Building a Meaningful Career in Civil Engineering

  As an aspiring civil engineer, my dream job goes beyond calculations and construction plans—it involves being part of a workplace that prioritizes integrity, collaboration, and long-term sustainability. I want to work for an organization that not only builds infrastructure but also uplifts communities, respects labor, and encourages innovation. In Freedom Dreams , Kelley explains how transformative visions are born from imagination and collective purpose, urging us to ask not only what we fight against, but also what we dream of building (Kelley 2002, 8). For me, that dream includes a workplace that reflects fairness, inclusivity, and ethical leadership. Drawing from Markman’s Bring Your Brain to Work (Chapter 2), three core values stand out for me: autonomy, purpose, and growth . Autonomy matters because I want to be trusted to take initiative and offer creative engineering solutions. Purpose ensures that my work contributes to larger social good—whether that means designing s...