Engineer Explains Why It’s an Exciting Time to Enter Field of Electric Engineering

Nick Saffle day in the life photo

Nick Saffle discusses his role as Senior Electrical Substation Engineer and how Nexus supports his professional development goals

What does the typical day in your life look like at Nexus?

I like to begin my day by walking around the Oak Brook office to say hello to the team and see if anyone needs assistance with projects. I want everyone to feel supported at the office. After my rounds, I typically sort through emails and determine which projects need to be prioritized for the day. Our projects all must move along according to their individual schedules, so our team establishes many internal milestones to keep track of progress. This focus on project management keeps us disciplined and allows us to consistently exceed client expectations.

Personally, I like to make a weekly action-item list at the start of every week because I lead several projects simultaneously. As a Senior Electrical Substation Engineer, my primary responsibilities are quite diverse. Some of my daily tasks include reviewing client standards and procedures and client protection specifications, document management, material specification, marking up drawings, and coordinating with both the client and other team members.

How would you describe the culture and Team experience at Nexus’ Oak Brook office?

I am proud of the team we have built at the Oak Brook office. Everyone cares for and supports one another. Beyond that, everyone is great at what they do and brings a different level of experience to the firm. We try to make the most of our time together in the office by asking questions about each other’s projects and working together on solutions. I’d describe it as a collaborative and enriching environment.

Is there a particular project or accomplishment in your career that you are most proud of?

I am most proud of motivating myself over the past year to take on a new job, supporting the opening of a new office for Nexus in the Chicago region, while also pursuing, studying, and obtaining my PE (Professional Engineer) license. I feel like I’ve learned more in the past year than I have in the previous four years of my career combined. This experience has been incredibly rewarding and has significantly broadened my professional horizons at the firm.

What career path are you currently pursuing and how does Nexus support you in your professional development?

I want to pursue a path toward a project manager role where I am strong in my technical abilities and can solve client challenges in a strategic way.  My supervisors have been incredibly supportive of my professional goals and helped me develop a roadmap to achieve them. Over the past year, Nexus acknowledged my dedication both within and beyond the workplace and promoted me to Senior Electrical Engineer I. Nexus also generously reimbursed all expenses related to obtaining my PE license, providing significant support in my professional development.

Why is it exciting to be in the electrical engineering space right now?

It is an exhilarating time to be an electrical engineer in the power industry as the country is actively modernizing and expanding its electrical grid. The shift towards energy independence and the transition from fossil fuels opens a myriad of opportunities for innovation and development. There is a wide variety of projects and a tremendous scope for electrical engineers to contribute to a sustainable future.

I am fortunate enough to work with a client that has a large variety of project scopes and allows me to constantly learn something new in the space of electrical engineering. Being a part of this transformative phase is both challenging and rewarding.

What advice would you give someone who is considering a career in electrical engineering?

I would tell them the path will be challenging and require a lot of hard work, but with determination, anyone can succeed. Engineering is most rewarding for those who enjoy a lifetime of learning. Many experienced power systems engineers are nearing the end of their careers so entering this field now is a great launch pad and opportunity to establish yourself as a changemaker.