MAGANA, Jericho Bryan T.

October 22, 2019

CE-103

Journal Writing # 6

In preparing construction documents, what are the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies an
engineering student should obtain in the undergraduate program?
First of all, it takes a lot of challenges in order to be an Engineer especially in today’s highly
competitive world. The foundation for civil engineering, is an understanding and working knowledge of
science. Engineering students need to have a thorough knowledge and understanding of Mathematics
which will be required for the calculations of every proportion of every building structure. Engineering
students should also have written communication skills because nowadays, civil engineers at every level
required to be able to communicate via written reports and correspondence in a clear and concise way. It
also requires communicating with elected officials, citizens, and others who doesn’t possess backgrounds
when it comes in engineering or science. But not just written communication skills that the students need,
they also need to be good when it comes to oral communication skills. It is necessary for civil engineers
when explaining complex information to the people they work and interact with so they can be able to
share their ideas with each other. In order to obtain an engineering degree, students must also be good
when it comes to decision-making. As a civil engineer, they need to have confidence in themselves and in
their team for providing accurate and useful information in order to make decisions that are precise and
effective. As the time passes by, the technology evolves, so as the future engineers. Future civil engineers
have the opportunity to strengthen their skillsets more and each new skill could help them land their
dream job.

How will experience play an important role in preparing of these documents?

An experienced engineer will contribute to these documents by verifying that every calculation is
clear and concise. Engineers should have these calculations peer-reviewed and all calculations should be
quality checked by a competent professional in the field of endeavor. They can also help when it comes to
problem solving that may be part of an overall larger project. Experienced engineers can be very
productive when it comes to their responsibilities. They are responsible for facilitating the permit process.
They are also responding to the requests for information from the contractor in order for them to gain
clarification or to confirm the interpretation of a detail, specification, or note on the construction
drawings. It is also used to secure a documented directive and often results in a change to the scope of
requiring changes in project budget and schedule. They are the one who reviews the steel fabrication
drawings which is a drawing that shows the fabrication of structural steel components. They are also
reviewing other submittals to verify that the contractor has purchased the products required in the plans
and specifications. Also, they are making recommendations to the owner regarding construction payments
and documenting installation instructions. They are more experienced when it comes to those
responsibilities as a civil engineer. In order to make the construction documents prepared and done, they
are the one who is also a great help for making it done.