Over 50 college students from 13 California and Oregon Universities, and volunteers from two California Sections and representatives from 11 sponsors gathered in Folsom, CA, from September 9-11, 2011 for the ASCE Construction Institute Student Days Conference. Student Days provided students and industry professionals numerous opportunities to meet and get to know one another, in addition to introducing students to the real-world opportunities open to them in their futures as practicing engineers. Students participated in technical sessions, a construction site tour of the Folsom Dam Auxiliary Spillway project, a tour of a contractor's shop including an equipment rodeo, and speed networking session with representatives from the event’s corporate sponsors.
The 2010 – 2011 Joint Scholarships of the Construction Institute Chapters of the Sacramento and San Francisco Sections were awarded to six students in Civil Engineering and Construction Management Programs. Nineteen well qualified applicants from eight Northern California Universities were evaluated by the Committee. The top three choices received $3,000 each, and three received $2,000 each.
ASCE Leaders Larry Smith and Blaine Leonard described how the “Basic Skills” learned with a BS Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management would not be good enough to change the outcome of our profession into the future.
Larry Smith, ASCE Construction Institute Governor and CMCI Governor told students wishing to enter the construction profession to prepare themselves for: a lifetime of continuous learning; on the job training; professional certification; profession registration; graduate school, and many career assignments and relocations.
Blaine Leonard, ASCE Past- President described the Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century and how at the United States learned that pervasive, functioning infrastructure is the key to our economic well-being and success. Leonard focused his talk on the current infrastructure condition in the United States having an overall condition grade of “D.” Leonard summarized that in order to change the outcome we “must change our focus and create our vision for the profession in 2025. Leonard presented a vision for ASCE and told attendees to place individual efforts toward: raising the infrastructure grades; placing emphasize on sustainability; expanding and transforming engineering competence and practice; educating our society; and become advocates for the engineering profession.
The Student Days Event provided insight into the transition from student to young professional while giving attendees a dose of inspiration from other industry leaders. Aaron Schwartz of Vanir Construction Management, Jacob Jones of Parson Brinkerhoff, Rudy Zelmer of Vali Cooper & Associates and Thomas Soohoo of Webcor builders also spoke.
Each of industry leaders gave recommendations and lessons from their own career beginning with graduation from college to their current positions. Jacob Jones filled his career story with occasional tips for students:
- Continue living cheap after college
- Take advantage of opportunities to learn new types of construction
- Don’t get overwhelmed when you start your first job
- Be a proficient writer when you graduate
- Develop your ability to make sound decisions
- Listen to the experienced
- Expect night work
- Stay out of harm’s way
- Reward yourself
- Don’t accumulate too much stuff
- Relationships get tougher
- Plans are subject to change
- Never underestimate the power of a landscape architect
- Establish your equilibrium
Following a day of visiting a construction site and participation in an equipment rodeo and a survey challenge John Egbert, Civil Engineer and Educator enlightened students on “The Top Ten Things Learned” in over 40 years of professional practice:
- Be a people person and a mentor leader. Build a network and develop your social skills.
- Guard your integrity, your ethics and your reputation.
- Give back; become a volunteer. “It’s not about you”!
- Be the one who can and does “get the job done.” Be a problem solver (aka “Solutions Provider”). Always have Plans A, B & C. Ask: What are we trying to accomplish; Can we do it easier, cheaper and/or faster; Is every aspect of this operation safe?
- Keep production records and vendor files. An estimator can always find a job. Work neat and stay organized.
- Don’t be inpatient and chase every supposed “better deal” or job offer.
- Get your EIT, CMIT and PE license. Consider and advanced degree and/or possible a state contractor’s license, if applicable.
- Achieve and maintain “Financial Freedom.” Spend less than you make; avoid debt; save for the future; develop a written plan and stick to it.
- Exercise and keep a disciplined healthy lifestyle. Wear your sunscreen and hearing protection.
- Life is much more enjoyable when viewing the glass as half full rather than half empty!
Egbert recommends a personal and investing library and a suggested a technical library for continuous learning and development.
During the final day of the Student Days event Construction Managers Ron Price and Cathy Wise inspired students with their life stories and successful CM and Civil Engineering Careers. Price spoke about an 18-year old boy from East Oakland who “wasn’t college material changed the outcome of his professional life. Price served in the US Navy where he was taught and learned that anything was possible. Price becomes a Contractor, Master Builder, Owner’s Agent, Construction Manager, CMAA’s Person of the Year and Chairman of the Construction Management Association of America. Wise spoke about her life as baseball player in college looking to change the outcome for her future. Wise served as an active duty officer in the US Navy and continues as a reserve officer in the Navy Reserve. Wise becomes a Professional Engineer, Resident Engineer, and in responsible charge of an annual multi-million dollar construction program for the US Army Corps of Engineers. Wise described her experience as a combat engineer in Iraq providing infrastructure support for Marine Units continually on the move. Wise stated she learned fast the need to getting the job done even without all the necessary supplies or equipment.
Student Days continued with Jennifer Powers presentation on “How to Rock Your Resume and Ace Your Interviews.” Students were able to write and critically critique one another’s resume followed by a session of mock job interviews presented by the event volunteers.
The event concluded with an Industry Sponsored Speed Networking Event and Job Fair where students spent time asking questions of company recruiters, reviewed resumes and learned of professional career opportunities following graduation.
Student Days was well attended and considered a success. ASCE Construction Institute thanks the following sponsors for their generous support:
- Magnus Pacific
- Granite Construction
- Kiewit Infrastructure West
- DD-M Crane & Rigging
- Jag Construction
- Contractor Services Group Inc.
- Vanir Construction Management
- Webcor Builders
- Parsons Brinckerhoff
- Vali Cooper & Associates Inc.
- Safework
The San Francisco and Sacramento Chapters of the Construction Institute again pledged to continue Student Days into the future. We invite our Industry Sponsors and Colleges and Universities within our Sections to provide feedback and support.
