A Young Engineer’s Journey to Success | EP 189

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Join host Dr. James Bryant as he interviews Aaron Shavel, a seasoned civil engineer with a decade of experience in New York City’s transit construction sector. Discover how Aaron navigated his path from field engineer to managing multimillion-dollar MTA projects, and explore his insights on leadership transitions, preventing burnout, and finding work-life balance in the demanding construction industry. Aaron shares valuable wisdom on team building and his “train your replacement” philosophy while discussing his current pivot toward infrastructure policy work.

Key Highlights

Career Evolution: From entry-level field engineer to project manager overseeing $150 million in transit projects
Leadership Transformation: Managing the challenging transition from an 8-person team to leading 45 people
Burnout Prevention: Practical strategies for maintaining balance in high-pressure construction environments
Team Development: Implementing a “train your replacement” mentality that elevates everyone
Infrastructure Innovation: Insights on design-build approaches and public-private partnerships
Career Planning: The power of written manifestation for career development and pivoting

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and Aaron’s background

03:00 – Career transition to infrastructure policy work

05:36 – The realities of working in general contracting

07:00 – Managing burnout and work-life balance

08:10 – Leadership transition challenges

10:46 – Effective leadership strategies and team building

13:26 – The “train your replacement” mentality

15:06 – Future career planning and reflection

18:28 – Role reversal Q&A with Dr. Bryant

21:09 – Final thoughts and closing remarks

Featured Guest

Aaron Shavel is a New York City-based civil engineer specializing in rail and transit construction. With extensive experience managing complex projects for the MTA and Long Island Railroad, Aaron has recently joined the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure to help shape nationwide infrastructure policy.

Connect With Our Guest

LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronshavel/

About Engineer Your Success

Engineer Your Success is the podcast for technical professionals who want to grow as leaders, build meaningful careers, and live fulfilled—at work and at home. Hosted by Dr. James Bryant, the show blends practical strategies and real-life stories to help you lead with intention, whether you’re advancing in your role, managing a team, or growing a business. With insights drawn from industry, government, and national organizations, each episode equips you with tools to thrive professionally without losing sight of what matters most.

Connect with Dr. Bryant

Website: www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjamesbryant_coach/
LinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant

Grab Your Copy of the Engineer’s Blueprint for Success Here: https://www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/engineers-blueprint/

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