
In this episode Dell Shannon, the Chief Dam Engineer at Kiewit and past president of the US Society on Dams, talks about his 30-year-long career. He shares how he took an unconventional path after being weeded out of engineering and completing a degree in journalism. Through luck and family inspiration, Dell started his career writing proposals for a geotechnical firm before eventually completing a masters in civil engineering. He recounts his experience as the lead designer on one of the first design-build dams in the U.S., an experience that significantly influenced his approach to future projects.
Dell stresses the importance of staying curious and asking questions, even if they challenge the status quo. He encourages young engineers to not be afraid to ask questions, asserting that the pursuit of better, more efficient solutions is crucial in civil engineering.