Being Civil

Being Civil

By Wayne GibbonsEducation
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Being Civil episodes

  • Special episode: STEPS Engineers Week 2022

    This is another very special episode of Being Civil, as it features questions sent in by secondary school students from all across Ireland, with answers from two students and a graduate of the Civil Engineering degree at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. 

    This is presented as part of the Engineers Ireland STEPS Engineers Week 2022. If you are interested in Civil Engineering as a course or career, this episode will be very useful and informative. Some of the questions covered include: 

    How do you decide on Civil Engineering as a course?

    What subjects and skills from secondary school are helpful for Civil Engineering? 

    What are the hours and workload like in a typical week for a Civil Engineering student? 

    What effect does studying Leaving Cert Maths through Irish have on doing Civil Engineering through English?

    What jobs in engineering don't require much hands-on work?

    Are current teachings and maths going to be obsolete by the end of the century?

    Can you work as an independent Civil Engineer?

    What countries can you work in as a Civil Engineer?

    What opportunities do you get in both big and small companies?

    What is a typical day like for a Civil Engineer?

    What are the less appealing aspects to being a Civil Engineer?

    What are you least favourite and most favourite things about being a Civil Engineer?

    Thanks to all those who sent in questions, and thanks to Oisín, Emma and Brian for answering them. 

    Be sure to check out previous episodes of the Being Civil podcast if you want to hear conversations with Civil Engineering graduates from all over the world. All episodes are available via the usual podcast platforms, but the best place to start is by visiting Being Civil • A podcast on Anchor

    For more details on the Engineers Ireland STEPS Engineers Week, check out this website: www.engineersireland.ie/schools

    31 min
  • 12. Emily Alfred

    In this episode, we hear from Emily Alfred, who is currently working as a Senior Resident Engineer on a civil infrastructure project in the Limerick area. Emily describes a typical day in this role, and gives us a great overview of the experience she has gained in her career so far, both in Scotland and in Ireland. As always, there is great advice in this episode for secondary students as well as students currently studying on a civil engineering degree.

    Views expressed may not represent official policies/conduct of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and/or the past/present employers of the guests. Intro music composed by AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist): https://www.aiva.ai. Outro music composed by Isaac.

    46 min
  • Special episode: Engineers Week 2021
    This is a very special episode of Being Civil, as it features questions sent in by secondary school students across Ireland, and answers from two Year 1 students on the Civil Engineering degree at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. This is presented as part of the Engineers Ireland "STEPS Engineers Week".
    If you are interested in Civil Engineering as a course or career, this episode will be very useful and informative. The questions addressed include:
    How did you get interested in Civil Engineering?
    What subjects did you study in secondary school?
    How can secondary school students prepare for the step-up to studying Civil Engineering in college?
    What is a typical week like for a Civil Engineering student?
    What advice would you offer to secondary school students thinking about studying Civil Engineering?
    Thanks to all those who sent in questions, and thanks to Shannon and Daniel for answering them.
    Be sure to check out previous episodes of the Being Civil podcast if you want to hear conversations with Civil Engineering graduates from all over the world.
    All episodes are available via the usual podcast platforms, but the best place to start is by visiting Being Civil • A podcast on Anchor
    For more details on the Engineers Ireland STEPS Engineers Week, check out this website: www.engineersireland.ie/schools
    Music composed by AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist): https://www.aiva.ai
    18 min
  • 11. Christopher Moloney
    In this episode, we hear from Christopher Moloney, who is currently working as a Project Manager in the San Francisco area of California. In that role, Christopher is responsible for a number of groundworks projects ranging in value from $2m to $30m.
    The type of projects which he works on can be seen at this website: https://www.sfpublicworks.org/projects
    Christopher mentions an interesting project in the conversation, which you can learn more about here: Settlement reached over San Francisco's notorious sinking luxury tower | San Francisco | The Guardian
    Views expressed may not represent official policies/conduct of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and/or the past/present employers of the guests.
    Music composed by AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist): https://www.aiva.ai
    31 min
  • 10. Mark Kilkelly
    In this episode I catch up with Mark Kilkelly. Mark is currently based in Washington DC, in the United States. His current role involves designing, planning and overseeing the replacement of water mains in the district. Mark gained experience in Ireland and the UK before making the move to the US, and he gives us a full run-down of what he's learned so far. As always, there are great insights for our current students in this episode as well.
    This is the last full episode of Season 2, but there are some very exciting bonus episodes that are coming soon, and then Season 3 will start in the New Year.
    Views expressed in this episode may not represent official policies or views of the employers (past or present) of either the host or the guest.
    37 min
  • 9. Micheál Burke
    In this episode, I chat with Micheál Burke, who is currently working as Railway Design Manager for ARUP in Bristol, UK.
    Note: The intention of the Being Civil podcast is to present an informative and informal chat with the guests. Topics discussed and views expressed are not intended to reflect official policies or views of either the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology or the employers of the guest.
    25 min
  • 8. Noel O'Ceallaigh
    The guest for this episode is Noel O'Ceallaigh. 
    Noel currently works as an Executive Engineer in the Galway City Council Transportation Department, and his career journey to date includes a mix of the site and design sides of civil engineering. Noel talks about the value of civil engineering as a degree that offers flexibility in career areas, his decision to return as a mature student to gain his Honours Degree, and advice and tips for our current students.
    Note: The intention of the Being Civil podcast is to present an informative and informal chat with the guests. Topics discussed and views expressed are not intended to reflect official policies or views of either the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology or the employers of the guest.
    38 min
  • 7. David McGoey
    The guest for this episode is David McGoey. 
    David currently works as a Construction Manager on a large infrastructure project in Auckland, New Zealand. His career journey to date includes the design side of engineering as well as the construction and management side. David talks about the importance of teamwork and the challenges of working in a seismic region.
    Note: The intention of the Being Civil podcast is to present an informative and informal chat with the guests. Topics discussed and views expressed are not intended to reflect official policies or views of either the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology or the employers of the guest.
    32 min
  • 6. Simon McCarthy
    In this episode, I catch up with Simon McCarthy. Simon is currently a Site Engineer with JJ Rhatigan. In this role, he is responsible for setting out, co-ordination, planning and technical support in construction projects. Prior to this role, Simon spent some time working in the UK. Even though Simon is a relatively recent graduate, he has done a lot and is happy to share his experience and insights into studying, job hunting and working as a civil engineer in this episode.
    Simon's profile on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-mccarthy-aab070b9/
    Note: Guests engage in an informal chat, to allow them to tell the story of their journey. The intention is that this will be informative for prospective students, current students, staff, graduates, employers and anyone with an interest in civil engineering as a career. Views expressed may not represent official policies/conduct of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and/or the past/present employers of the guests.
    36 min
  • 5. Laura Gaffney
    In this episode, I catch up with Laura Gaffney. Laura is a Senior Engineer with Tobin Consulting Engineers in Galway. In addition to sharing her civil engineering story with us, Laura give some excellent (and simple) advice to our current students and she outlines her experience of becoming a Chartered Engineer.
    As always, views expressed do not necessarily reflect official policies and/or views of the current or past employers of the host or the guest.
    37 min

About Being Civil

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The home for Civil Engineers (past and present) of ATU, Galway.