It takes a disciplined mind to think critically, practically and with a great deal of logic.
Athletes strive for it — the ability to make split-second decisions, while pressure is mounting, to leverage action against the many possible outcomes, and still have a favorable result.
Like an athlete, the mind of an engineer is wired to make such decisions. USA Men’s Sevens player Joe Schroeder represents a fusion of both worlds.
As a part-time Project Engineer for Black and Veatch, a consulting and construction company, Schroeder supports a mission to create sustainable infrastructure.
“My daily job duties include reviewing plans, verifying correct design specifications and staying up-to-date on any correspondence/emails between my coworkers and myself. I’m an athlete first so I don’t regularly go into an office and my usual hours are after rugby training in the evenings.”
In his role, Schroeder has been a part of some unique initiatives.
“The coolest project I worked on was the construction of a giant storage tunnel, located a couple hundred feet below the ground, that runs for miles under the city of Columbus, OH,” he said.
“The tunnel provides extra storage for sewage and rainwater during large storm events. At the time, I was part of the construction management team as an inspector and had the privilege of working on-site for most of the year. It was definitely a great learning experience for me and it was just cool to play a small part in such a big project.”
Schroeder always had an interest in becoming an engineer. He was first introduced to the field by one of his older brothers who is an electrical engineer.
“Engineers are problem solvers,” he says. “I enjoy the process of coming up with a solution to the problem at hand, the different projects I've worked on and the people I've worked with.”
To pursue his career, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Trine University and went on to complete a Master’s in Civil Engineering through Ohio University.
The significant time and effort Schroeder has dedicated to engineering is proof of his passion and drive. Alongside his focus professionally, his athletic goals stand just as tall and require a similar focus to reach fruition.
“It can be tough at times balancing engineering and rugby. Sometimes this means finishing up a project into the night or taking my work on tour into different countries.
“I've found the best way to balance it all is by keeping my supervisor in the loop with everything that is going on. This takes care of most scheduling conflicts which allows me to focus on rugby when I need to, as well as, meet project deadlines for work. I’m thankful that Black and Veatch allow me to pursue my athletic dreams while still being able to work as an engineer.”
Schroeder made his debut with the national team at the Dubai stop of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in 2017. That same season, he helped the USA win their first ever gold medal on home soil in Las Vegas. In summer of 2019, Schroeder added a bronze medal as Co-Captain of the 2019 Pan American Games team.
“My ultimate goal as a rugby player is to reach my potential,” he says. “It’s hard to quantify that and might only be measured in personal growth but I want to be able to say I gave rugby my all when it’s said and done. One of my immediate targets is to make the Olympic team that goes to Tokyo in 2021.”
Appearances, wins and medals alike, Schroeder recognizes what it takes to reach his potential.
“I know it will be hard to achieve these goals but I believe they are all reachable as long as I can keep the rugby/work/life balance down,” he said. “I'm going to do my best to stay proactive in my engineering career because, as rugby players, we always have to be conscientious of what we’ll do when we toss the cleats aside.”
Schroeder presents an important and unforgettable lesson all athletes must realize. There will come a time when the playing days are over and it's time to immerse oneself in the rigors of everyday life: personally and professionally.
Kickstarting a career while pursuing goals with the national team requires a delicate balance. And equally, they require a company who can support the dreams of an athlete and find value in the unique character development that sport provides.
“Engineering is a great field to get into if that's what interests you,” he said. “It helps stimulate your problem-solving skills and assists in developing your analytical skills. These are very applicable to the rugby pitch as you will face adversity every time you step onto the field.”
Joe Schroeder has found such a balance. It may be challenging and tireless work on a regular basis, but the pay-off is and will be worth everything.
