8 O'clock Job Club

Michael Ballou http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/member/8/e/5/0/member_7836432.jpeg http://www.meetup.com/8OclockJobClub/members/9786315/
Member

8 O'clock Job Club http://www.meetup.com/8OclockJobClub/ http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/2/e/8/global_13849896.jpeg 20100322

Denver, CO 80209

Location:

Denver, COUSA 80209
Hometown: Denver, CO

Member since:

February 21, 2012

Introduction

I'm a local structural engineer; MSCE, Mensa member. I've worked all over the US; Denver is now "home". I've worked for very large firms, and also as a sole-proprietor. My passion is architecture, but I've done a lot of heavy industrial design.

What do you want out of our job club? Help networking? Latest job search techniques? Other?

I never really had trouble securing work until my mid-40's. I prefer the "nuts and bolts" of engineering to the (seemlingly) endless admin work that goes along with being a sole proprietor until mega-success allows one to hire appropriate help. I think I have thrived best in mid-sized firms (or branch offices of larger firms) of no more than 100 or so employees. Not big on bureaucracy; prefer to coordinate, work as a team, and get the projects done. I am an INTJ, and have to force myself to be extraverted, though no one would ever guess that. I really don't enjoy the process of "selling" myself, and so find myself either procrastinating or otherwise minimizing or sabotaging my own efforts along those lines. I have moved a lot, both growing up and as an adult, so I meet people and develop a rapport with them quite easily. I guess what I need the most help with is the mechanics of marketing professional services, and my own unique skills set. I'm also thinking about Toastmasters.

What is your ideal next opportunity? Type of company? Your ideal role?

Senior Project Structural Engineer / Senior Project Manager. Ideally with an A-E firm, functioning in the general area of designing commercial and institutional structures (e.g. hospitals, academic buildings, laboratories, K-12 schools, large office buildings, campus type facilities, mixed use buildings, large multifamily residential, hotel or resort facilities, or hybrid type projects such as transit-oriented development projects. My ideal role would be as the Lead Structural Engineer, heading up a team of structural engineers / designers. I have a broad base of client liaison experience, with developers, owners, government agencies, etc. I have worked for the Denver Building Department (for 6 years: 1990-1996; of which 2 were nearly full time on the structural and architectural plans checking / review for DIA.) Also worked as a consultant to various municipal and federal clients (e.g. City of Boston, Massport, USACE, Smithsonian, US Navy, State Department, Library of Congress)

Please provide us with a quick profile of you, including your first name and last name and the preferred way to contact you. (Phone or email). We will NEVER use your contact info to sell anything to you or share it with anyone else.

Michael J. Ballou, 420 S. Marion Parkway No. 303, Denver, CO 80209-2546; (720)-219-3985 (cellular / home) mjballou@aol.com I am also on Linkedin, which I use for professional networking. I also use Facebook, but primarily to keep in touch with friends and interests outside of my professional work life; which MAY be a mistake.

Do you wish to receive our free e-newsletter? It features our latest hot topics on job search "how to." The newsletter is strictly eduational (no sales pitch) and you may opt out at any time!

Yes. I signed up for it on your website.

What Michael Ballou is saying about this Meetup Group

I highly recommend the group.

saud

hello

How are you

May 26, 2012 4:21 AM
Ann S

Hi Michael, welcome to Denver and Beyond Vegan MeetUp! Thank you for joining! Sorry to be slow with personally greeting you. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for the group. I'll see you soon!

May 09, 2012 2:40 PM
ideavist ideavist : make ideas happen

Welcome to the ideavist Meetup, Michael. I have architect friends who seem to have a similar dilemma. Let me know if you want a free consult. In the meantime, hope to see you at Quickfire Hour.

Mar 03, 2012 12:22 PM
Pat Falcone

Hi Michael,
I grew up in Trumbull, moved to West Haven and on to Madison. I worked in Old Saybrook for a few years where I just got laid off in August. I do miss the beach, meeting friends at the wharf or riverside cafes for dinner, etc. I'm not an outdoor person. I attended a coupld of card games, and I'll try some dance meetups.

Feb 06, 2012 6:38 PM
Pat Andrews

Thanks. Glad you could attend. It is an interesting subject. I am hoping that we as a nation (Republicans and Democrats) can get out of attack mode and start to really address this and other pressing problems.

Aug 23, 2011 9:32 AM
Dianne

Michael - I am jealous you are going to the meet-up! It sounds so interesting. Tell everyone hi from me and if they want to do it again (I'm sure there will be plenty to discuss), count me in. Tomorrow night my boyfriend and I are going to the Strauss Viennese Waltz Ball at Glen Echo Park in Maryland. Dianne

Apr 29, 2011 8:34 PM
Dianne

Welcome to the group! Hope to see you at movie night.

Feb 22, 2011 9:53 PM