Professional Development
Related News Archive: 2012
What does a Professional Engineer need to Report to the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Regarding Settlements and Civil Actions?
It is no secret that when it comes to a set of construction documents, there is no such thing as a perfect set. Not every project is executed as planned, often resulting in lawsuits or threats of litigation. Legal judgments may require you to notify the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors in order to remain in compliance with your obligations under the Professional Engineers Act. So when do you need to notify? More »
What Do I Do When Hiring a Non-U.S. Citizen?
More and more engineering firms are hiring employees from outside the United States. One of the ways firms are filling in experience voids is through the use of an H-1B visa. Unfortunately, complying with immigration and visa requirements of the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) can be a confusing process, and the treatment of these new employees is different than your U.S. Citizen employees. This month’s article will discuss H-1B visa employees and how the hiring and employment process is very different. More »
Meeting in Norwalk
Have you ever wanted to attend one of the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologist (BELSG) board meetings but didn’t want to travel to Sacramento? More »
Business Issues: The Oil That Keeps The Machine Moving
There is more to operating an engineering firm than performing calculations and drawing accurate plans. In fact, while you frequently hear attorneys comment on the importance of considerations like insurance and indemnity, those don’t complete the picture either. More »
Securing Your Payment and Your Future: Liens 101
Although your passion and career focuses on providing a top quality service, payment is a critical issue in today’s economic environment. And while engineers might have foregone certain actions in the past to secure their financial interests because of sensitivities over how owners or architects would perceive those actions, today’s economic environment may demand a more active role in securing payment. More »
Geraldine Trivedi, PE Appointed to CA Board of Professional Engineers
Geraldine Pilar Trivedi, 44, of Palos Verdes Peninsula, has been appointed to the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists. Trivedi has served as a civil engineer for the City of Redondo Beach since 2009 and was a civil engineer for the City of Huntington Beach from 2001 to 2009. She was a senior environmental engineer at Disneyland from 1998 to 2001 and an engineer for Mobil Oil Corporation from 1993 to 1998. More »
The Must-Haves and Should-Haves of Engineering Contracts
Sometimes it is the least intriguing part of becoming involved in a new project that will make the difference between a profitable, successful experience and a nightmare that results in that dreaded call to your insurance broker and attorney. The client that seemed so reasonable and down to earth at first may not remain so once placed under the pressures of a challenging project. However, a well thought out, clear contract can help to avoid straining a client relationship and also provide some protection for you during and after a project that does not go as planned. More »
Do I Observe, Supervise, or Inspect When I Step Foot Inside the Construction Zone?
By nature, engineers are problem solvers. They enjoy and take pride in solving complicated problems. On a construction project, after the construction documents are complete and the contractor undertakes construction activities, it is strongly recommended that engineers contract to have continued involvement in a project throughout construction to assist with contractor questions, clarify the contract documents, review submittals and observe construction. More »
What is a Fellow and how do I become one?
There is no direct admission to the grade of Fellow. Fellow status must be attained by professional accomplishments via application and election by the Membership Application Review Committee (MARC). It is a prestigious honor held by fewer than 5% of ASCE members. Fellows are practitioners, educators, mentors, and most of all leaders. They have distinguished careers that have contributed significantly to the Civil Engineering profession. The accomplishments of Fellows have left their marks on their communities, society, and future engineering professionals. More »
