Practical Training and Professional Involvement Program for Recent Structural Engineering Graduates

Due to the economic slowdown and its impact on the construction industry, many recent structural engineering graduates have been delayed in securing career positions. In light of this, the SEAONC Board is initiating a program to afford recent graduates in structural engineering an opportunity to stay connected with the profession while they endeavor to obtain career employment. The program will seek to identify and offer professional involvement that includes:
• Participation in SEAONC's committee activities;
• Opportunities to assist with university research initiatives;
• Involvement with structural screening and/or inventory activities for local communities; and
• Practical Training positions with SEAONC members/firms.

Candidates must be recent graduates (within the last 24 months) with a B.S. degree minimum in civil or structural engineering, and they must understand and agree that the practical training and professional involvement is unpaid and is not intended to lead to career employment at the firm or university where the training/involvement occurs.

In terms of the practical training aspect of the program, it is envisioned that this will consist of approximately 80 hours with SEAONC members/firms to be spread over an agreed upon time frame (generally 2 to 4 weeks). During that time, Trainees will be encouraged to absorb as much of the professional atmosphere of the firm as possible. Assignments will vary from firm to firm, but will likely to consist of self-directed training activities such as gaining greater experience with AutoCad, structural analysis and design software, and structural engineering codes and standards, or becoming exposed to the Revit Structure program and related BIM tools. No actual production work is anticipated. A work station and requisite training materials will be made available, and an engineering mentor will be assigned. The role of the mentor will primarily be to serve as a liaison between the Trainee and the profession, alerting the Trainee to the wide range of professional opportunities that exist in the engineering and construction industry.

The Young Members Forum will assist the Board in this effort by maintaining a list of ongoing SEAONC committee activities, university research opportunities, screening activities, and practical training opportunities with SEAONC members/firms. This list will be posted on the SEAONC website.

All members are encouraged to support this vital initiative. Please call or email the SEAONC office to add your firm's name to the list of practical training sites or to suggest SEAONC committee activities, research initiatives, and/or structural screening opportunities. All interested graduates should call or email the SEAONC office to express interest in one of the opportunities posted.