Articles

ASCE president looks at what's ahead for civil engineers

Kathy Caldwell is the 2010-2011 president of ASCE.


What has the civil engineering profession learned from the recession and how will this help shape the future of the profession?

Money magazine just named civil engineering one of the top 10 "Best Jobs in America" and U.S. News & World Report just named civil engineering one of the 50 best careers. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts stronger employment for civil engineers than the national average. Of course, employment is nowhere near the levels we have seen in the past. To stay current and relevant in this competitive economy, individuals and companies have been re-learning some skills and developing new ones through continuing education and other training programs and opportunities.

However, mounting concern over the national debt creates a challenging environment for the significant investments infrastructure improvement requires. President Barack Obama has acknowledged the role infrastructure investment can play in stimulating and improving the nation's economy, and has declared his commitment to improving the condition of our roads, pipes, dams and other critical support systems. There are also indicators of increased public support for infrastructure investment. When the public can see the benefits they will reap from improved infrastructure -- and the consequences of doing nothing -- it becomes an issue they can be passionate about, particularly when money is tight in their own homes. If we can sustain that level of support and commitment, 2011 has the potential to be the "Year of Infrastructure."

What is the one biggest challenge facing the profession and practicing engineers that can be crafted into the biggest opportunity?

The biggest challenges facing the civil engineering profession in 2011 shouldn't be all that surprising. Despite its crumbling condition, investment in the nation's infrastructure remains woefully inadequate. Our roads, bridges, water systems and railways are the foundation on which our society is built and can thrive, but their condition is all too often "out of sight, out of mind." This presents a challenge to civil engineers, and signals an even greater challenge to the nation. How can we expect to maintain our quality of life or see our economy rebound without adequately functioning infrastructure systems? Civil engineers have the solutions for building a sustainable future; now we need the resources and political leadership to move forward.

Civil engineers must also become creative and find new ways to put projects together, find efficiencies via system-wide optimization and work with regulators to streamline permitting requirements. Owners must also work to encourage the use of new technology and innovation.

Some of the world has become more cognizant of the need for attention to sustainability -- in business practices, in the use of natural resources and energy, and even in the quality of life. How is ASCE responding to the growing call for sustainability in all these areas?

The civil engineering profession is committed to sustainable practices and ASCE is committed to leading the way forward. The society has dedicated significant resources, both capital and human, to advancing our sustainability-related goals and objectives. We're working on a number of exciting new sustainability initiatives, all of which stress the importance of a triple bottom line approach to sustainability: economic growth, environmental stewardship and social progress.

In partnership with APWA and ACEC, we are developing a cross-sector infrastructure sustainability rating system that will be formally launched in the spring of 2011. In addition to the rating system, ASCE is also developing certification programs and continuing education opportunities, as well as collecting and sharing case studies demonstrating sustainable practice in action.