Get to Know Dan, One of Carpenter Marty Transportation’s Newest PEs!

Dan Schmuhl has been with the Carpenter Marty Transportation team for more than five years. He started as an intern and was hired as a full-time project engineer after he completed his Master’s in Civil Engineering at The Ohio State University. Dan is skilled in utility coordination and roadway design, and he is developing a great portfolio with drainage and traffic control design.

Inspiration to pursue a career in engineering

Even at a young age, Dan was interested in art, science, and math. He knew he wanted to leave a positive impact on the world. The more he explored careers involving these subjects, the more he felt drawn toward engineering. One of his earliest science fair projects was testing the capability of different types of bridges. His dad, who is an electrical engineer, helped him build the bridges so he could test the capacity of each. Dan said he has had an interest in engineering ever since!

Best part of working at Carpenter Marty Transportation

There are many reasons why Dan said he likes working at Carpenter Marty Transportation.  “The people and the relationships we have with each other make it easy to communicate and find my path.” He connects with the Carpenter Marty Transportation’s work ethic, commitment to quality, and attention to detail. Client feedback helps reaffirm what makes Carpenter Marty Transportation so great, and Dan takes pride in contributing to Carpenter Marty Transportation’s success. “I always feel like my ideas are heard and assessed, no matter the topic. It’s great to feel valued. We all have a shared vision, which unites us and keeps us focused.”

Hobbies

Dan feels fortunate to be a part of a company that promotes a healthy work-life balance. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, watching movies, playing basketball, and hanging out with his wife, Kelsey.

Fun or interesting fact people might not know

Dan likes technology, which is not surprising to many co-workers. What you may not know is that he built his own personal computer. He is already planning to build another one!

Tips for engineers studying for the PE

Dan’s best piece of advice: set a study schedule. “There is simply too much material to cover at one time, so you have to determine your topics, decide what you want to cover, set the time frame, and buckle down! After scheduling time for each topic, build in extra time for unplanned events or situations. Things come up and you will want to make sure you have accounted for unforeseen circumstances.”

Another tip: work through tons of practice problems. “The best way to gauge how quickly you process questions and complete problems is to take a full, eight-hour practice exam. The second best strategy would be to take the four-hour half practice exams. The PE is tough, but it is worth it.”