ENGINEERING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER: An Interview with Jake Tillman, Guernsey Civil Engineer
Jake and his daughter's (3 and 5 years of age) at the Oklahoma Science Museum "learning" about gradients.
On any given day you will find Jake Tillman at his desk intently immersing himself in site plans, analyzing gradients, and strategically planning drainage and sewage systems. With a degree in civil engineering from the University of Oklahoma, Jake’s journey in the field took an unconventional turn after graduation. Following graduation, he served in college ministry where he applied his engineering expertise and communication skills throughout the world, venturing as far as Moscow. Now back Oklahoma, Jake has found his calling at Guernsey, where he actively contributes to ENGINEERING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER. Join us a Jake shares his insights, offering a personal yet professional perspective on the world of civil engineering.
GUERNSEY: WHY DID YOU GET INTO ENGINEERING?
Tillman: Growing up, I leaned toward math and sciences and really enjoyed the disciplines. I loved playing with Legos, and from an early age, my parents said, ‘You love building, you’re going to be an engineer.’
GUERNSEY: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT ENGINEERING?
Tillman: I love seeing the vision come to life, being a part of what’s going on in a community and being able to point out specific projects that I personally had hands-on experience. It’s nice to have a job where you have a starting point and an end point and get to see the result.
GUERNSEY: HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOB TO NON-ENGINEERS?
Tillman: Part of my job is site development. I find it interesting that there are so many things people don’t think about when it comes to what it takes to put up a building. I explain to people where the dirt needs to go, where the water needs to drain, and how to get the utilities to the building. I take care of the things that people DON’T notice, and only notice it when it’s not done properly.
GUERNSEY: WHY ARE ENGINEERS SO IMPORTANT IN OUR SOCIETY?
Tillman: Engineers provide proper infrastructure to create a thriving and safe community. So when you drive over a bridge, you’re not questioning if it will fall down. Engineers are vital to all of us thriving, and growing, and sustaining.
GUERNSEY: WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE IN BECOMING AN ENGINEER?
Tillman: When it comes to civil engineering, there’s a 10-year learning curve before you feel fully confident. I had enough knowledge from college, but you must rely heavily on mentors and more experienced professionals to fine-tune your craft.
GUERNSEY: WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO FUTURE ENGINEERS?
Tillman: High school or college kids should go find opportunities to shadow different engineers in different professions to discover what they like best. For many students, it’s not a bad idea to work in construction for a year to understand what it takes to build what you want to build. Hands-on experience provides a completely different understanding and appreciation.
Jake is set to earn his Professional Engineer (PE) license in the fourth quarter of 2024.