On Tuesday, April 17, 2018, NCSEA SE3 Committee Chairs Angie Sommer & Nick Sherrow-Groves presented a webinar on the SE3, in which they discussed the history of the committee and a provided a brief overview of the results from the 2016 survey.

Looking forward, the chairs also presented on the outline of the 2018 survey, how the data from both surveys can help MO’s learn about their members, and how member organizations can use the committee’s resource guide to bring SE3 to their own local community.

The webinar was attended by approximately 50 people.

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The Structural Engineering Engagement and Equity (SE3) Committee is focused on understanding the professional experiences of engineers around the country. Their mission is to ensure that every structural engineering professional has a positive experience within the profession.

The NCSEA SE3 Committee's objectives are as follows:

• Conduct a biennial, nationwide survey to measure engagement and equity in our profession
• Develop a resource guide to help MOs start local SE3 chapters to address engagement and equity in their local communities
• Create a national forum to discuss issues of engagement, equity, retention, diversity, and other professional experiences

The format of the event was the same as the previous event. The mentors were divided into pairs and met with groups of three to five mentees at a time for 12 minute discussions. At the end of each session, mentees rotated to the next pair of mentors. By then end of the event, all mentees had a chance to speak with all of the mentors. Mentees where provided with information packets beforehand and came prepared with thoughtful, important questions. 
​The event attracted a large group of mentees at various stages in their careers. Topics of conversation included work life balance, networking, public speaking, how to advance in your career and more.  The mentors provided incredible insight into these topics. 
 
A common theme of discussion was the importance of networking and some strategies for the younger engineers who may find it difficult. One mentee asked Eugene Tuan, president of Tuan and Robinson Structural Engineers, how he built a client base when starting his own business and what advice he had for someone who is introverted. Eugene explained that building relationships with new clients and networking in general is like making friends. The same skills you have developed to make friends throughout your lifetime are the skills you use to build business relationships. He encouraged the mentee to not see his introversion as a limit on his ability to be successful in business. 

Kate Stillwell, founder and CEO of Jumpstart Insurance Solutions, also stressed the importance of networking in business. She spoke about working on her networking skills during her time in business school and suggested Toastmasters as a great alternative for young engineers looking to develop their interpersonal skills.
 
Another topic of conversation was how to be chosen to work on the interesting projects in your firm. David Ojala, a senior associate at Thornton Tomasetti, described how all engineers have to work on the standard, code-based projects. Those projects are necessary to keep all companies going. However, he suggested doing outside research on structural engineering topics of interest. This would put the engineer at an advantage when their company gets a unique project. He also suggested joining one of a few of the SEAONC committees, which provide opportunities to explore some of the more complex challenges in structural engineering. ​