Professional and Career Topics

I read the recent article How to address the civil engineering workforce numbers problem and the report it references, "Strategies to Address Engineering Workforce Challenges" and do not see much of a strategy. Rather, I see various ideas, concepts, and objectives. While there are many different definitions of strategy out there, the one that speaks to me is an integrative set of choices that positions you on a playing field of your choice in a way that you win. Although I am passionate about civil engineering, I think there are some harsh realities that we need to face up to if we're going to keep the profession vibrant and competitive with other STEM fields. I would appreciate it if others could share their perspectives on what they are doing to attract and retain talent in the field of civil engineering.

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Mitch Winkler P.E.(inactive), M.ASCE
Houston, TX
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Hi Mitchell, we are currently dealing with a youth who wants, with the least amount of effort, to get maximum dividends. The case of civil engineering is a profession where physical and mental efforts are needed to train and develop the profession, and the income is not necessarily the highest in the market. The above, taking into account the new trends of young people to be athletes, famous artists or content generators (influencers), who earn money for likes or applause after an effort not comparable to other professions or activities. The invitation is that as professionals and professors, we show students that being rich or famous is not the goal to achieve for society; being an engineer comes with the responsibility to serve society. We can only achieve this by exposing high school and university students to these realities that they can impact with their knowledge. Being rich and famous is banal.

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Andres Guzman D.Eng., MEng, Ing., M.ASCE
Associate Professor
UNIVERSIDAD DEL NORTE
Barranquilla
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Isn't producing the least amount of effort to receive maximum compensation simply how labor supply and demand works?  Altruisim doesn't pay the increasingly more expensive mortgage, after all.

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Vanessa Rollins P.E., M.ASCE
Civil Engineer
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-22-2023 06:53 PM
From: Andres Guzman
Subject: Are we doing enough to attract and retain civil engineering talent?

Hi Mitchell, we are currently dealing with a youth who wants, with the least amount of effort, to get maximum dividends. The case of civil engineering is a profession where physical and mental efforts are needed to train and develop the profession, and the income is not necessarily the highest in the market. The above, taking into account the new trends of young people to be athletes, famous artists or content generators (influencers), who earn money for likes or applause after an effort not comparable to other professions or activities. The invitation is that as professionals and professors, we show students that being rich or famous is not the goal to achieve for society; being an engineer comes with the responsibility to serve society. We can only achieve this by exposing high school and university students to these realities that they can impact with their knowledge. Being rich and famous is banal.

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Andres Guzman D.Eng., MEng, Ing., M.ASCE
Associate Professor
UNIVERSIDAD DEL NORTE
Barranquilla
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Agreed Vanessa!

Compensation doesn't have to be entirely monetary of course, but if compensation isn't sufficient, why should someone choose to be an engineer, which requires licensing, risk, education and hard work? Anyway, I'm hopeful that there continues to be a shortage of labor (if that is even the case), so I can charge more for my services, which will in turn attract more talent.

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Nathaniel Martin P.E., M.ASCE
Engineer III
Tampa FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-30-2023 10:53 AM
From: Vanessa Rollins
Subject: Are we doing enough to attract and retain civil engineering talent?

Isn't producing the least amount of effort to receive maximum compensation simply how labor supply and demand works?  Altruisim doesn't pay the increasingly more expensive mortgage, after all.

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Vanessa Rollins P.E., M.ASCE
Civil Engineer
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-22-2023 06:53 PM
From: Andres Guzman
Subject: Are we doing enough to attract and retain civil engineering talent?

Hi Mitchell, we are currently dealing with a youth who wants, with the least amount of effort, to get maximum dividends. The case of civil engineering is a profession where physical and mental efforts are needed to train and develop the profession, and the income is not necessarily the highest in the market. The above, taking into account the new trends of young people to be athletes, famous artists or content generators (influencers), who earn money for likes or applause after an effort not comparable to other professions or activities. The invitation is that as professionals and professors, we show students that being rich or famous is not the goal to achieve for society; being an engineer comes with the responsibility to serve society. We can only achieve this by exposing high school and university students to these realities that they can impact with their knowledge. Being rich and famous is banal.

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Andres Guzman D.Eng., MEng, Ing., M.ASCE
Associate Professor
UNIVERSIDAD DEL NORTE
Barranquilla

Hi Mitchell! 

I've thought quite a bit about this topic since the Great Resignation and quiet quitting became the buzz - as someone who is on the cusp of Gen Z I find myself agreeing with perspectives in this thread about the new generation wanting to put in the least effort for the most reward but I won't get too much into that. 

I don't know of a perfect strategy to attract and retain people - it is dependent on individual needs and goals. From my experience I believe that needs and goals these days are trending more toward higher compensation, better work life balance, and actually liking the work that we do. As a mid-level engineer I don't have the power to directly impact the first two things, but I try to support younger employees and college students through mentorship and their own individual professional development to empower them to build their success in those two areas. I have also gotten younger engineers involved with professional organizations to help foster a sense of fulfillment and engagement with the profession or industry. 

I think it's easy to list general strategies but difficult to implement those strategies effectively without management understanding the needs of team members at a personal level. 

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Wing-Mei Ko P.E., M.ASCE
Derwood MD
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Mitchell:

We (individuals, companies, organizations, employers) need to empower our (civil) engineers to make a difference in our world, through creating an engaging atmosphere to work in, investing in our people, creating opportunities for creative input and career advancement, while expecting solutions to the challenges that society faces.

Through careful career management by both individuals and employers, collectively, this "job" will become a passion and so much more than a living or paycheck.     

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Douglas MannP.E., BC.CE, M.ASCE
Lake WorthFL
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I have had the recent opportunity to interview multiple early career engineers.  During those interviews we also allow the applicants to ask questions of us, so that they can obtain information of interest to them.  A common theme has a risen from these early career engineers- they allow want opportunities to be mentored. whether the mentoring is formal, or informal.  If we are going to recruit and retain (inspire?) the next generation, we are going to have to meet them where they are at.  

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Douglas MannP.E., BC.CE, M.ASCE
Lake WorthFL
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-13-2023 06:54 PM
From: Douglas Mann
Subject: Are we doing enough to attract and retain civil engineering talent?

Mitchell:

We (individuals, companies, organizations, employers) need to empower our (civil) engineers to make a difference in our world, through creating an engaging atmosphere to work in, investing in our people, creating opportunities for creative input and career advancement, while expecting solutions to the challenges that society faces.

Through careful career management by both individuals and employers, collectively, this "job" will become a passion and so much more than a living or paycheck.     

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Douglas MannP.E., BC.CE, M.ASCE
Lake WorthFL
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Dear Douglas, I couldn't agree more.

I am constantly contacted by students and professionals through social networks (LinkedIn, Twitter) or email. They constantly look for benchmarks or guidance to succeed in life and always consider our "wisdom" to do that. 

This is an invitation to be alert to inspire others with our behavior and acts (in person and online).

Regards, 
AG

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Andres Guzman D.Eng., MEng, Ing., M.ASCE
Associate Professor
UNIVERSIDAD DEL NORTE
Barranquilla
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-20-2023 08:39 AM
From: Douglas Mann
Subject: Are we doing enough to attract and retain civil engineering talent?

I have had the recent opportunity to interview multiple early career engineers.  During those interviews we also allow the applicants to ask questions of us, so that they can obtain information of interest to them.  A common theme has a risen from these early career engineers- they allow want opportunities to be mentored. whether the mentoring is formal, or informal.  If we are going to recruit and retain (inspire?) the next generation, we are going to have to meet them where they are at.  

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Douglas MannP.E., BC.CE, M.ASCE
Lake WorthFL
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-13-2023 06:54 PM
From: Douglas Mann
Subject: Are we doing enough to attract and retain civil engineering talent?

Mitchell:

We (individuals, companies, organizations, employers) need to empower our (civil) engineers to make a difference in our world, through creating an engaging atmosphere to work in, investing in our people, creating opportunities for creative input and career advancement, while expecting solutions to the challenges that society faces.

Through careful career management by both individuals and employers, collectively, this "job" will become a passion and so much more than a living or paycheck.     

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Douglas MannP.E., BC.CE, M.ASCE
Lake WorthFL

I was thinking about this topic tonight in the context of the related post on showing gratitude and wonder if the attraction strategy is all wrong. Rather than focus on the great things that civil engineers do, maybe we need to broaden the focus to all the great things you can do with a civil engineering degree, e.g., engineering, finance, law, entrepreneurship. Basically, the idea is to cast a wider net and hope the absolute number of graduates that will go into the civil engineering professional ranks is the equivalent or greater than what it is today. Attracting more students - even those not interested in making civil engineering a career - will ensure that civil engineering departments stay viable. And who knows, the profession's attractiveness might sell itself as students experience the career possibilities firsthand. 

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Mitch Winkler P.E.(inactive), M.ASCE
Houston, TX
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