Transitioning from college into a full-time civil engineering role is bigger than most people expect. You go from lectures, group projects and late nights to real deadlines, real clients and real responsibilities, and the pace can feel overwhelming at first.
My name is Braden Dean, and I graduated from Penn State in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. I started at Howell just one month later as a staff engineer. Looking back, there are several things I wish I had understood before starting my career and many lessons that would have made those first few months much smoother and less stressful.
One of the most important things I wish I knew is how valuable it is to take the FE exam while you’re still in school. I’m learning this firsthand because I haven’t taken the exam yet. Studying after a full day of work is much harder than it sounds. Working forty hours a week changes your energy and focus, and sitting down to study when you are exhausted can feel impossible. I’ve also learned that the longer you wait after graduation, the harder it becomes to prepare for the exam. If you are still in school, take the FE before you graduate. It is one of the simplest ways to set yourself up for success and get your EIT certification.
Internships are another thing I wish I had fully appreciated. College teaches theory through equations, homework and exams, but internships show you how engineering works in the real world. During my two summers of internships, I learned more about the day-to-day work of a civil engineer than I did in four years of classes. Gaining experience with design software, like AutoCAD, is invaluable for a young engineer. Applying what you learn in school during internships is the best way to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
I also learned quickly how important it is to ask questions. In college, you often work alone and can figure things out or at least get by. In engineering, guessing is never the right approach. People expect new engineers to ask for clarification, and doing so early prevents mistakes and wasted time. Asking why something is done a certain way helps you understand the reasoning behind the design and builds your knowledge much faster.
Finally, I wish I had known how normal it is to feel unsure at first. No new engineer starts fully prepared. You learn how projects move from concept to design, how to read and create plans, how to use software and how to exercise good judgment. Some days you’re confident, and others you feel completely lost, and that is part of the process. Each week, you understand a little more, and before long, you look back and realize how far you’ve come.
Starting your career is a major milestone, and it comes with challenges. If I had understood the importance of taking the FE early, making the most of internships and asking questions without hesitation, those first months would have been much easier.
The good news is that new engineers grow quickly, especially surrounded by so much Howell experience. Before you know it, you start to feel comfortable and confident in your role.
