Articles

The Bridge: Spring Program Highlights

The Dallas Branch is proud to have launched the first of its kind monthly program with a wide variety of topics directed specifically to young engineers transitioning into the work force and building the skills necessary for a successful Civil Engineering career. Even though it is geared to Younger Members, we encourage our seasoned members to join in for a refresher or to share in the open discussions.

The July, we will take a brief pause to focus on the Dallas / Ft Worth Branch joint meeting. However, each episode is recorded live and posted on the Branch YouTube channel to ensure that student members have an opportunity to learn about the profession. Please take the opportunity this month to catch up on episodes that you may have missed. We will resume with new episodes starting in August 9th at 1 pm. The August episode is planned to be in-person at the Vouv in Addison and still broadcast on Teams.

TOPIC SURVEY: We are also looking for suggestions for future topics. Please take this short survey to help us plan future programs that you feel would be useful for your career development.

The Bridge - Future Programs Survey

For more information regarding future Bridge Program events, or if you are interested in getting involved with the program, please contact:

Samantha Vail, Younger Member Chair
[email protected]

Nick Phillips, Branch Director
[email protected]

Ed Penton, President Elect
[email protected]

PE Exam Organization and Examinee Panel

THE BRIDGE is a program highlighting information important for the young engineer. This month Ed Penton, PE presents "Organizing Resources for the PE Exam". We also have a Q&A panel of recent test takers to answer any question on their experiences taking the PE exam. The panelists were Phillip Alcorn, PE, Daniel Diaz, Samuel Ewing, Hosna Mousavipour, and Blake Thrower.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpcvLQhOs4k

Hosted by Samantha Vail and Nick Phillips

Record Date:  01-11-2021

Negotiation Basics and the ASCE Salary Survey

Our featured guest speaker is Mark Van Andel from Jacobs Engineering Group presenting the ins and outs of negotiation professionally or even in a social setting. Negotiation is an important skill of communication where any engineer or person, young and old, can practice! Thanks to Nick Phillips presenting the ASCE Salary Calculator (https://www.asce.org/civil-engineering-salaries) where ASCE gathered information of the entire year to create a snapshot of current and long-term trends relating to compensation and benefits. If you want to use the calculator, you have to be registered as an ASCE member or student member! So don’t delay, join today!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNoZTUkAQak

Hosted by Samantha Vail and Nick Phillips

Record Date:  02-08-2021

Virtual Meetings 101

Our featured guest speaker is ASCE Dallas Branch President, Jonathan Brower from L.A. Fuess Partners showcasing a presentation, “Virtual Meetings 101” which will highlight virtual meeting etiquette, as well as how to improve on the ways we partake in, and host online meetings and events. Manny Calderon from Jacobs Engineering Group led an open discussion on tips and tricks in Microsoft Teams.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc8smHcBacU

Hosted by Samantha Vail and Nick Phillips

Record Date:  03-08-2021

Quality 101

Our featured guest speaker this month is Marty Paris, Vice President - Kimley-Horn showcasing a presentation on Quality Control which will highlight common quality control procedures and discuss how to be more self-sufficient when reviewing your own work! Ashlyn Morgan - Kimley-Horn led an open discussion and demonstration of Bluebeam for collaborative reviews. When things get busy, quality is more difficult to maintain! This means as we go into the ever-busy summer season, Quality Control will be critically important!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2dlzoPE7YA

Hosted by Nick Phillips

Recorded: 04/12/2021

Networking 101 / Understanding the Office Environment

Our featured guest speaker this month is Patrick Williams from Urban Engineers showcasing a presentation on Networking Basics which will highlight common techniques to cultivate your professional circle. We will also present a panel on understanding the office environment to help manage your career trajectory. The panelists were Patrick Williams - Urban Engineers, Chris Hoff - Jacobs Engineering Group, and Jonathan Brower - L. A. Fuess.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3cmssgP0ZA

Hosted by Samantha Vail

Recorded: 05/10/2021

Engineering Certifications / Panel Discussion on Pursuing Higher Education

Our featured guest speaker this month is Mark Boyd from LCA Environmental showcasing the “Overview of Engineering Certifications” including what they mean, their uses, and how to get them. The Panel Discussion on Pursuing Higher Education options included Mark Boyd - LCA Environmental, Hosna Mousavipour - Jacobs Engineering Group, Julie Jones - Nathan D. Maier Consulting Engineers, and Ed Penton - Jacobs Engineering Group.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdvUWqDXmnU

Hosted by Samantha Vail and Nick Phillips

Recorded: 06/14/2021