Gaining Practical Experience Through Experimentation

What happens here

To effectively develop new skills and gain confidence, the instructor advises using one's own property or collaborating with clients who are willing to allow for a 'learning curve' on their site. He shares a personal anecdote of experimenting with three different types of retaining walls on his own property. These walls were built with varying techniques, such as different batter placements (slope) and drainage depths, intentionally not adhering strictly to standard codes, to understand their structural integrity firsthand. This hands-on experimentation allowed him to gain invaluable practical knowledge, enabling him to confidently assure future customers that his expertise stemmed from 'experience' rather than just theoretical 'code' compliance.

Goal: Develop practical skills and confidence by experimenting with new construction methods.