The dwindling United States workforce for all engineering and scientific disciplines is a growing problem, and civil engineering is no exception. If the U.S. is to address the challenges it faces with an aging infrastructure, shrinking energy and water resources, and globalization, we must act now to attract, educate, and train talented new professionals to civil engineering to compete in a rapidly changing, technology-driven world. ASCE’s 138th Annual Civil Engineering Conference ENGINEERING: The Workforce of the Future, will describe the issues and offer solutions.
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3:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
What does the future hold for the civil engineering profession? How will you step up to meet the industry’s new challenges and thrive in the civil engineering workforce?
Jason Jennings, business thought-leader and best-selling author, brings two decades of experience building businesses to his keynote address at ASCE’s 138th Annual Civil Engineering Conference. Named one of the three most in-demand business speakers in the world by USA Today, Jennings’ books command a spot on best-seller lists, including his most recent, Think BIG-Act Small. Reap the rewards of Jennings’ five leadership secrets, delivered to you after his extensive research of more than 160,000 companies. These secrets will help you work in a faster, more productive and innovative environment that will drive customer satisfaction, gain employee/worker buy-in, and consistently expand your firm’s bottom line.
Presenter:
Jason Jennings, Author, Think BIG-Act Small |
Moderators:
Anthony DiGioia, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., Dist.M.ASCE |
Richard Gray, |
David G. Mongan, |
CEO Forum: By CEOs…For Everyone
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
How are civil engineering employers preparing for the workforce of the future? What issues should CEOs be addressing today? Bring your burning issues directly to our panel of experts and help direct a stimulating discussion among leaders of the civil engineering profession. Jason Jennings, the opening plenary speaker, will moderate the Forum and add his unique business and leadership expertise. All attendees are invited to participate in this stimulating session.
Moderator: Jason Jennings, Author and Opening Plenary Speaker
Panelists: Allen D. Biehler, P.E., Secretary of Transportation, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (invited); Robert (Bob) Luffy, P.E., M.ASCE, President & CEO, American Bridge; Celestino R. Pennoni, P.E., L.S., F.ASCE, Chairman, Pennoni Associates; James A. Rispoli, P.E., F.ASCE, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy; Shirley Ann Jackson Ph.D., President Rensselaer Polytechnic University
Much has been written about the dwindling workforce for all engineering and scientific disciplines. It is well known the problem must be addressed and solved if the United States is to maintain its worldwide leadership in technology. Join us to learn about programs developed and successfully implemented by various engineering and other organizations, and discover how you can become an active participant in the solution to this national crisis.
Changing the Conversation
10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
The result of a comprehensive and groundbreaking study led by the National Academies of Engineering (NAE) and funded by the National Science Foundation, the new report Changing the Conversation argues one of the greatest obstacles to attracting talent to engineering is the lack of compelling messages that appeal to younger generations. This session will report on the surprising findings of this unique project and present the messages recommended by the study’s authors. Speakers will also examine the success of programs that have adapted engineering messages and approaches to attract students from groups underrepresented in engineering, including women, African American, Hispanic American, and Native American/American Indian students. This session will end with a discussion of a recent production by WQED that poses the question to young people: “Did you ever think about a career in engineering?”
Moderator: Anthony Iannacchione Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, Principal Research Engineer, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, NIOSH
Presenter: James H. Johnson, Jr., P.E., F.ASCE, Howard University; Cathy Leslie, P.E., M.ASCE, Executive Director, Engineers Without Borders - USA; Rick Sebak, Producer/Writer/Narrator, WQED Pittsburgh History Series “Stop Calling This a Problem.”
K-12 Engineering Education
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
In our increasingly technical world, would all students benefit from a K-12 curriculum that includes engineering principles along with math, science, language arts and social studies? Explore emerging approaches to integrating engineering into the formal K-12 curriculum.
Moderator: Ken R. Maschke, P.E., A.M.ASCE, Social Engineer, Thornton Thomasetti (invited)
Presenters: Tom Weiss, Affiliate Director, Project Lead the Way; Deborah Spencer, Program Manager/Resource Teacher, ASSET Inc.; Kate E. Hester, M.A.T., Content Development Director for the EiE Program, Boston Museum of Science
Engineering Outreach Programs
2:45 – 4:15 p.m.
Many new activities are being developed (learn how engineers are using proven outreach programs) to help students and teachers connect math and science principles to real world engineering. This session will highlight proven outreach programs and resources available to the engineering community.
Moderator: James H. Johnson, Jr., P.E., F.ASCE, Howard University Presenters: Ken R. Maschke, P.E., A.M.ASCE, Social Engineering, Thornton Thomasetti; Alex Sciulli, P.E., M.ASCE, National City Bank; Pam Mullender, President, ACE Mentor Program of America
The consequences of Hurricane Katrina were devastating, but the development and application of new tools for system-wide risk-based project evaluation in New Orleans and in California represent a great opportunity that could change the way the nation prioritizes investment in civil infrastructure, particularly those intended to reduce risk from natural hazards such as hurricanes, earthquakes, fire and the effects of climate change. Learn from the experts how methods are evolving to quantify risk for large, multi-faceted and geographically distributed infrastructure systems against a variety of hazards. Develop strategies on how to understand and effectively manage risk in the future.
