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Episode 250 | Guest: Matthew Evington | Host: Dr. James Bryant
Most people picture a straight line into engineering. Matt Evington’s path ran through retail, landscaping, and a materials testing lab before he ever set foot in a college classroom — at 26, in a night pre-calculus class he almost didn’t take. In this episode, the civil engineer turned solar farm specialist shares how he built a career one deliberate, often terrifying step at a time. Listeners will walk away with a different question to ask about timing: not “am I behind,” but “what’s my next move?”
Key Takeaways- Grants and Virginia’s guaranteed transfer agreement can make a four-year engineering degree possible with far less debt than most people assume.
- Fear is often a signal you’re on the right track, not a reason to stop — nearly every major step in Matt’s path felt terrifying before it felt right.
- Choosing land development over materials testing came from following what actually engaged him (Civil 3D), not just the “next natural step” his experience pointed toward.
- A blue-collar work background can be an asset in engineering roles that reward hands-on judgment and experience as much as formal education.
- Solar farm engineering differs sharply from traditional site work, including having to plan for eventual decommissioning since installations aren’t permanent.
- Team culture — specifically, the freedom to disagree openly with leadership at every level — mattered more to Matt’s satisfaction than the specific type of work.
- In Virginia, engineers can sit for the PE exam before completing the full experience requirement, which can shorten the path to licensure.
- AI is already embedded in engineering workflows through estimating software and modeling tools — the shift now is toward more visible, active use.
- James’s take: using AI as a shortcut without understanding the underlying analysis sets engineers up for failure — human review of calculations and theory still matters.
- 00:00 — Introduction and today’s theme: the path of your career
- 00:55 — One-word check: how family and coworkers would describe Matt
- 02:55 — Matt’s early career detours: retail, landscaping, and finding no fit
- 04:47 — Starting community college at 26 and the friend who pointed him there
- 10:24 — First job, moving to North Carolina, and returning to Richmond
- 14:47 — What makes his current team’s culture different: openness at every level
- 18:54 — Mic flip: Matthew’s Question for James
- 22:00 — The Coach In Your Corner
Matt Evington is a civil engineer specializing in land development and renewable energy infrastructure, currently working on solar farm projects. He built his technical foundation as a materials testing technician while earning his associate’s degree, then transferred to Virginia Tech through Virginia’s guaranteed transfer program to complete his civil engineering degree. He’s now working toward his Virginia PE license. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn — link in the show notes.
About the HostDr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide.
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