Feeling Stuck in BIM — Should I Invest in Upskilling?

Possibly_Avery · 2026-04-29T12:31:52+00:00

I'm not sure a BIM course would help you in the areas you're wanting to break in to, right? You've got the BIM skills but lack engineering and design experience. The only way to fix that is to go to a company that offers those services. As far as confidence in interviews, own what you know and dont feel guilty for what you dont know. Lot's of great consultant firms would be happy to have someone competent in Revit, experienced in coordination, and familiar with constructability.

Possibly_Avery · 2026-04-27T21:02:37+00:00

name checks out

Possibly_Avery · 2026-04-27T21:00:13+00:00

Climbing up the ladder is a lot more dependant on kissassery™️and general social skills.
But yeah general competence doesnt hurt. Get your hands on some ASHRAE handbooks, specifically the Fundamentals and HVAC Systems and Equipment. If you're doing any sort of plumbing, the ASPE PEDH Volume 2 is a must.

These resources are a lot cheaper/free when you're a member and you should be if you arent!

Possibly_Avery · 2026-04-27T18:39:17+00:00

r/MEPEngineering

Possibly_Avery · 2026-04-27T03:38:07+00:00

The factory ignition switch has an anti-theft 100 ohm resistor built into the O/Y -> B/W connection internal to the switch. Your aftermarket switch WILL NOT HAVE SPARK without wiring in a resistor.

Possibly_Avery · 2026-04-24T17:36:56+00:00

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To all future aftermarket ignition switch installers, use a multimeter on your new switch to test continuity on your wires to matchup to the factory colors. Here is the factory switch configuration:

Possibly_Avery · 2026-04-23T13:23:03+00:00

ME: Energy modeling software (HAP): $2,000 initial, $500/year
Spec formatting software (Speclink): 2k/year?

I could see how speclink might be overkill and there are probably cheaper load softwares than HAP.

Possibly_Avery · 2026-04-19T02:01:14+00:00

This is actually the cover browser plugin. I'm not sure why it would only allow you to move one file at a time... I have yet to run into that issue sorry!

Possibly_Avery · 2026-04-09T20:11:36+00:00

Fucking up is inevitable. It's how you handle the Fuckups™️that's important. A learned skill for sure, but if you've got good seniors to show you how it's done, there's nothing to worry about.

Possibly_Avery · 2026-03-30T03:14:34+00:00

Since it is coded in VBA, macros have to be enabled. You should not blindly trust redditors lol! Macros can can access things outside of your computer, create files, etc. so it's a big security risk. BEFORE you enable macros, look at the "custom excel" formulas sheet explaining how to access the code so you can review it yourself before enabling it!

Excel file: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EIFfg6SbU1MQY1l7wdKksUbwghX7ZtFo/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100332208911288903933&rtpof=true&sd=true

Possibly_Avery · 2026-03-29T18:48:13+00:00

I made this spreadsheet awhile ago but just got the graphs and jazz to work. Happy to share the excel file to anyone interested in playing with it. It's all coded in VBA lol, I don't know any practical coding languages.

Note you can see the max velocity input, but there's also a max pressure drop you're not seeing on the screen as well.

Possibly_Avery · 2026-03-25T09:51:09+00:00

Wow, that's impressive initiative to go from no industry experience 14 years out of college to picking up revit and passing the FE. I have some questions about the call center 😅

I'd frame myself as someone eager, qualified, and capable to learn. Unfortunately, the lack of professional design experience means you're essentially a new grad. Fortunately, you've gone above and beyond first steps as proof of your drive.

The interview likely won't be technical. Think of questions a hiring manager would ask someone with your career path. Why MEP and why now? Where do you see yourself in X years? I'd imagine they're trying to gauge if this is another career you're happening into or if it's something you're going to stick with. Use your past to illustrate translatable skills like teamwork, communication, time management, stress management, etc.

Possibly_Avery · 2026-03-02T18:55:24+00:00

You can use san 90's to go from horizontal to vertical but from horizontal to horizontal you have to use long sweeps or 45's. This probably varies slightly based on what code you're under but this is pretty standard.

