Donte Parker

Arizona's semiconductor boom: 40+ expansions, $102B invested, 15,700+ jobs created since 2020. The challenge? 115,000 MORE workers are needed by 2030, and half those jobs risk going unfilled. The solution? Apprenticeship programs with 90% retention rates are proving that strategic workforce development works.

8

🎤 How to Stand Out to Hiring Managers DURING INTERVIEWS 🚦 In California’s transportation engineering sector, interviews are more than just technical Q&A—they’re your chance to show how you think, communicate, and lead. Here are 5 ways to make a positive lasting impression: 🔹 1. DO YOUR RESEARCH Whether it’s Caltrans, a city agency, or a private consultant, research their recent projects, values, and priorities. Show you understand their mission. 🔹 2. PREPARE S.T.A.R STORIES & KEEP THEM TO THE POINT Use the Situation–Task–Action–Result format to answer behavioral questions. For example: “Tell me about a time you resolved a design conflict.” And make sure you stay on topic- you will lose a hiring manager’s attention if you talk over 2 minutes typically. 🔹 3. SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE Mention tools and standards they use—like Civil 3D, Synchro, or Caltrans HDM. Align your experience with their workflows. 🔹 4. ALWAYS ASK THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS Go beyond “What’s the team like?” or “How much PTO would I get?” Ask about upcoming infrastructure challenges, sustainability goals, or how they approach public engagement. 🔹 5. SHOW YOUR ENTHUSIASM Hiring managers want someone who’s not just qualified—but excited and they can see as a “culture fit”. Let your passion for transportation/your community impact and personality shine through. This can be displayed by having positive facial expressions/body language/tone of voice, and dressing the part for video call/in person interviews! 💬 What’s one interview tip that helped you land your last role? Let’s share and support each other! #Califiornia #Californiajobs #transportation #transportationjobs #transportationengineering #trafficengineering #roadway #highway #transit #rail #landsurveying #InterviewTips #CivilEngineeringJobs #CaliforniaCareers #Caltrans #EngineeringInterviews #CareerGrowth #hiringmanager 📨christina.jones@lviassociates.com 📞415-228-7028

14

Project Announcement: $3B Phoenix Data Center "Project Borealis" Novva Data Centers has announced plans for a $3 billion hyperscale campus in Mesa, Arizona, marking one of the largest data center investments in the region. The 160 acre site will be home to five data halls totaling 1.3 million sqft and will deliver 300MW of capacity when fully built out. The first 96MW phase is set to be complete by late 2026. The project was announced in mid 2024, and the project will be completed in phases over the next decade. General Contractor: TBD Client: Novva Data Centers Award: Data Center Value: $3 Billion Location: Mesa, Arizona Follow ➡️ Lewis Michael Consultants 📨 Get construction news delivered to your inbox, join TheJobWalk Newsletter—link in profile. #Construction #ConstructionJobs #DataCenters #DataCenterJobs #Hiring #MissionCritical #AdvancedTech #AI #Innovation #Tech #Development

787

28 Comments

Project Announcement: $200M Semiconductor Expansion WA Garco Construction secured a $200 million semiconductor expansion for Solstice Advanced Materials in Spokane Valley, Washington. The project recently broke ground and will significantly expand the company’s production footprint. Construction activity is expected to ramp up over the coming years as the facility scales. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2029. Owner/Client: Solstice Advanced Materials General Contractor: Garco Construction, Inc. Sector: Semiconductor/Advanced Manufacturing Value: $200 Million Location: Spokane Valley, Washington Follow ➡ Lewis Michael Consultants Follow ➡ TheJobWalk 📨 Stay informed on major US construction projects & trends. Subscribe to TheJobWalk Newsletter - link in profile. #Construction #Semiconductor #Manufacturing #Washington #Spokane #Infrastructure #ProjectAnnouncement #AdvancedManufacturing

216

3 Comments

Arizona's semiconductor boom: 40+ expansions, $102B invested, 15,700+ jobs created since 2020. The challenge? 115,000 MORE workers are needed by 2030, and half those jobs risk going unfilled. The solution? Apprenticeship programs with 90% retention rates are proving that strategic workforce development works.

