Jaidev Sankar, Transit Strategy and Growth Lead for the US East and LATAM of AECOM, reflects on a career shaped by mega projects, public-sector leadership and a willingness to say yes. He shares lessons from the Big Dig — the Second Avenue Subway — and his time on the owner side at Amtrak, offering a candid look at how collaboration, trust and emerging delivery models are reshaping rail and transit programs.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

02:09 Finding balance between work, family and personal passions shapes long-term career fulfillment.

06:13 Early technical interests and constraints often guide engineers toward their true strengths.

10:17 Long-duration mega projects accelerate learning across design, construction and delivery.

12:55 Building an organization from scratch requires comfort with uncertainty and iteration.

19:08 Being honest about what you want helps ensure the right role fit for both sides.

24:10 When trust exists, collaborative delivery improves alignment on scope, budget and schedule.

30:26 AI should be used to increase efficiency and help owners do more with limited funding.

34:48 Infrastructure funding and policy decisions require long-term thinking and public engagement.

36:53 Saying yes to varied opportunities builds perspective across disciplines and career stages.

Resources Mentioned:

Jaidev Sankar

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaidev-sankar-9aa35269/

AECOM | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/aecom/

AECOM | Website

http://www.aecom.com

Amtrak

https://www.amtrak.com/

Second Avenue Subway

https://aecom.com/projects/second-avenue-subway-phase-one/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Big Dig (Central Artery/Tunnel Project)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dig

Tren Urbano (Puerto Rico)

https://tutrenpr.com/

New York City Congestion Pricing Program

https://congestionreliefzone.mta.info/

Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast

Join us as Anthony Pastore, East Regional Director of STV, reflects on a career built through persistence, trust and leadership. Anthony shares his path from union carpentry to leading some of New York City’s most complex public works projects, including the World Trade Center. He discusses why communication, decision making and investing in people matter more than titles and how construction remains a powerful way to serve communities.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

06:10 Growing up in a blue-collar environment shaped early exposure to construction and work ethic.

08:03 Balancing full-time field work with night school builds discipline and long-term commitment.

14:14 Leadership effectiveness depends on clear communication and shared understanding.

17:48 Advanced planning and steady decision-making are critical on complex projects.

22:16 Public works projects are uniquely rewarding because they serve communities long term.

28:06 Trust and integrity are essential to maintaining strong professional relationships.

32:20 Chasing challenges and continuous learning matter more than titles for career growth.

39:05 Project delivery is growing more complex while the industry faces increasing skilled labor challenges.

Resources Mentioned:

Anthony Pastore

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-pastore-b804091b7/

STV | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/stv/

STV | Website

https://www.stvinc.com

Fordham University

https://www.fordham.edu

Institute of Design and Construction

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Design_and_Construction

“Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown

https://www.danieljamesbrown.com/the-boys-in-the-boat

Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)

https://cmaanet.org

Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast

Jared Green, Principal and Vice President of Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, reflects on a 23-year career in geotechnics shaped by early STEM curiosity, steady mentorship and community service. He shares why AEC can feel intimidating at first yet stays welcoming, how practical math and science teaching excites students and how leaders build safe rooms where new voices grow.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

05:26 A career feels meaningful when learning connects to real-world outcomes.

10:02 Early curiosity and hands-on learning often shape long-term interests.

16:05 Supportive peers and mentors make it easier to enter demanding industries.

18:12 Students stay engaged when math and science feel practical and relevant.

28:44 Taking a chance before feeling ready can open important doors.

34:38 Strong teams communicate by asking questions early and making time to support each other.

40:24 Progress in professional communities is made possible through shared effort and support from others.

44:45 Long careers benefit from caring for mental health and asking for support.

Resources Mentioned:

Jared Green

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjaredmgreen/

Langan Engineering and Environmental Services | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/langan-engineering-environmental-services/

Langan Engineering and Environmental Services | Website

http://www.langan.com

Salvadori Center

https://www.salvadori.org/

National Science Foundation Engineering programs

https://www.nsf.gov/eng/programs

American Society of Civil Engineers

https://www.asce.org/

“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18144590-the-alchemist

Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast