A Career in EPC Projects
Engineering, Procurement, Construction. Three simple words but when combined together, a world in itself. What makes it so special?
Technical, Commercial, Management
EPC projects are a fascinating combination of design, technology, planning, construction, contracts, people management, and risk management. Working in the EPC industry is challenging as well as rewarding. People who thrive in projects, rise to become project managers and often to leadership positions.
But EPC as a Career?
How often we see college graduates considering EPC as their first choice for a career?
Especially if they have lucrative options like Computer Science, IT, Data Science, and Analytics.
And people who are already in the EPC, how many of them are satisfied with their career? And assured that they are on the right career path?
So what is causing this uncertainty? Think of two reasons:
- Lack of awareness
- Lack of self-confidence
Lack of Awareness
Most of us don’t understand the true potential of EPC as a career. So let me hear your thoughts on:
- Which career gives you the option to develop your skills between core technical roles, commercial roles, and planning roles
- Which career is not restricted to just one or two industries but covers a wide range like Oil and Gas, Power, Steel, Cement, Fertilizers, Chemicals, Pharmaceutical, Infrastructure, Solar, Wind, Renewable energy and recent addition Hydrogen projects. I can write a full page on this list!!
Lack of Self-Confidence
The biggest challenge we face in projects is that it is a multi-disciplinary function. If you want to develop yourself as a project professional and become a Project Manager or Project Director, you need to have a good understanding of each discipline.
Let’s list down some roles which we come across in EPC:
EPC Roles
Process Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Piping Engineer
Civil Engineer
Structural Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Instrumentation Engineer
Execution Engineer
Planning Engineer
Project Controls Engineer
Cost Engineer
Construction Engineer
Quality Engineer
HSE Engineer
Procurement Engineer
Contracts Management
Business Development
Marketing Engineer
Too many different and diverse roles. Now a Project Engineer, when attending project meetings may feel that she/he is not able to have full control. Or a Procurement Engineer wants to move to Cost Engineering but lacks the confidence to make a move because she/he doesn’t know about the basics of cost engineering.
And what is the definition of ‘good understanding’ of all disciplines? Does it mean that you need to be an expert in all disciplines?
But can you be an expert in all trades?
Or let us think this way,
Do you really need to be an expert in all trades?
If you observe your project manager or the project leader, they may not be experts in designing, cost estimation, project controls, procurement, contracting, quality, or construction management.
Still, they are able to steer the project through issues arising out of any above fields.
How?
They know ‘What to Know’ in each trade.
This is all you need!
If you have ever felt a need to understand key aspects of each discipline,
You are at the right place!!
5 Responses
Hi,
I am a sr management & business Strategist professional defining GTM for different brands while handling sales/BD/ KAM with P&L in different organisations like anchor panasoni, schneider electric, roca parryware and latest with dormakaba on PAN India roles & looking forward for getting connected with you on given plateform for career opportunities in gp.
Rgds Rajan Gupta 9891251854
Delhi,India
Hi Rajan, great to have you within our network!
Will share exp of quality