Congratulations! The fact that you’re reading STRUCTURE means that you’re already a member of a structural engineering organization (CASE, NCSEA or SEI). But are you really getting your money’s worth? If you’re not actively involved, you’re not truly leveraging the value of your membership.
In 2014, the Harvard Business Review published an article about the power of participation. The impact and influence you can have when leveraging the power of a group is exponentially greater than that you can achieve on your own. As a member of a committee, your words have a different gravitas when trying to convince an AHJ to amend a code provision. When structural engineers go beyond the passive consumption of ideas to actively sharing content, then adapting content, then creating or delivering content, and finally co-owning content, they progress along the participation power scale from simply keeping up with the profession to shaping the profession.
You’ll find that heavily involved people invariably say that they’ve received much more from their organization than they’ve put into it. What is it that they’re receiving? The list could include:
- A network of structural engineers with access to peer sounding boards, mentors, technical experts, thought partners, and many times new friendships
- An opportunity to advance their careers by practicing soft skills such as public speaking, teamwork, and leadership
- Visibility that helps their firm with recruitment, retention, and reputation
- The personal satisfaction of positively impacting our profession Becoming involved in advancing our profession recenters you and reminds you why you entered this profession in the first place – it removes you from the daily grind for a moment and brings more purpose to your daily activities.
Becoming active in your structural engineering organization is a unique opportunity because it allows you to spend time on things that are in service to yourself such as cultivating your interests, building relationships and skills that will help advance your career, and serving your personal purpose all under the umbrella of your day job.
Why does serving your personal purpose matter? As we come out of the pandemic, the focus has shifted from work-life balance to work-life enrichment. Studies show that when employees feel connected to a greater purpose in their work, it not only improves their productivity, but also positively impacts their ability to think clearly and to make decisions efficiently and effectively. Engaging in meaningful work can lead to increased job satisfaction which in turn can help you feel more energized and be more resilient to job-related stress and setbacks, positively impacting your health and life outside of work. How to get started? Reach out to someone who is already involved and ask about opportunities. Where does the organization need help? How do your personal interests align with the mission of the organization? If a prolonged commitment seems insurmountable – sign up to help with a discreet initiative such as a mentoring roundtable at your local university or a job site tour. If you can’t find the right fit at the local level, consider serving on a national committee. CASE, SEI, and NCSEA all have volunteer opportunities available where you can help advance the objectives of their Joint Vision for the Future of Structural Engineering which include:
- Developing and positioning structural engineers as leaders and innovators on project teams and in society
- Reforming structural engineering education
- Improving mentoring of young structural engineers
- Enhancing the professional development of practicing structural engineers
- Advocating for structural engineering licensure
- Implementing performance-based codes and standards
- Encouraging resilience in the built environment, including disaster response planning
- Promoting diversity within the structural engineering profession
- Collaborating on common causes with related industry organizations
- Advancing the structural engineering profession nationally and globally
Why do you see serial volunteers within our structural engineering organizations? Because they’ve unlocked the power of participation and the benefits that come along with it.
Don’t become hung up on whether you have the right skills or credentials to contribute; everyone has something to offer. You don’t have to be a technical expert to contribute to a technical committee. Many subject matter experts are pulled in several different directions; you can help them make things happen by doing the legwork while they provide the ideas and direction. Over time, through osmosis and interaction, you too will become an expert.
How do you find the time? The goals and objectives of our structural engineering organizations mainly reside in the sweet spot of Stephen Covey’s Four Quadrants of Time Management: Important but not Urgent. Is everything you are currently doing with your time truly important? If not, can you reprioritize to find time to become involved now rather than at some theoretical future date when things slow down at work or the kids are older?
It’s time for you to be an active member in your organization. Don’t just do it for the profession; do it for yourself. Why do you see serial volunteers within our structural engineering organizations? Because they’ve unlocked the power of participation and the benefits that come along with it. You already bought the key when you became a member. Isn’t it time to open the door? ■