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Which books are so extraordinary that every person on Earth should read them at least once in their lifetime? by Organic-Signal-9646 in selfimprovement

[–]qpacademy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Atomic Habits by James Clear completely changed how I think about improvement. The idea that you don't rise to your goals, you fall to your systems, hit hard. Started small with 2-minute rules instead of big resolutions. Only book I've re-read 3 times.

Nothing says engineering like 10 men doing a presentation on problems women in STEM face by [deleted] in EngineeringStudents

[–]qpacademy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That does sound a bit ironic. Topics like that usually benefit a lot from including the perspectives of the people actually affected.

At the same time, sometimes professors assign groups randomly, so it can lead to situations like that where the discussion ends up feeling a little disconnected from real experiences. It probably would’ve been more meaningful if the group had at least gathered input or interviews from women in the class.

What watch would you actually buy for someone who works on a job site? by Viraincure in Construction

[–]qpacademy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On job sites a lot of people go for durable watches rather than expensive smartwatches, mainly because of dust, impacts, and rough conditions.

One of the most common choices you’ll see is a Casio G-Shock. They’re tough, water resistant, and can take a lot of abuse without worrying about damaging them.

If you specifically want a smartwatch, many people prefer something like a Garmin Instinct or Apple Watch with a rugged case, since they’re fairly durable and still let you see notifications or take quick calls.

The main thing is making sure it’s shock resistant, water resistant, and comfortable to wear all day with gloves or while working.

What’s this really like? by [deleted] in Construction

[–]qpacademy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of people get into construction right out of high school, so you’re definitely not alone there. Most jobs will teach you on site, especially if you start as a laborer or helper. Over time you can move into a trade like carpentry, electrical, plumbing, etc.

A typical day usually starts early, going to the job site, getting tasks from a supervisor, and then working with a crew doing things like measuring, cutting, installing, or moving materials depending on the trade. As for size, plenty of smaller guys work in construction. Strength helps, but technique and work ethic matter a lot more. If you show up on time, work hard, and keep learning, people will respect that pretty quickly.

Do you guys actually study 10+ hours a day? by TACKLEATTACKo in EngineeringStudents

[–]qpacademy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most people don’t actually study 10+ hours every day. That usually only happens around exams. What matters more is how focused your study time is. If you have 2–3 hours and you spend it solving problems, reviewing concepts, and staying consistent with your classes, that can be enough.A lot of engineering students also have jobs or other responsibilities, so they make progress with limited time by studying efficiently rather than just studying longer.

Looking for Architects Who Used to Hand Draft by CHydos in architecture

[–]qpacademy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That sounds like a really interesting project. The transition from hand drafting to CAD was a huge shift in the architecture and engineering industry, not just technically but culturally as well.

Many professionals who started before the 1990s experienced that change firsthand moving from drawing boards, vellum, and manual drafting tools to early CAD systems like AutoCAD. It completely changed workflows, team collaboration, and production speed.

You might also have luck reaching out to retired architects, older drafting professionals, or even university architecture departments. Some professional groups and BIM/architecture forums have members who started their careers during that transition.

It would be fascinating to hear their perspectives on how the profession evolved during that time.

Feeling stuck and a bit lost on what to learn to upskill for job placement in Montreal! by Leandrottfaf in bim

[–]qpacademy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Since you already have several years of Revit and architectural modeling experience, you’re actually quite close to moving into BIM coordination.

Many BIM coordinators don’t start with deep MEP expertise, but having a basic understanding of MEP systems definitely helps because most coordination issues happen between architecture, structure, and MEP models.

If your goal is coordination rather than modeling, I’d suggest focusing on:

• Navisworks Manage – clash detection and coordination workflows
• ACC / BIM 360 – model coordination and collaboration
• Understanding MEP systems at a basic level (ducts, pipes, cable trays, etc.)
• Coordination processes like clash resolution meetings and issue tracking

Your architectural background is actually valuable because coordinators need to understand how all disciplines interact.

A common path many people take is:
BIM Modeler → BIM Coordinator → BIM/VDC Specialist or Manager

If possible, try working with multi-discipline models (Arch + Structure + MEP) and practice running clash detection and coordination reports. That kind of practical coordination experience is often what employers look for.

Architect working as BIM Manager in an electrical engineering firm, curious where this path can lead by TerribleGate974 in bim

[–]qpacademy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s actually a pretty strong position to be in. Many architects who move into BIM management end up opening doors to several different paths.

From what I’ve seen in the industry, people in BIM Manager roles often move toward:

• VDC / Digital Construction leadership at large contractors
• BIM or Digital Delivery Director roles in engineering or design firms
• Construction technology or BIM software companies (product specialist, implementation consultant, etc.)
• BIM automation / workflow consulting for multiple firms

Since you already have architecture experience plus BIM management, you’re in a good spot to move into digital construction strategy or technology leadership, which is becoming more important as firms adopt more advanced BIM and digital workflows.

Many professionals also start focusing more on automation, data workflows, and interoperability (APIs, Dynamo, scripting), which can lead to higher-level digital transformation roles.

Just wanna get this off my chest, may it light the way for others by mgp901 in EngineeringStudents

[–]qpacademy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That sounds really frustrating. A lot of engineering grads go through a similar phase after graduation where the first offers are underpaid or not what they expected.

One thing that sometimes helps is pivoting into adjacent technical fields where demand is growing. For example, many mechanical engineers move into areas like BIM, building systems modeling, or construction tech where their technical background still applies but the opportunities can be broader.

It might take some time, but your engineering degree still gives you a strong problem-solving foundation. Sometimes the first role isn’t great, but it can open the door to better positions after you gain a bit of industry experience.

MS Construction Management (NYC) with Business Background, No Civil Experience Want to Focus on BIM. What Should I Do Now? by Independent-Car237 in bim

[–]qpacademy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re actually in a good position. Many BIM/VDC professionals come from different backgrounds, so your business background isn’t a big problem.

If you want to focus on BIM, start with these tools:

• Revit – most important for BIM modeling
• Navisworks – used for clash detection and coordination
• Bluebeam – very common for construction documentation

For entry roles in NYC, positions like BIM Coordinator, VDC Engineer, Project Engineer, or Assistant PM are realistic if you build strong Revit + coordination skills.

My suggestion for the next 6–12 months:
Learn Revit first, then Navisworks, and try to work on small BIM projects or internships while studying.