An international company, but everyone at a work site speaks Uchinaguchi
T-san, can you briefly describe your job?
I am a project engineer on site for building renovation work on U.S. military bases. We prepare necessary documents for project commencement, their English translations, and construction drawings. Once these documents are approved, we request our partner companies to execute their jobs, and I’m involved in construction management, safety management, cost management, environmental checks, and confirmation of delivery dates. In many cases, coordinators provide support with interpretation and translation when communicating with the Project Owner, but in my case, I directly communicate the requirements, hold meetings, and prepare documents.
Why did you choose to work at AEC?
I studied Environmental Architecture at university. During that time, I went to Seattle to study English. I asked my father if there was a construction company where I could use English, and he recommended me AEC. I searched for a company that would enable me to use my English, both within and outside Okinawa, and AEC was the only company that suited my preferences, so I chose AEC without hesitation.nnBefore I joined AEC, I had thought that the engineers would be speaking English very fluently, but when I entered the Company, I was a bit relieved to find that everyone at the work site was speaking Uchinaguchi or Okinawan dialect. I happened to be interested in English when I joined the Company, but if you are an engineer, there is no problem even if you do not speak English.
It gets extremely exciting when work arrangements fit together like a puzzle!
When do you find your job enjoyable and at what kind of moment do you get a sense of accomplishment in working?
Our projects mainly involve installation of new equipment in existing buildings. Most of the buildings where we work are old, and the measurements of the new equipment do not match those of the existing ones. Therefore, before installing new equipment, we check the size of the new equipment against the size of the existing equipment. After the equipment is laid, water pipes and ducts are connected, and the hard work involved in installing the equipment gives us a great sense of accomplishment when the construction is completed.nnOf course, we cannot do it alone. We consult with our professional team, partner companies, technicians, and other professionals to process our project. It is very rewarding and fun to work together in this way to create something big. It is extremely exciting when the work arrangements fit together like a puzzle and the construction proceeds smoothly.
New ways of working and work-life balance created by the division of labor.
What do you like about working at AEC?
I have studied English, hence I find it fascinating to be able to closely communicate with the Project Owner in English. Since we have many opportunities to negotiate and prepare in English, it is an environment where you can naturally improve your English. Even if you don’t speak English, there is nothing to worry about as there are many engineers who are active in the field despite language barriers.nnAEC has departments specialized in estimating and construction drawings, fire suppression system, IT system, and security system. I can proceed with projects by consulting with experts in each of these fields. This is very helpful because it allows me to process projects by concentrating on my own role. I feel that this division of labor shows how progressive AEC is in adopting a new way of working in construction industry.nnAnother attractive point is that it is easy to take days off and I am completely free on weekends. I’d like to acquire many qualifications while I am still in my 20s, so I appreciate the fact that I can devote my weekends to studying for achievement of this goal. I feel that the Company offers a good work-life balance.
I want to be a specialist in both architecture and building facilities to improve the worksite.
Going forward, in what kind of roles do you want to challenge yourself?
I am currently working toward becoming a 1st Class Architect, but next I would like to acquire a qualification in facility design as well. If I can obtain both qualifications, I will be able to draw blueprints for both buildings and their facilities. I believe that this would reduce the burden on the work sites because I would be able to provide drawings in perfect condition. In the future, I would like to become a specialist who can review both building and facility drawings while checking contract details and provide construction management that expedites work progress.nnI have always wanted to improve the work site, but in the future, I would like to be more involved in management, playing a more active role in organizational building in the Company and the department and creating an environment that increases employees’ satisfaction.
I’d like to work with people who can actively engage in duties with a clear vision for the future and a desire to improve.
T-san, what kind of person would be a perfect fit to work in your team?
I think that people who are willing to learn and improve themselves by asking questions when they don't understand are suited for this job. I am also that type of person, so it is easy for me to work with people who are willing to ask for help. I would like to work with people who are always willing to actively engage in duties with a clear vision for the future and a desire to improve instead of being content with their current levels.nnThere are many colleagues at AEC with a variety of experiences and engaged in different types of jobs, so it is an environment where you can keep learning even when you have worked here for a long time.
Aspire to become an engineer who can apply skills on a global scale!
Can you leave a message to students who are seeking career opportunities?
If you join AEC, I hope you will work hard to become an important human resource for AEC. I also hope that you will not be satisfied with just being at that level, but that you will grow as a person who can succeed in Okinawa, the mainland, and the world.nnI believe that if you work at AEC, you can acquire skills that can be applied on a global scale, and I hope that you will actively engage in your daily work with a broad vision for the future. Let's work together with ambition to improve ourselves to become world-class engineers!
Schedule for one day
- AM 7:30 Work Commences/Arrive at the Work Site
- AM 8:00 General Morning Assembly or “Chorei” (Confirm and disseminate work contents, amount of labor, safety, and hazardous spots)
- KY (hazard prediction) activities in each job type
- Meeting
- Manage work procedures, safety, and quality through on-site inspections
- Confirm work procedures with Managers of various types of work
- Documentation (construction drawings, documents to be submitted to U.S. military for approval of materials, process control charts, and progress management charts, etc.)
- Order materials and confirm delivery dates of ordered materials
- PM 12:00 Lunch-break
- PM 13:00 Manage work procedures, safety, and quality through on-site inspections
- Documentation (construction drawings, documents to be submitted to U.S. military for approval of materials, process control charts, and progress management charts, etc.)
- Regular meeting with the Project Owner (U.S. Military Contracting Officer) (discuss progress of execution, checking required documents, and other pending construction issues)
- PM 17:00 End of Site Work, close and lock the work site/ check the schedule and prepare for the following day
- PM 19:30 End of a workday/Leave for Home: