Carrie Whitehead (ME) - CMTA Engineering Consultants

CMTA Consulting Engineers is a consulting company that designs mechanical and electrical systems for architects or building owners.

During my second tour at CMTA, I was able to improve my communication skills, obtained more information/input on the expectations of an engineering consultant, and was given more responsibilities within the company.

I have found that exceptional communication is the key to a well designed a project, and it's important to have good communication with your clients to ensure that you are designing the intended system.

I've found that a large portion of design is not only what complies with the appropriate codes, but also a great of deal of work is to make that design one that appeals to clients, be it an owner or architect of a particular building. Then, there is the money aspect of the design. The engineer must be aware of all the wants and needs of their client. And, it's usually the case that the client wants the most esthetic building they can get on their budget.

During my work tour, I was given more responsibility by being assigned a small project that was supervised by a principal engineer. Along with the guidance of the engineers at CMTA, I used several thermodynamics and fluids references. Looking back upon the completion of the project, I realized how fortunate it is to have had some correlating classes, and I look forward to learning more through the next semester to eliminate some of my ignorance to help prepare me for my third tour. I would highly recommend this co-op experience if you enjoyed your thermodynamic courses. As one example, I used a psychometric chart to help select the appropriate unit for the project.

Due to the fact that you have already built relationships with co-workers, understand the computer software, and have a basic understanding of producing the best design possible for the client as you enter your second tour, you are able to concentrate more on the design aspect.

During the project, an engineer must collect enough data to ensure that the design is appropriate for use. For example, such data requires one to find the loads of the building. To adequately run building loads you must calculate a ventilation requirement that meets the up-to-date code, know the make-up of the building, and the orientation of the building.

I gained more thorough knowledge of mechanical systems by being a part of a big portion of a design project. Along with designing a project, I completed various plumbing submittals, attended more site visits, and attended some client meetings. Both site visits and client meetings were informative in their own ways. On the site visits, I was able to witness a geothermal well field being bore, problems arising during construction being solved (i.e. piping that wasn't insulated properly), and existing HVAC equipment and duct that is to be demolished due to the fact that the renovation will require elevated ceiling heights. By attending client meetings, I was able to see firsthand how a project is coordinated in an effort to create a successful building.

After working at CMTA, it's hard to not look up at the ceiling of a building you enter, heck out the design, and then ask yourself how would or could you make that design more appealing. And then of course you begin to wonder how you've become the type of person who finds appeal in a sidewall diffuser; but that's just the appreciation of an engineer's design that goes un-noticed in our everyday life.