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 technical designer Amanda Isaacs, from our Hibbing office.
What’s the most unusual or interesting thing you’ve encountered during a project?
I have spent a lot of time working on swimming pool design which sounds glamorous, but they end up having the same systems over and over and over again!
If you could have a superpower that would help you be a better engineer what would it be?
To see the future needs of a building so that a little more flexibility can be designed into the systems or spaces.
What advice do you have for students considering a career in engineering?
My advice to students considering higher education: Not everyone will be an architect, engineer, doctor, or lawyer. All of those careers require people in supporting roles to help them get their jobs done. I was interested in architecture after high school but was hesitant to leap into seven years of schooling, so I decided to pursue a two-year degree in Building Construction. Years later I went back to school and received a second two-year degree in Architectural Technology (architectural drafting). My education positions me to work in architecture and engineering with support from licensed professionals, making me a true part of a team—something I thrive on.
What are your predictions for the future of engineering?
In the Hibbing office, we are extremely fortunate to have the Iron Range Engineering (IRE) program in our backyard to draw in new talent. In my 10 years at ARI/Widseth, many students have come and gone from this program. It’s beneficial in the short term to have the manpower and provide students with a taste of engineering, but it’s challenging to find potential engineers interested in building a long-term career in this type of building systems engineering. I believe we will continue to face challenges in attracting young engineers to these roles.
How does your work as an engineer impact your community?
I enjoy working on local buildings, especially the schools I attended growing up. It’s fun to go into a building and point out something I worked on to my kids – although they always give me a big eye roll.
What’s one thing that nobody knows about you?
I am the current treasurer of my Rotary Club, and I play clarinet in the Hibbing City Band.
If I were to have lunch with you what would you order?
A Cuban sandwich.
Amanda with her kids and son-in-law.
