Daniel Calabro, a structural engineer and founder of Ferris, shares his passion for civil engineering born from a personal tragedy. He discusses the critical talent crisis looming over the industry, forecasting a shortage of civil engineers by 2031. The conversation explores the competition from tech fields and under-marketing of engineering roles. Calabro argues for innovative retention strategies beyond salary increases, emphasizes error reduction through automation, and champions using AI as tools to enhance both learning and efficiency in engineering.
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insights INSIGHT
AEC: Foundation of Society
The AEC industry forms the essential foundational layer of society's built environment.
This foundational role ensures civil engineering's relevance despite technological changes.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Starting Amidst Disaster
Daniel's first day in South Florida was immediately after the Surfside building collapse.
He worked hands-on in field inspections and design, experiencing the demanding engineering lifestyle firsthand.
insights INSIGHT
Engineering Talent Crisis Forecast
A major talent shortage in civil engineering is emerging with supply tapering while demand rises.
By 2031, the U.S. may have only 10 civil engineers for every 26 job openings, risking severe workforce gaps.
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This week we are in conversation with Daniel Calabro, structural engineer and founder at Ferris.
00:00 – 03:01 | Foundations and Futures Exponential growth, the foundational role of AEC industries, and a personal origin story rooted in the events of 9/11 set the tone for Daniel Calabro’s passion for structural engineering.
03:01 – 07:16 | School, Steel, and South Florida A college football career at RPI, a surprise love for Python, and a move to South Florida during COVID all led to hands-on experience designing steel connections for NASA’s Artemis launch tower with Bechtel.
07:16 – 12:03 | Talent Crisis in Engineering A detailed look at the declining supply of civil engineers and Daniel’s data-backed projection that by 2031, only 10 engineers will be available for every 26 job openings in the U.S.
12:03 – 16:09 | Losing the Narrative Cultural competition from tech companies and content creation platforms is siphoning away potential engineers, while engineering remains under-marketed and misunderstood.
16:09 – 20:52 | Value, Risk, and Retention The profession’s high-risk, moderate-pay equation is explored alongside burnout, respect, and why retaining engineers requires more than just raising salaries.
20:52 – 29:28 | Error Reduction and AI Assistants Reducing mistakes is framed as the industry’s biggest efficiency lever, with Daniel proposing automation tools that double as educational systems—what he calls “recipes.”
29:28 – 37:09 | Crutches and Calculators A philosophical conversation unfolds on whether AI creates dependency or simply represents the next evolution of engineering tools, much like calculators or CAD.
37:09 – 46:03 | Designing the Future AI’s rapid creative evolution is examined, from sentiment analysis to generative art, along with why civil engineering must embrace these tools before falling behind.
46:03 – 52:58 | Pride, Projects, and Purpose Engineering is reframed as a purpose-driven profession with power to shape communities, inspire wonder, and earn respect—if the industry is willing to tell that story more loudly.
52:58 – 53:04 |Final Word The episode closes with appreciation, optimism, and a challenge to engineers everywhere: take pride, take ownership, and take the mic.
Go build something awesome!
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