Engineering is an industry that requires the brightest minds and the strongest wills. You will be faced with challenges that require you to think outside of the box daily. Fortunately, Pedram Zohrevand, Ph.D., PE is an individual who believes in the power of hard work and strong leadership. He is the president of CES4 and provides engineering services for various private and government agencies. However, the backbone of Pedram Zohrevand’s personal foundation is his ability to think creatively. All great engineers need to be able to come at a problem from a different angle than the person next to them. Pedram Zohrevand is here to tell us more about what makes him so successful and how you can emulate some of his habits.
What was your best/favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject was always science. I enjoyed figuring out how things work and how to improve upon them. Science allowed me to find myself academically and turn my passions into a career. I would constantly ask my teachers for advice on how to improve things and received feedback on my efforts. It was here that the foundation of my being was developed. I knew that I wanted to provide the world with engineering services that could help them achieve their goals.
What was your first job?
My very first job was tutoring when I was in middle school. This job was crucial for my development at the time. I learned the value of hard work to get what you want. I was never given anything for free as a child. I always had to work for what I wanted. I I learned how to convince people to trust me. It helped me develop my communication skill and self-discipline. I would carry these skills with me for the rest of my professional life.
Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
I was attending Iran University of Science and technology in Tehran/Iran I got my first job as an engineering intern being part of an international high rise design team.
How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
This job would help me get my feet wet and propel me further into the engineering industry. I am very thankful that this opportunity happened whenever it did. It allowed me to get the experience that most other students would not receive.
Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
I was thanked by a client for my efforts. I had been working around the clock without any breaks for some time to complete a project. Fortunately, my efforts were noticed by the client, and I was given a wholesome thank you package. It felt good to be validated for the work that I provided. I will always remember that day and think about it whenever I am in a rough spot. I remind myself that my work is making a difference in people’s lives.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
I love to learn new things. I am constantly learning about new ways to design things and provide people with exciting new services. The appeal of learning something new keeps me engaged. I always try to find new methods of problem-solving that will help me find new solutions for clients.
What kind of business ideas excite you most?
One of the most important things that any business can ever do is to seek feedback from their employees. Companies that do not value their employees’ ideas are doomed to fail. I firmly believe that the people who work for your company have excellent ideas and are just afraid to speak their mind. Business ideas that include most of your company can revolutionize the way you do business.
Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
I do not believe in viral marketing. I believe that a business will gain traction by simply providing good products and not focusing on gimmicks. Businesses who rely on viral marketing to advertise their products do not long in the race.
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
One of the most important aspects of a human’s personality is perseverance. A successful entrepreneur must remain steadfast during troubling times. It is the only way that he or she will stay afloat during uncertain times. I was faced with plenty of uncertainty at one point in my career. However, I planted my feet into the ground and continued to trek forward. I was very proud of my ability to mentally overcome this problem and push myself forward.
What wisdom would you have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
I would tell my younger self to focus on himself and not other people. you cannot take everyone with you to the top. It is crucial that you first improve yourself before you decide to work with a team of professionals in your industry of choice.