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.

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

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.

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.

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