Victor Hernandez is a project assistant to Skanska with more than a decade of experience in civil construction. He began his career through the main skill training program of Skanska after obtaining a Civil Engineering title from the UC Irvine. He worked from the field engineer to the Westside Purple Line extension (now called Del D) in Los Angeles, where he managed construction operations at various underground stations, including Fairfax, La Brea and Cienega, part of one of the most geologically complex traffic projects in the city. His technical experience includes deep excavations and traffic systems, heavy concrete construction, MEP and creation systems, architectural finishes and civil restoration. She chatted with Aileen Cho, an assistant ENR publisher for infrastructure. This interview was edited for more clarity.
ENR: What is your origin story?
Hernandez: I didn’t know the industry too much until I met Skanska at a work fair. Skanska was showing its construction of the Metlife Stadium. I like football!
Victor Hernandez
They promoted very well. I would probably have united to a design company otherwise. Only [Skanska] I was talking about the construction industry and doing these projects.
I joined the main skills training program in Skanska. It is a two -year program for new graduates. Every four months would turn to a different part of the company: cost controls, field engineering, security. You get to see all the departments. I worked at the regional connector and then the purple line at the estimating office. There, Skanska even had his own design group focused on false work for specific excavation and support.
Four months are long enough to show -you what [that department] It is ready, while you let you wish more.
What were your favorite rotations?
The field field made me a call. Field Engineering and Deputy Superintendent: They were my favorites. I like to be in the field, to see the everyday operations. I am a practical person. I need to see it, to feel. I started as a field engineer for the purple line. Over time, I became a project engineer that manages the construction of three stations.
What were some of the challenges?
We were right next to the [La Brea] Fosses de Tarà. Fairfax station is where I started working as a field engineer. This had the soils most impacted by tar. It was quite crazy, the things we took out of there. The mats of the crane, all kinds of things to make the floor stable enough. The smell was crazy. Every time I returned to the office, people could smell me before they could see me.
What was it like to work in a joint company with other contractors?
To be honest, it was difficult to say who Treylor Brothers, Shea or Skanska was. Some of my best friends are from [Traylor and Shea]. One was my roommate for a couple of years later.
Now that the Purple Line project is over, what do you work now?
I transferred to the Lax People Mover project. I just learned. The Mover People was in pre -construction for about two years. It is planned to be a five -year job.
You don’t think ten years have passed. All the time, it has been an exciting learning experience. Every two years, the job changed. Excavation, heavy concrete and then accumulate rooms, electric, pull cables. I was learning something new every two years.
What tips do you have for people entering the industry?
Be curious. As a young engineer, if you enter the industry, you may be intimidated. There are many members of the older generations: this is. You learn a lot. See how things do. Take this information and use it as we move on in our races. It is a rewarding job. Demanding safely, but definitely worth it.
