Episode 132 – The Golden Opportunity for Young Engineers to Build Their Careers: Jake Maxey joins “The Construction Corner” podcast with Dillon Mitchell

Young engineers keep asking how to get ahead, stand out, or break into the industry. This episode gives them the real playbook.Jake joins Dillon Mitchell on The Construction Corner Podcast to break down how he built his engineering career from zero connections, zero clarity, and zero direction—into a high-impact operator and now founder of NLS Engineering. Not theory—practical, tactical advice grounded in real experience.Key Topics Covered• Why “showing up” is the unfair advantage most young engineers ignore • The mindset shift that separates high performers from complainers • How Jake broke into AEC with no experience and turned it into a career • Why usefulness—not talent—is the currency that moves careers forward • The real reason career fairs, events, and meetups change everything • Tactical ways to become the person decision-makers want to hire • How to think clearly about anxiety, action, and preparation • Why engineering firms win or lose based on talent, visibility, and courage • The hidden value of mentorship programs like ACE for early-career engineers • How relationships—not résumés—create long-term career momentumActionable Steps• Go to every industry event you can—opportunity is a volume game • Build relationships before you “need” them • Write a real cover letter focused on how you’ll help the firm win • Send video intros when applying—stand out immediately • Learn to call people instead of hiding behind email • Practice being useful: ask clients, contractors, and maintainers what matters • Treat anxiety as a signal to prepare, not freeze • Study the business side of engineering—understand money, timelines, risk • Take responsibility first, blame never • Show up consistently for months—not days—and let the compounding workWho This Episode Is For• Early-career engineers who feel invisible or overlooked • Students who want a roadmap to get hired quickly • Engineers stuck in “wait and see” mode who need to take ownership • High-performers who want more responsibility and impact • Anyone frustrated with the job market and ready to try a better strategyWhy It MattersYour career is built on visibility, usefulness, and action—not wishful thinking. Engineers who consistently show up, contribute, and build relationships win faster, avoid burnout, and create opportunities most people never see. This episode gives you the mindset and tactics to do exactly that.Where to ListenSpotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcastsShareIf this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.