiring is said to be the money saving effect of hiring consultant
inspectors being paid slightly more than the DOT inspectors but in the long term not having to
pay for their benefits and retirement plans.

With this job position comes in return the need for future education. Although added
college credits may not be needed, furthering education is always something that companies
want. For engineering consultant firms the use of the National Institute for Certification in
Engineering Technologies is used to further your standing in the company and being responsible
for what type of projects you can be in charge of. This institute provides materials that are
bought or sometimes provided for free to study and retain. Then after retaining the knowledge an
exam is proctored and if passed then a certificate is given to the engineer for the understanding
of the knowledge. There are various categories of certificates and each category has detailed
certificates within. Each detailed subject as well has levels ranging usually to four and to retain
the highest level they must be completed in order. With these certificates depending on the levels
certified, the consultant firm can put you in positions of leadership or project type in regards to
your furthered education. Besides the furthering of education within the realm of civil
engineering, I would as well need to continue to further education in regards to surveying. The
subject of surveying is something that with a two year degree is not needed to have certificates
but with how technology is changing is very important. Each year a convention is set up for
surveyors around the state who are licensed to gain their educational credits. But, although I am
not licensed anyone is allowed to attend. With that said, I would, depending on the classes given
at the yearly convention, go to further my education and gain the knowledge of new technologies
or new practices.
So all in all, the engineering construction field is always in need of workers qualified to
oversee the building of projects. With the degrees I have chosen and the plan I have set out ahead
of me hopefully I can do what I would enjoy to do. But as well continue to further my education
and stay with the changing times with technology and how it is being used within the projects.

Works Cited

"Careers." AECOM. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013. <http://www.aecom.com/Careers>.

"Career Opportunities." Boswell Engineering. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013.

<http://www.boswellengineering.com/index.php/boswell-engineering-new-jerseycareers.html>.

"Careers." Creighton Manning. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013.

<http://www.cmellp.com/careers.html>.

"Career | C.T. Male Associates." Career | C.T. Male Associates. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.ctmale.com/careers>.

"NICET: Certificants - Information About Programs." NICET: Certificants - Information About

Programs. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.nicet.org/certificants/information.cfm>.