My partner sighed as I asserted I was adding yet another thing to my already overflowing plate, then calmly responded that sentiment was exactly why I always felt stressed and unfulfilled. While walking down the buffet of life, it’s easy to say “yes” to revamping the company detail library, committing to a fitness routine, or planning the neighborhood Halloween party. After all, there’s value in doing each of these things. However, taking on too much means that, even if we’re constantly doing something, we’re never actually accomplishing anything.

CASE, NCSEA and SEI have embarked on an update to their jointly prepared Vision of the Future of Structural Engineering. Having just re-read the previous statement released in May of 2019, I am struck by the number of developments that just four years later are reshaping the engineering profession. Many of these issues have been trending for a decade or more, but have gained an increased sense of urgency over the past four years. If you’ve been reading STRUCTURE Magazine, the topics will be familiar: climate change; diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI); an inadequate talent pipeline, changes in structural engineering licensure; artificial intelligence; the evolving built environment; resiliency and sustainability. A comprehensive vision of the future of structural engineering must consider all these challenges.

What? Yes, the SEI Futures Fund is a decade old this month!

Early in my college career I recall taking several required arts and science courses and certain required elective courses. A specific memory comes to mind regarding a book report the class was assigned midway through the semester in which I had to write an expository essay. I must have done an awesome job on the essay as I received an “A.”

As we all know from our experience over the last few years, there has been a change in where we work and how we work. These changes have resulted in a rise in virtual meetings and an increase in the number of people working from home, either full-time or through a hybrid option. As a result, office space is no longer being fully utilized, leading to a decline in the current office occupancy rates compared to 2019. Is not clear when or if this trend will change as companies continue to evaluate their office space needs as leases expire and are renewed in the future. 

Building a bridge to a brighter future.

How will the structural engineering profession keep up in a rapidly evolving world?

This question has been on my mind for a long time and was brought to the forefront with my election to the SEI Board of Governors in the fall of 2020 as our profession grappled with the unknown long-term impacts of the pandemic.

Job interviews are stressful. The interviewer and interviewee alike often play an unconscious game of chicken, each trying to second guess what the other really wants to hear. Engineering graduates and early career professionals often share their goal of attaining P.E. or S.E. licensure. Yet this is often just a rote answer because it sounds like what an employer wants to hear. Clearly, an engineering license is a critical step in a career; it leads to promotion, status, and increased responsibility. Yet, many new graduates and engineers-in-training (EITs) do not fully grasp what it will take or what it means. This is not surprising considering most firms eagerly await the chance to announce the new P.E. or S.E. within their ranks and often push passage before preparation. In lieu of pushing staff to pass an exam, the profession of structural engineering will be better served when firm leaders and mentors prepare staff members for success.

Three Years Later