Brandon S. Byers

Mosul Dam Project

I worked for AECOM as a structural engineer on dams and hydraulic structures for a couple years after finishing undergrad. With AECOM, the most exciting and rewarding project I got to work on was Mosul Dam in Northern Iraq for 8 months. I was the project engineer for the team and assited our field Geological and Geotechnical Engineers, our Project Manager, and our Technical Manager. In addition, I developed a training program for the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources' future project engineers on QA/QC procedures and Microsoft Excel tools.

During my time there I lived, worked, and played on the same compound with all stakeholders and workers on the project. This sort of close-quarters live-work-play environment was both stressful and rewarding as we all suffered and bonded together in the difficult times: from sand storms to scorpions and helicopters to holidays! It was also during this time that I got my Oura ring and became interested in how a hostile ecological environment coupled with demanding daily work routines would impact my health. Our offices and living quarters were modular and rudimentary; I missed the small things like natural light or even a simple painting on the wall. Little effort was given nor afforded to how the built environment affected us, the inhabitants.