Sometimes the well-known drawbacks to engineering and construction careers—countless hours in front of a computer screen or moving from town to town for new projects—seem to overshadow the inspiring aspects of working in the industry. How can construction emphasize the heroic possibilities? We could talk about, for instance, how Bernard Amadei founded Engineers Without Borders, a worldwide network that helps to lift people out of poverty in developing nations. ENR recognized his effort in 2009.
We can remind people about Kathi Littmann's accomplishment: planning new and improved schools for the children in Los Angeles. She was honored by ENR in 2003. Or think about Robert A. Tintsman, who rallied the staff of Morrison Knudsen Corp. after the firm fell into a financial abyss. He was our focus in 1996.