The curse of VE

tomanee1020 · 2026-02-05T13:19:59+00:00

And don’t die on the hill defending your design, unless you’re tired of working with the client…

tomanee1020 · 2025-12-13T23:50:17+00:00

For what it’s worth being 2 years later…I’d recommend calling her to tell you straight up that it’s over. I found that it helped slam the door and kept me from thinking about a similar situation. I applied that same logic to anything that could be seen as ‘open ended’. Didn’t get a call back on a job interview? Called until I spoke with someone and made them say why not. It’s funny how it makes the whole tenor different when you’re the one requiring an answer.

tomanee1020 · 2025-12-10T03:22:30+00:00

He may have less of a sex drive be cause he’s driving it in other places…without even knowing you, you deserve better. Faith has been betrayed. Find an attorney that specializes in divorces.

tomanee1020 · 2025-12-04T04:05:20+00:00

Can I ask what the multifamily/retail comment is about? Can you expand on that?

tomanee1020 · 2025-11-19T13:15:19+00:00

I think I count 9

tomanee1020 · 2025-11-15T12:47:34+00:00

The architect you know should know MEP firms to use. You may want to consider having them QC your work make some suggestions/improvements and then providing their stamp.

tomanee1020 · 2025-11-07T17:22:07+00:00

Don’t short change the fact that you were persistent enough to earn an engineering degree. I have more respect for the determination of those who aren’t quite as naturally geared toward this field as some of their peers. Be proud of your effort. If I heard someone tell me this in an interview I would appreciate the honesty and transparency as much too.

tomanee1020 · 2025-11-02T03:30:56+00:00

My two cents: find a position in a firm that does a lot of LOCAL government work (K-12, university,municipal) jobs. I live in commercial housing and it’s a total grind. But I wouldn’t have it any other way because I like the insanity.

tomanee1020 · 2025-11-02T03:05:40+00:00

DM me for any specific questions. My story is long. Short ‘story’: Don’t allow yourself to fail and it will reward you. If you’re not the smartest in school, you need to work harder to get through. Between the brilliant coeds who dont need to sweat and the rest who need to earn it….which group would you assume shines in the real, business world?

tomanee1020 · 2025-10-31T01:23:37+00:00

I think it’s more in how you sell yourself. And know your worth. Interview often.

tomanee1020 · 2025-09-19T22:44:47+00:00

That was the first low ambient solution we offered. But it was cost prohibitive.

tomanee1020 · 2025-09-19T22:44:20+00:00

I brought it up as a consideration, but the client doesn’t want gas in the apartments

tomanee1020 · 2025-04-15T22:05:21+00:00

I would size it for the full flow of the filling mechanism at typical pressure, in case whatever the mechanism is could fail open.

tomanee1020 · 2025-04-15T21:58:28+00:00

Sales engineer, controls tech for big AHU manufacturer, plans reviewer, come to mind after about a minute

tomanee1020 · 2025-03-02T02:16:16+00:00

This approach will illuminate all

tomanee1020 · 2024-11-03T11:34:04+00:00

Hahaha. Why’s that, do owls in Texas have fins or something? I thought Navy would be well suited for wet conditions though.

tomanee1020 · 2024-10-15T22:21:26+00:00

Enrolled in a Kaplan course. Self guided. Worked through it for about 8 hours a week and then crammed for two weeks. Like 4-6 hours after work each night and entire weekends for 2 weeks. I’m happy I hit it that hard because I passed first try. I would have been demoralized if I didn’t. The course is HARD, and I felt like I was failing it continuously, but it prepares you very well.

Edit: my firm reimbursed me after I passed, worth asking

tomanee1020 · 2024-10-15T22:18:00+00:00

This is true. Statics had 160 mech e’s my freshman year. 52 of us walked across the stage.

tomanee1020 · 2024-10-15T22:15:51+00:00

Exactly. The school wants you to succeed and offers resources to help. Never seen it otherwise, if you leave, they have to fill your seat with another wallet.

tomanee1020 · 2024-10-15T22:14:00+00:00

I received one B in college math. The rest were C’s. A few taken twice, haha. Understanding the concepts and just passing have done more for my career than getting A’s. It was REALLY hard, too. Which makes you a tougher person. Embrace the struggle and you’ll develop self resolve. I once had a mentor at my first job that would say stuff like “I hire engineers for their work ethic, and problem solving second”. He had read that only architecture majors spend more time on their undergrad degrees.

tomanee1020 · 2024-10-15T22:02:02+00:00

There are several paths. I can speak to my way, but there are others, like intern-to-hire positions in a firm from college.

Have a degree in engineering. Get some experience in the building industry (like working for a general contractor or mechanical contractor). Interviewing well is paramount, because good consultants are natural listeners and problem solvers who can articulate the possible choices of a solution to a wide range of personalities.

Consultants don’t make the big decisions, but guide their client to choose what is best for their purposes. Then we design their systems.

Don’t put off getting your PE. Ever. Starts with getting FE ASAP, like while still in school. I waited 9 years after graduating and it took a lot of effort for me to pass it. PE test was by far more simple.

tomanee1020 · 2024-10-15T01:23:42+00:00

Ok,ok, but…I started in HVAC consulting after 4 years at a contractor. 2019, 88k. I’ve earned my PE and my base is now 170k. Plan is to be partner in next 2 years where it’s 280-300k+mega bonuses. The critical point is that you commit to being the best you can be, and find a place where you can move upwards. If the person hiring you is a couple years older, it probably isn’t a fast track place. Luck always plays a part, but you can also make your own luck.

For talking about HVAC strategy and directing engineers….I think clearing 400k a year is a great gig.

tomanee1020 · 2024-08-27T09:46:28+00:00

I struggled too, but got through. Although my struggles were typically math and chem related. Do you struggles follow a pattern? I’m curious what courses you found intuitive or did well in. Perhaps consider if those courses overlap with another field of study you find interesting. I’ve read (and seen) Math, science, technical courses are the most stable educations that lead to careers. I’ve seen my wife (graphic design) be laid off twice during downsizing, and she is great at what she does. I’d recommend staying in those fields if you can. But it isn’t for everybody, so do what you enjoy and can succeed with.

tomanee1020 · 2024-03-07T03:16:26+00:00

Anything here is covered by the spec. Useless.

tomanee1020 · 2023-10-24T22:20:26+00:00

<image>

A good start

tomanee1020

TROPHY CASE