Did you know, right after high school, what you wanted to do with your life? For most people, even those with a strong inclination when they are kids, it takes time, patience, proper support and guidance, and multiple experiences.  Today, I'm joined by Jim Gardler, Director of MEP Operations at Bala Consulting Engineers, to talk about his vocational discovery journey, the moment he realized he wanted to be a mechanical engineer, and the choices and experiences that led him to develop a successful career in the construction industry.  Throughout our conversation, you'll hear about Jim's passion for taking things apart to understand how they worked, how he progressed from mechanical engineer to project manager to working with commissioning, and finally, his position as a Director at Bala. Jim also talks about the several certifications he worked on to "put his money where his mouth is" and keep growing as a professional, his love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, how it stimulates not only his physical but his mental health, and shares his thoughts on the choice every kid faces after finishing high school.  Some Questions I Ask: When you were a teenager, did you know you wanted to be an engineer? (4:00)Could you talk about your consulting experience at Polaris? (19:40) In This Episode, You Will Learn: Jim talks about his first steps in engineering (8:40)About Jim's passion for working hands-on (16:50)What is commissioning? Jim talks about his first experiences in the field (23:30)A bit about Bala's culture (32:00)Jim's thoughts on "doing hard things every day for an easy life" (40:00)Jim shares terrific advice for high schoolers thinking about joining the construction industry (45:10) Connect with Jim: LinkedIn Let's Connect! LinkedInInstagram TwitterMPC Builders - WebsiteMPC Builders - Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.