experience
Ryan Page is a principal and civil manager for the Greenville, South Carolina office. Joining Thomas & Hutton in 2014, Page has over 16 years of experience with land development and infrastructure design related to industrial, municipal, commercial, residential, and institutional projects. He is an active South Carolina Economic Developers Association and American Council of Engineering Companies member.
When and how did you know you wanted to pursue engineering as a career?
My first memory of engineering was in middle school when a structural engineer visited our class, split us into pairs, and challenged us to see which team could structurally support a textbook using the fewest sheets of notebook paper. I remember enjoying the challenge (we won), and it gave me an early introduction to the engineering field.
By my junior year of high school, I knew I wanted to pursue engineering in college. I enjoyed problem-solving and had a strong interest in math and science, so engineering felt like a natural fit.
What advice would you give others who are debating whether or not to get their P.E. license?
I would recommend getting a professional engineer’s license. Earning the license is a career milestone, and for me, it was something that I had worked on for almost a decade, working toward the goal in college and then working four years under the direction of a professional engineer. Becoming a professional engineer creates additional career opportunities, allows you to take greater responsibility and ownership in your work, and allows you to sign your designs. I would also recommend taking the PE exam as early as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it is to get back into studying and preparing for exams.
People often don’t realize the important work professional engineers do to help keep the public safe. Why do you think professional engineers are so important to helping protect the safety and welfare of the public?
Professional engineers play an important role in protecting the safety and welfare of the public because the decisions we make can have a direct impact on people’s everyday lives. As civil engineers, we design infrastructure that people depend on every day, including roads, utilities, stormwater systems, bridges, and other public and private infrastructure.
One of the fundamental responsibilities of a professional engineer is to hold the safety, health, and welfare of the public paramount. To me, that responsibility is one of the most important aspects of being a P.E. It means applying sound engineering judgment, designing in accordance with established standards, practicing within our areas of expertise, and being willing to identify and address potential risks even when doing so may be difficult or unpopular.
How has your P.E. license benefited you in your career?
Obtaining my P.E. license was the foundation for advancing my career in civil engineering consulting. Taking on more responsibility created more opportunity for professional growth.
