About Engineering our Future: Helping Engineers Succeed In Career and Life
The business of engineering, reported from inside the profession. Luis Duque covers the industry trends and the big public projects shaping bridge and structural engineering. The archive holds 141 conversations with engineers about building a career.
luisduquepe.substack.com (https://luisduquepe.substack.com/s/engineering-our-future-helping-engineers?utm_medium=podcast)
We’re back! After a bit of a hiatus to focus on some major engineering projects, we are sitting down to talk about something we all struggle with: the art of saying no.
We often talk about work-life balance like it’s a constant state of control, but let’s be real—life happens in seasons. Sometimes work needs that extra 20%, and sometimes your family or hobbies need to take the front seat.
In this episode, we dive into:
* The 80/20 Rule of Boundaries: Nicolai breaks down how to respect team boundaries while identifying those critical moments when you truly need to rely on one another.
* Earning the “No”: Why saying “yes” to the random tasks early in your career builds the trust and capital you need to set firm boundaries later on.
* The “Too Much Info” Trap: Why you don’t need to over-share personal details when declining a request—less is often more!
* Career Evolution: Luis shares how moving from “yes-man” volunteering to lead roles on major bridge projects has changed his perspective on managing timelines.
Key Timestamps:
* [00:00:33] The reality of “business stretches” and why the podcast took a backseat.
* [00:01:33] Why work-life balance isn’t a balance board, but a series of seasons.
* [00:03:07] Nicolai’s framework for respecting boundaries 80% of the time.
* [00:05:22] Luis on how saying “yes” early on leads to better project opportunities.
Whether you’re a junior engineer looking to prove yourself or a senior lead trying to protect your team’s burnout levels, this conversation is all about finding that seasonal rhythm.
Get full access to Engineering our Future at engineeringourfuture.substack.com/subscribe (https://engineeringourfuture.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
20 Nov 2025
Mastering Personal Finance: Sinking Funds and Emergency Funds 101
In this episode of the Engineering Our Future podcast, Nicolai and I deliver a genuine, practical conversation about building real financial security through emergency funds and sinking funds. We draw from personal experience, sharing how our mindsets about money evolved and the crucial role that tailored, “bare bones” emergency funds play in handling life’s curveballs—like sudden car breakdowns or medical bills. Our stories underscore that financial mistakes happen to everyone but can be great teachers, reinforcing the benefits of incremental progress and making informed, individualized choices based on one’s comfort zone and risk tolerance.[15]
“Financial peace isn’t about having the perfect system—it’s about building habits that give you confidence to handle both emergencies and expected expenses without fear or debt.”
A central theme of our discussion is the distinction between emergency funds, meant for unexpected crises, and sinking funds, designed for predictable but irregular expenses such as holidays, birthdays, and home repairs. We provide actionable tips on setting up high-yield savings accounts, tracking various fund categories, and managing the psychological hurdle of using savings when needed. By emphasizing adaptable systems like customizable sinking funds and a strategic use of HSAs, this episode empowers listeners to start small, build habits, and gradually cultivate lasting peace of mind around money—the goal being to respond to both the expected and the unpredictable without fear or debt.
Lessons and Takeaways
* Build a tailored emergency fund - Calculate your personal “bare bones” monthly expenses and save 3-6 months’ worth in a high-yield savings account to handle unexpected crises without going into debt.
* Create separate sinking funds - Set up dedicated savings categories for predictable irregular expenses like holidays, birthdays, car maintenance, and home repairs to avoid financial stress when these costs arise.
* Start small and build gradually - Begin with manageable savings goals ($500-1000) for your emergency fund, then consistently add to it over time rather than feeling overwhelmed by trying to save everything at once.
* Optimize your health savings - Consider using HSAs strategically not just for medical expenses but as potential long-term investment vehicles with unique tax advantages.
* Develop systems that match your psychology - Create financial tracking methods that work with your personality and habits, making it easier to maintain good money management practices consistently.
Links and References
* Remit Sethi Podcast
* Psychology of Money (https://amzn.to/48pq012)
* Episode on Paying Debt (https://open.substack.com/pub/engineeringourfuture/p/037-from-140k-in-debt-to-financial-4e7?r=dx80h&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false)
Get full access to Engineering our Future at engineeringourfuture.substack.com/subscribe (https://engineeringourfuture.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
5 Nov 2025
Engineering Change: Lessons Learned on My Path to New Opportunities
Hey everyone,
This week, I’m sharing my experience moving from a small firm to a big one—and what that’s meant for my career and growth over the last year nine months. This year had a lot of ups and downs (this episode was recorded in June and I am just getting it out…). I am happy for Nicolai’s support through this and I look forward to many more episodes coming out.
What would you like to see more of?
Personal takeaways:
* Flexibility: Turns out, the big company isn’t as slow-moving as I thought. Milestones and structure actually bring freedom to explore, innovate, and make mistakes.
* Expanded toolbox: The more people you connect with—across disciplines—the better you get at your job. Every new conversation and collaboration adds a new tool.
* Resources: There’s more access to technical codes, sample projects, and experts, but also space to build my own reusable tools, like spreadsheets for designs.
* Soft skills: Volunteering and joining internal networks (like Enlace for Hispanic engineers) have grown my network and boosted my confidence. These bigger companies have endless training resources.
* Endless career pivots: You can chart new paths, propose new ideas, and switch directions—all without leaving the company.
Action items for you:
* If you’re thinking of switching firm sizes or career tracks, connect with someone who’s done it. Be curious, not cautious.
* Start a conversation with colleagues outside your “bubble.” There’s wisdom everywhere.
* Volunteer, join an internal group, or attend a conference—don’t wait for permission, but do learn the process for asking.
* Reflect on whether your workflows and resources are making you more effective—and start building (or sharing) something reusable.
As always, keep an open mind. If your current job isn’t sparking joy, experiment with new options before making a leap. We’re here to help you navigate challenges!
If you’ve got questions, feedback, or just want to chat, reply to this email or visit luisfelipeduque.com/contact.
Thanks for tuning in. Let’s continue to engineer our future!
Get full access to Engineering our Future at engineeringourfuture.substack.com/subscribe (https://engineeringourfuture.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
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Engagement
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