DiscoverE is the backbone organization behind National Engineers Week and several other engineering related programs. Its mission is to get students excited about careers in engineering. To celebrate Engineers Week, February 16-22, 2025, we decided to sit down with five employees from our engineering team and ask them about their profession, the future of engineering, and what advice they have for students. This post features mechanical engineer Adam Siemers, PE, VP, from our Brainerd/Baxter office.
What’s the most unusual or interesting thing you’ve encountered during a project?
Interesting things we encounter are that we get to go “behind the scenes” on some neat projects. Climbing ladders to the inside of century-old clock towers, standing on roofs of high-rises and looking over cities, or crawling around in old tunnels under buildings are always interesting!
If you could have a superpower that would help you be a better engineer what would it be?
The ultimate memory! Remembering why you designed something a certain way or what a certain code states would be very helpful.
What advice do you have for students considering a career in engineering?
In class, sit towards the front, be engaged, and ask questions!
Be as well-rounded as you can. Take engineering classes as well as others that interest you. Also, take the class that most people are afraid of — public speaking!
What are your predictions for the future of engineering?
I predict systems will be getting smarter and smarter, so the controls will get more and more complicated. We will need to be well-rounded in more than just system design to be a quality engineer.
How does your work as an engineer impact your community?
Our work allows businesses to operate — roads and parking lots, water and wastewater, or in my case, climate. We deal with all types of weather in Minnesota and it’s difficult to design sometimes. It’s hot and humid in the summer, and can be -30°F and dry in the winter! Sometimes the temperature can jump from -10°F to 50°F within a day or two. This can cause some occupant uproar within a building, which we try to mitigate for clients.
What’s one thing that nobody knows about you?
I’d say most people outside of work do not know that I am a pilot. I have roughly 800 hours of pilot in command and have my instrument and commercial rating. Getting up in the air is one of my favorite things!
If I were to have lunch with you what would you order?
I wish I could say a salad, but it would be a greasy burger and substitute the fries for cheese curds!
Adam Siemers standing on the tarmac preparing for his next thrilling adventure.
