National Engineers Week Spotlight: Kareem Talaat

Building Communities from the Ground Up

As we wrap up our National Engineers Week celebration, we’re proud to spotlight Kareem Talaat, a civil engineer whose work demonstrates how infrastructure, curiosity, and responsibility come together to create lasting community impact.

Kareem’s engineering journey began with internships throughout college, followed by starting his full‑time career in July 2021—bringing his total experience in the engineering industry to approximately five years. Since then, he has contributed to a wide range of projects that support safe, sustainable, and well‑designed infrastructure for both public and private clients.

In this spotlight, Kareem reflects on the projects that shaped his early career, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and the advice that continues to guide his work.

How many years have you been working in the engineering industry?

“I’ve had internships all throughout college, but I started working full‑time in July of 2021, so about five years total.”

What is the proudest project you have ever worked on?

“The first project I was ever put on when I started working full time was to design a major underground drainage system for a new waterfront park for NYCEDC. It included storm, sanitary, and watermain work. I saw that permit package go from design to construction documents to construction. The project is currently in construction administration, and I’ve seen many of the pipes and manholes that I designed be put into the ground. I was proud to make an impact on that waterfront community right in NYC and am waiting for the day the park is open to the public.”

For Kareem, seeing designs transition from drawings to real‑world infrastructure has been a defining and rewarding experience early in his career.

How does your work improve safety, mobility, communities, or sustainability?

“I’m a civil engineer, so all of it does! I design roads, sites, and utilities for public and private clients. I’ve helped develop sustainable building material courses so my colleagues could better understand the impact of the concrete we specify and pushed to improve roadway geometry on projects to ensure that drivers would be safe on the roads. Civil engineers are the backbone of our infrastructure, and it’s our responsibility to make sure that infrastructure helps our communities.”

Kareem’s perspective highlights the broad responsibility civil engineers carry—and the meaningful influence their decisions have on daily life.

What’s something you wish you knew on day one?

“How some of the advanced Civil 3D functions worked! (If you know, you know.)”

What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from a mentor?

“Ask questions, no matter what. When you are given a task, it’s on you to make sure you understand what needs to be done. In construction, they say measure twice and cut once. In engineering, I say ask twice so you can draw once.”

Closing Out National Engineers Week

Kareem’s story is a fitting close to our National Engineers Week spotlights—reminding us that engineering excellence is built on curiosity, accountability, and a willingness to keep learning. From designing underground infrastructure to advocating for safer, more sustainable design decisions, his work reflects the vital role engineers play in shaping the communities around us.

We’re proud to celebrate Kareem and all of our engineers whose dedication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills continue to make a lasting impact.