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 civil engineer Dustin Fanfulik, PE, VP, from our East Grand Forks office.
What’s the most unusual or interesting thing you’ve encountered during a project?
While installing underground utilities, we often find all sorts of interesting items under roads, ditches, and various properties. Recently, we came across an abandoned vault that holds some historical significance. We had to reroute some utilities around that vault because we couldn’t remove or relocate it.
If you could have a superpower that would help you be a better engineer what would it be?
Many civil engineering projects involve components that are buried underground, such as water, sewer, gas, data, and electrical utilities. It’s hard to know the precise location of these systems. If I had X-ray vision, it would allow me to see underground, revealing not only the exact locations of these utilities but also their conditions.
What advice do you have for students considering a career in engineering?
Gain as much real-world experience as possible and explore various fields, disciplines, and markets within the profession. You might discover a niche that suits your skills and interests, guiding your career path.
What are your predictions for the future of engineering?
I think AI will become an even bigger factor in the future of engineering. AI can help with repetitive tasks and optimizing designs, making projects more efficient.
How does your work as an engineer impact your community?
Civil engineering is crucial to our communities and significantly affects day-to-day life. From the roads, trails, and sidewalks we commute on to the ability to turn on the water faucet or flush the toilet, civil engineers are involved in designing these vital systems. Civil engineers also help protect communities like designing stormwater drainage systems to move water after rain events.
What’s one thing that nobody knows about you?
I play in a lot of in-state and local golf tournaments. Sometimes I go to tournaments in other parts of the country too.
If I were to have lunch with you what would you order?
It depends on where we have lunch, but my go-to is seafood.
Dustin golfing in a tournament at Gamble Sands Golf Resort in Brewster Washington.
