Meet Issac Real, the newest member of our Geotechnical / CMT Team!
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself…
Issac: I am originally from California, but moved to Burlington from Arizona in 2020. I am married and we have four cats and a two-year-old dog. I am currently studying for my bachelors in information technology. For the past few years, I worked in a paint lab creating formulas for paint and testing paint products – watching paint dry is as fun as it sounds. I’m happy to be at Klingner!
Q: Why did you want to join the Klingner team?
Issac: I’m very excited to be a technician and to be working with Klingner. I like the work environment and feel very lucky to have such experienced colleagues to learn from. I am currently the Burlington lab coordinator and I enjoy investigating and solving problems. Discovering results through testing and research is very fascinating to me. I also enjoy learning how much work goes into constructing things, ensuring that designs are safe and can withstand various environmental elements.
Q: What piece of advice would you give someone choosing the same career?
Issac: Starting anything new – especially in careers – can be scary and can feel a bit overwhelming. However, eventually things will settle down. Processes and techniques will become routine, and you will feel confident in your training to perform your job the best way you know how. It is rewarding to be a small part of the big picture in Klingner projects.
Q: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Issac: I am definitely an introvert, although over the years I’ve become a bit more outgoing. Not completely though, as I refuse to sing any karaoke!
Q: How many languages do you speak?
Issac: I speak English and Spanish. I grew up speaking Spanish with my grandmother. I’ve done plenty of translating for people, both in my work and personal life. It has also proved to be extremely beneficial and helpful when traveling overseas!
Q: What is the last place you traveled and what did you find interesting about it?
Issac: The last place I traveled was Macedonia;, which has since been renamed Northern Macedonia. It is part of the former Yugoslavia. I was living in Kosovo, which borders Macedonia. I made a lot of friends while I was living there and was able to explore the Balkans. The most interesting part of that area in my opinion was the architecture. It was so beautiful – I loved seeing the bridges and buildings that have been standing for thousands of years.
If I could continue my travels, I think I would love to visit Seoul, Korea. I haven’t had the opportunity to travel in that part of the world yet, but learning more about the history and exploring the City at night would be really incredible.