6

Exciting news for South Dakota as Applied Digital plans to establish a massive $14 billion, 400 MW data center in the next 28 months. The project in Deuel County is set to attract an estimated investment of $4.3 to $5.5 billion from Applied Digital and its clientele, with a potential overall project impact ranging between $10 to $16 billion. Situated on a 150 to 200-acre site east of Toronto, near the gas turbine tower and gas pipeline, the facility will feature two substantial data center buildings, each spanning approximately 907,500 square feet, and boasting a combined power load of 400 to 430 MW. Within each building, around 150 MW will be allocated to the internal compute equipment, while the remaining power will be dedicated to the cooling systems. For more details, check out the link: https://Inkd.in/gnhkcYCpl

171

8 Comments

This could be a great case study that highlights the importance of quality of hire. Notably, none of the three Packers quarterbacks were drafted in the top half of the first round, while the other NFC North teams selected 10 quarterbacks in that range. A quality hire is not necessarily the most impressive profile on paper; rather, it is the candidate with the highest probability of success within your specific environment. The Packers' scouting, coaching, and development systems are well-aligned, allowing them to select quarterbacks who fit their model instead of pursuing costly draft board hype. This strategic approach emphasizes the value of understanding and optimizing the hiring process to achieve long-term success.

496

66 Comments

Edged Tops Out Phoenix Data Center: Major Milestone for Arizona Tech Infrastructure Edged has officially topped out its newest facility in Mesa, Arizona, during a ceremony alongside local contractor Haydon Building Corp. Key Highlights: 🔹The 36MW facility, known as Edged Phoenix, will be fully operational by late 2025 🔹Innovative waterless cooling system from sister company ThermalWorks supporting up to 70kW per rack (air cooling) and 200kW (liquid cooling) 🔹Light Source Communications announced as first network provider 🔹Two-story, 210,000 sq ft facility set on 12 acres at 8811 E. Warner Road Edged CEO Bryant Farland emphasized the company's commitment to safety standards and celebrated securing Light Source Communications as their first network provider, a crucial step in building their connectivity ecosystem. This development adds to Edged's growing global portfolio across the US (Missouri, Texas, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois) and Europe (Spain and Portugal). The project represents significant investment in next-generation infrastructure designed to support increasing demands for AI and high-performance computing capabilities. #DataCenter #TechInfrastructure #DigitalTransformation #Arizona #CloudComputing

41

2 Comments

In Santaquin, #Utah, a different kind of data center project is taking shape: a 200MW+ facility designed to run entirely off‑grid using on‑site natural gas generation. ⛽ ⚡ Called the Summit Ridge Data Center and developed by DCPC - Data Center Power Company, the site will rely on its own engines for all electricity rather than tapping into the local utility. It’s located roughly 65 miles south of Salt Lake City and will use a closed‑loop cooling system. 👀 Although the project was approved back in 2024, it’s only now coming onto many residents’ radar as local officials hold public meetings to outline what’s being built. ⌛ This is part of a broader shift in strategy: as grid connections become slower and more complex, some developers are opting for fully self‑powered designs to keep projects on schedule. #DataCenters #OffGrid #NaturalGas MXI Partners Matt Hafford Michael Ferguson Gabe Lyell Georgiana Dabica Ciaran Hickey

225

31 Comments

An engineer loves San Diego. She's also limiting her career to a 50-mile radius. Yesterday she passed on two strong opportunities in Orange County because "the commute isn't worth it." Both paid $15-20k more than local options. I see this constantly. Engineers choosing lifestyle over career advancement. Only considering Orange County roles (new mom, understandable). Staying in San Diego despite better opportunities in Irvine. Prioritizing proximity to family over growth. Sometimes geography makes sense: family medical situations (real priority), spouse's career, cost of living benefits, quality of life that money can't buy. Sometimes it doesn't: "I just like it here" without doing the math. Avoiding 45-minute commutes for $20k+ increases. Limiting options to one city in your 20s and 30s. The math: her choice costs her $20k per year. Over 10 years that's $200k in lost income, plus reduced retirement savings and slower career growth. Smart geographic strategies I see: moving to Lake Tahoe but accepting remote/travel work. Being open to Bay Area moves for the right opportunity. Considering 60-day relocations for better positions. Geographic flexibility early in your career creates options later. Every "no" based purely on location is a bet that better opportunities will appear locally. Questions to ask yourself: what am I actually avoiding? How much is that avoidance costing me per year? What would I do with an extra $20k? How do you balance location preferences with career opportunities?

15

14 Comments

🎓 One piece of advice to stand out at a career fair: Know what you like!   When you walk up to a recruiter’s booth and say something like: “I’m really interested in transportation design and would love an internship where I can work on bridge design,” - you immediately stand out.   It shows that you’ve done some self-reflection, understand your interests, and are genuinely excited about what you want to learn.   Compare that to a student who says, “I’ll take any internship I can get.” It’s a big difference!   Having direction (even if it changes later) shows initiative, confidence, and passion - three things every employer looks for.   #CareerFairTips #StudentAdvice #Internships #Construction #Engineering #Recruiting

38