Career By Design

Hello everyone,
I'm currently an undergraduate student and part of my university's ASCE chapter. I'm considering going to graduate school as soon as I finish my undergraduate degree. I'm heavily involved in my student chapter (I'm currently the president).

I'm wondering whether it is worth staying involved with ASCE (Local chapter, student chapter, or just national ASCE) during graduate school. Is there anyone who has been part of ASCE when they were in graduate school? What are your views on the matter?


Best,


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Marina D'souza S.M.ASCE
Philadelphia PA

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Get involved with your local section Younger Members Group.  It does not matter if you are a student or are starting out in your career.  It is a great opportunity to learn from colleagues and engage in community outreach beyond campus.

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Chad Morrison
Greenville RI
(401)231-4870 EXT 2207
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I was an active member during graduate school but within one of ASCE's technical institutes on Transportation and Development. I got involved in committee work on a topic of interest to me. I'd recommend that you consider opportunities to lend your technical expertise to the profession and become more involved in the technical institutes. This will provide the networking and mentoring opportunities to advance your career, personal and professional skills.

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Diniece Peters, EIT, A.M. ASCE
Chair, Infrastructure Systems Committee
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2019 11:36
From: Chad Morrison
Subject: ASCE during graduate school

Get involved with your local section Younger Members Group.  It does not matter if you are a student or are starting out in your career.  It is a great opportunity to learn from colleagues and engage in community outreach beyond campus.

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Chad Morrison
Greenville RI
(401)231-4870 EXT 2207
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------Original Message------

Hello everyone,
I'm currently an undergraduate student and part of my university's ASCE chapter. I'm considering going to graduate school as soon as I finish my undergraduate degree. I'm heavily involved in my student chapter (I'm currently the president).

I'm wondering whether it is worth staying involved with ASCE (Local chapter, student chapter, or just national ASCE) during graduate school. Is there anyone who has been part of ASCE when they were in graduate school? What are your views on the matter?


Best,


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Marina D'souza S.M.ASCE
Philadelphia PA

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Marina,

Last December I concluded my doctorate and I am currently employed in a fantastic private industry organization. In fact, someone I met through a professional organization recommended me for the job. I highly encourage you to remain active within ASCE and other professional organizations that are of your interest. Several reasons come to my mind:

1. You are a professional. The fact that you are in graduate school does not make you less or more <g class="gr_ gr_887 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="887" data-gr-id="887">that</g> any other person that it is active in the industry or academia.
2. Graduate school is <g class="gr_ gr_1097 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="1097" data-gr-id="1097">challening</g>. You will focus most of your attention to learning and contributing to a very specific area of knowledge. As a result, you may develop "tunnel vision". However, when you interact with other professionals in the industry or academia, you will have a better understanding of how your current academic work contributes to the body of knowledge which you are currently studying.
3. The people I met through professional organizations such as ASCE helped me grow tremendously as a person and as a professional. You must remember that graduate school is a 2 to <g class="gr_ gr_1846 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="1846" data-gr-id="1846">6 year</g> endeavor. Therefore, improving both your technical and soft skills will increase the <g class="gr_ gr_2284 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="2284" data-gr-id="2284">likelihood</g> of <g class="gr_ gr_2329 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="2329" data-gr-id="2329">successfully</g> landing your dream job.
4. Have you asked about the perks of being a student member and the low cost of attendance to many events? Just send an email stating if there are reduced rates or be willing to volunteer.
5. <g class="gr_ gr_3223 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="3223" data-gr-id="3223">Least</g> but not less important, you will have fun. Many people enjoy hearing you talk about your research while having a beer ;)

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Carlos Zuluaga C.Eng
Cary NC
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