Changing with the Tides

Most seasoned construction professionals advise the emerging workforce to absorb each and every opportunity, and one local project executive is proof of that method’s success.

Travis Wong began as a newly minted project engineer at Swinerton after receiving his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Just six years later, he’s now sitting comfortably as a Swinerton project executive and is ready for any opportunities the role — and his life — might bring him.

Q: What first interested you about construction?

A: You know what’s funny? My mom was a realtor. My dad built homes and developed lots growing up, but I was never interested in it at all. But I think at college, I was just looking for some internships [and] my cousin was able to provide me the opportunity to work at Maryl Group. … I spent time there and decided I really liked it. But it was funny; my dad will always be like, “I can’t believe he ended up doing that!”

Q: What were some challenges early on in your career?

A: I think a lot of the challenges in my career have come when my role has changed significantly from the role before. That was a product of an opportunity [being] presented to me, so it’s not a bad thing, but there was comfort in the previous role. There’s “imposter syndrome” and you don’t feel like you’re ready for it. … It just comes with a time-period adjustment where you’re like, “Did I really just do this?”

Q: Do you feel more comfortable now switching between roles?

A: I think [it’s a] similar transition to this role, where for the first maybe, year-and-a-half … [I] couldn’t solve problems the same way I would have solved them maybe two years ago. But again, now that I’m starting to settle in, … it feels like that was worth it.

Q: What are some proud moments of your career?

A: I think it’s really important for work to be meaningful. So I just can’t speak enough about the opportunities I’ve had to work with really cool individuals — a lot of lifelong friends. I had the opportunity to do jobs in Maui, in San Diego; I’ve probably spent more of my career not on this island than I’ve spent here. I was able to just have fun and find new connections outside of being born and raised here my whole life.