Ken Shimizu

Class year: CEE B.S. '18, M.Eng. '19 in Engineering Management
Job title: Consultant, Construction & Real Estate Advisory Services 
Company: Ernst & Young

Most memorable CEE experience: Being a part of the Steel Bridge team, which annually competes in designing, analyzing, fabricating and constructing small-scale bridges. “Each year, my teammates and I challenged each other to think of new designs, fabrication and welding methods, and ways to engage our broader community with our work,” said Shimizu. “It is truly a unique learning environment.” On occasion the group would fail, he said, but during those times they worked harder to learn from their mistakes, realized their improvements over time, and strengthened their dedication and enthusiasm. 

Advice on entering the workforce: Shimizu encourages graduating students entering the workforce “to seek out new opportunities and strive to learn something new every day. Each person on your team, and you will likely work with many, brings unique perspectives and experiences to the conversation that can enable better understanding and innovation,” said Shimizu. “Actively listening and asking questions will help you leverage these perspectives so that you can continuously learn, empower high-performing teams, and discover new ideas or paths in your career journey.”
     Shimizu also adds technical problem-solving is important not only in engineering, but also in other fields. “The opportunities available at Cornell and the rigorous curriculum will prepare you well in this area, yet it’s critical to be aware of assumptions and what you may not know,” said Shimizu. “Our world is complex and full of uncertainty, and this awareness will further enable you to consider the full spectrum of each problem and ask for help when you need it.”