2018 SE3 Summer Mentorship Event Recap
The SE3 Committee held its third mentorship event on Thursday, July 26th, 2018 at Degenkolb’s San Francisco Office. This event differed from the past two speed mentorship events that SE3 has hosted in that there were two different target experience levels for mentees. The event was structured into two different “tracks.” Track 1 was catered towards students, interns, and entry-level engineers with 1 to 2 years of experience. The corresponding mentors for this track were engineers with a mid-range level of experience, ranging from 5 to 10 years. Track 2 was geared towards mentees with 3 or more years of professional work experience. The mentors for Track 2 had 10 or more years of experience practicing in the profession.
The event was well attended by mentees from both experience levels, with more mentees falling into Track 1. Attendants started arriving around 5:30 to mingle and enjoy refreshments, and opening remarks were made at 6PM by SE3 Committee co-chairs Hayley Dickson and Theresa Curtis. Event organizers Sarah Sullivan and Brenna Marcoux then provided some instructions and guidance on the flow of the evening.
The event was well attended by mentees from both experience levels, with more mentees falling into Track 1. Attendants started arriving around 5:30 to mingle and enjoy refreshments, and opening remarks were made at 6PM by SE3 Committee co-chairs Hayley Dickson and Theresa Curtis. Event organizers Sarah Sullivan and Brenna Marcoux then provided some instructions and guidance on the flow of the evening.
The format of the event consisted of three 25-minute long group mentoring sessions. The mentors were set up in pairs for both Tracks. Mentee groups for Track 1 consisted of 4 to 6 mentees, while Track 2 groups had between 3 and 4 mentees.
Track 1 mentoring sessions were calm and focused, with mentees taking turns asking thoughtful questions, and each mentor providing their response. There were many discussions on job applications, finding the right employment opportunity and career planning. Track 2 groups had dynamic conversations on topics such as work-life balance, career growth, technical skills enhancement, and project, client, and business management.
Track 1 mentoring sessions were calm and focused, with mentees taking turns asking thoughtful questions, and each mentor providing their response. There were many discussions on job applications, finding the right employment opportunity and career planning. Track 2 groups had dynamic conversations on topics such as work-life balance, career growth, technical skills enhancement, and project, client, and business management.
A young engineer working as a summer intern asked a question about which factors are most important for being promoted and working one’s way up through a company. Lori Jue, a structural engineer at Forell/Elsesser, described how being visible within your office and communication played important roles in her career advancement. When a graduate student asked about work-life balance, James Enright, a project manager at FTF Engineering, responded by explaining how having passions outside of work can contribute to long-term satisfaction with your career.
The conversations out of Track 2 sessions also included discussions on the transition from project engineer to project management, balancing the demands of work with having a family, and starting your own firm. Maureen Joyce, an associate principal at RJSD, explained how she and a colleague started their own firm so she could have more autonomy, and the importance of keeping up with professional contacts as a principal. Dick Dreyer, a principal at Holmes, recalled his experience with the first project he managed, and how he transitioned from the technical side of engineering to managing staff.
The night concluded with spirited networking and enjoyment of appetizers and refreshments. Mentors and mentees from both tracks mingled and continued conversations that started during the sessions.
The night concluded with spirited networking and enjoyment of appetizers and refreshments. Mentors and mentees from both tracks mingled and continued conversations that started during the sessions.
The SE3 Committee is happy to have hosted another successful Mentorship Event. The new format of the event led to more in-depth conversations during group mentoring and reached a wider range of mentees. The committee would like to thank all of the mentors for volunteering their time to share their insights in a positive environment,making the evening engaging, inspiring and unforgettable for attendants. Thank you also to the mentees for your eager participation and thoughtful questions. SE3 is looking forward to continuing mentorship efforts within the structural engineering community by hosting more events and is looking into the feasibility of starting a long-term mentorship program.
For more information about the SE3 Committee visit SE3project.org. To learn more about the NCSEA SE3 Committee, visit ncsea.com/committees/SE3 or email [email protected]. Also, be on the lookout for the results from our 2018 NCSEA SE3 Survey, coming out later this year.