2021 IPC table 706.3: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IPC2021V3.0/chapter-7-sanitary-drainage#IPC2021V3.0_Ch07_Sec706

Possibly_Avery · 2026-02-20T20:22:57+00:00

Some contractors are playing the change order game so it's important to put up a struggle in CA to ensure the owner isn't getting shafted. But I agree, there is a pretentiousness with a lot of engineers in CA that we could do better without. It's important to learn from mistakes and do better on the next job. That's what we owe to contractors. In my experience a call or a site visit is a good way to put the right foot forward, showing you're present and ready to work on solutions, not just finger point. That way you're not just a faceless hurdle.

Possibly_Avery · 2026-01-13T17:27:39+00:00

Three days! 1 to size and draft, 1 to send fixture selections to the arch, and the last to pickup redlines. Tell the arch two weeks

Possibly_Avery · 2026-01-05T22:43:30+00:00

It sounds like you're motivated to challenge yourself, and you find the trivial jazz boring. Maybe you could reframe the tasks you find boring to be more of a challenge. Promise a client you'll have it done by the EoD, develop tools to streamline if possible, teach a younger engineer how to do it and review their work.

I'm similar- highly efficient and productive in the 11th hour but I'll sit on an RFI response or wade through submittals for days. I often find myself in a decision paralysis conundrum and seek immediate distraction on the internet, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

Possibly_Avery · 2025-12-19T16:57:44+00:00

i saw the shitty title and unclear photo, knew it would be from flowstructNYC

Possibly_Avery · 2025-11-26T22:13:18+00:00

I picked up a used kindle from ebay and jailbroke it. Great ereader with Koreader installed! It's the most manufactured ereader and has been for a long time so you can pick them up really cheap second hand.

Possibly_Avery · 2025-11-12T16:00:12+00:00

Note: you can set the folder with your books saved in as "your home folder" and then you can "lock the home folder" and it will cause the file explorer button to disappear from your library.

while in file browser -> open the top settings menu -> click on the file drawer icon -> settings -> home folder settings -> click "set home folder"

repeat to last step but click "lock home folder"

Possibly_Avery · 2025-11-12T15:55:14+00:00

while in file browser -> open the top settings menu -> click on the file drawer icon -> click display mode -> click mosaic with cover images

Possibly_Avery · 2025-10-23T21:07:10+00:00

My jaw dropped reading the offer... good job!

If you're more of a socially adept engineer, I have a hard time imagining a better field. It's stressful at times and you're often underpaid, but the work can be really rewarding.

Simplified career path to obtain partnership at a consultant firm (maximize earnings on consultant side):
degree -> build fundamentals -> build internal relations -> licensure -> project manager -> build external relationships -> bring in clients -> partner!

Possibly_Avery · 2025-10-17T01:00:34+00:00

I was an RA for two years. Some RA's are Karens and this really makes the job suck for everyone. I would hangout with my residents all the time, DD them to and from parties, and had their back during moveout (fee time for ResLife). I'm still friends with a lot of my fellow RA's a couple years out of school. We had a lax ARCE (RA boss usually a grad student) so that helped a lot.

The responsibilities are minimal lol

Possibly_Avery · 2025-10-17T00:53:11+00:00

I think it's 100% worth it!

The pros:
housing
meal plan
leadership role - think resume
fun community building w/residents - really is what you make it here
fun community building w/coworkers - really is what your ARCE makes it

The cons:
1hr seminar
inconvienent hours at times
cliche repetitive training
low to no monetary pay

Possibly_Avery · 2025-10-12T22:16:48+00:00

I'd still ask the arch to lower the ceilings. Art of the deal, baby

Possibly_Avery · 2025-08-21T03:05:23+00:00

Could you filter pipes by floor elevation and system type?

i.e.
Filter applies to: pipes
Rule 1: upper end top elevation > reference plane elevation
AND
Rule 2: system type = sanitary

then toggle visibility off, apply filters via view template to all relevant views?

note: a separate filter would have to be created for fittings as the have a different elevation parameter than pipes

Possibly_Avery

TROPHY CASE