Death of an Apprentice

A Life In and Out of Civil Engineering

By: Andrew G. Szava-Kovats

Narrated by: Andrew Szava-Kovats

This autobiographical novel follows the career of a civil engineering apprentice, from childhood to middle age. Along the way, we get to see the inner workings of the profession, from the nuts and bolts of civil engineering and surveying, their technological transformation, to the death of the apprenticeship system. It's a mysterious world that few laymen know. And yet we are all surrounded by their work everywhere, every day.

The apprentice takes a complex, twisted path in and out of the world of civil engineering as he pursues other career opportunities and artistic ambitions in the worlds of painting and music.

It's a story of modern times, reduced opportunities, the "trickle-up economy" and people denied entry into professions now restricted to the "degreed class".

©2016 Andrew Szava-Kovats (P)2016 Andrew Szava-Kovats

What I like?

Thorough description of an experienced Civil Engineer. Mentioning the transition technology and corporations disrupted apprenticeship.

Very good storytelling and insight into..

details of the surveying and engineering professions. As a practicing professional civil engineer I take internships very seriously, and as a part time lecturer at the local university, this gave me a lot to think about.

dreams, hard work, loss and life

as a civil engineer, I very much enjoyed the discussion of the author's time as a surveyor and draftsmen. Very much struck by the intellectual curiosity and thirst for growth by the author. We need more apprentices and apprentice mentality in the world.