Where is risk-based decision making going?
10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Explore the accomplishments and challenges of quantifying risk for large distributed infrastructure systems. How is current knowledge being adapted to this new challenge and what types of information can be gained? Discuss where these methods need to go to best serve society and what is the civil engineer’s role in developing and applying these tools.
Moderator: Gregory Baecher, Ph.D., M.ASCE, Professor, University of Maryland
Presenter: Martin W. McCann, Jr., Ph.D., A.M.ASCE, Technical Lead,
Delta Risk Management Strategy
Public policy and risk-based decision making
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Risk assessment has been a routine tool in some areas of civil engineering but is just now emerging in others. Policy does not exist to facilitate the application of a new decision paradigm in areas such as natural hazard risk reduction. Define the current policy issues and challenges, discuss the most important changes needed in policy impacting infrastructure systems, and define the role that engineers need to play in the evolution of policy.
Moderator: Ed Link, Ph.D., M.ASCE, Chair of IPET Risk Team, University of Maryland
Presenter: Gerald E. Galloway, Jr., P.E., Hon.D.WRE, Dist.M.ASCE,NAE, Professor, University of Maryland and Past President, American Water Resources Association
Communicating risk
2:45 – 4:15 p.m.
Risk is a simple four letter word but very complex in the way it is interpreted and used. Explore the major challenges in communicating risk to the public and to public officials. Delineate the methods that have been successfully used in other domains and explore how they might be adopted for civil engineering purposes. Help define the role civil engineers must play in communicating risk and the strategy to be successful.
Moderator: Bob Gilbert, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, Professor, University of Texas
Presenter: Peter M. Sandman, Ph.D., Professor Rutgers University (invited)
Leadership is more than being the head of an organization. Leaders influence, set long-term visions, and inspire. Developing leadership skills such as time management, public speaking, and networking will help you meet the future challenges facing civil engineers in an increasingly fast-paced and globalized marketplace.
Influence
10:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Today’s team-oriented engineering projects require leaders who can do more than calculate. Learn personal communication skills, including setting goals, objectives, and milestones, which are paramount to delivering projects on time and on budget. This session will teach you to make business contacts, get results from your team, and dress for success.
The link between a leader and his or her business demands that you get out into the world, establish new relationships, and leave a memorable impression. Improve your networking skills and then learn the power of influence. Once you’ve learned to communicate outside your organization and motivate within, make sure you look good doing it with pointers on how to dress for success.
Presenter: Richard Overmoyer, M.P.A., Principal, Director of Economic Architecture, GSP Consulting Corporation
Vision
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Leaders must understand the road that lies ahead in order to effectively guide their organization’s future. This session explores future issues facing infrastructure in both the public and private sectors. Be part of the discussion on the upcoming critical infrastructure funding challenges facing the United States. Then, examine how the changing energy sector will require engineering firms to design infrastructure
projects to minimize consumption and maximize sustainability.Moderator: Brian Pallasch, CAE, Aff.M.ASCE, Managing Director, Government Relations, ASCE
Presenter: To be Announceed
Inspire
2:45 – 4:15 p.m.
Leaders must create synergy between their team and the mission at hand. Our speakers offer plans to deliver organizational change and inspire others to accomplish your group’s goals. Learn how to turn changes in your projects and firms into best practices. And, learn how to draw out the positive assets in others and motivate your team to achieve its goals.
Presenter: Roland Lazzaro, MBA, Chief Strategic Officer, Chester Engineers
New this year, ASCE is bringing to you, our valued member and attendee, topics relating to you and your career. These sessions are designed to enhance your career and professional development.
CEO Only Session
10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Join fellow CEOs to discuss key issues affecting your business and the civil engineering profession. Jason Jennings, opening plenary speaker and CEO Forum moderator, will facilitate this session utilizing his 20+ years experience founding, leading, and studying successful businesses. Participate in this exclusive opportunity to share and discuss critical challenges and solutions with fellow civil engineering leaders.
Moderator: Jason Jennings, Plenary Speaker and CEO Forum Moderator
How to Find the Perfect Job
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
You’ve graduated, and now it’s time to find your first job. But, the profession is broad, so where do you start? Your work could take you from engineering design firms, construction contractors, owners, architects, and fabricators to designing, selling, or managing projects within organizations that are large or small, private or public. Now, you can have a system for finding the perfect job that custom fits who you are. Dr. Deborah Fisher, civil engineering professor, and co-author of the national award-winning book Four Secrets to Liking Your Work, shares four basic laws of what she calls “people physics.” These laws teach us how to understand our own actions, how to work better with others and, most importantly, how to find the right position where we can be more successful once we’re there.
Presenter: Deborah Fisher, Ph.D., A.M.ASCE, Associate Professor, University of New Mexico
The Four Laws of People Physics
2:45 – 4:15 p.m.
As civil engineering professionals, we interact with a diverse population that includes owners and contractors, fellow designers, regulators, fabricators, and architects, just to name a few. People problems often get in the way of our effectiveness as engineers. Wouldn’t it be nice to understand human interaction and pull “people types” out of a manual like steel beams? Dr. Deborah Fisher, a civil engineering professor and co-author of the national award-winning book Four Secrets to Liking Your
Work, will demystify human interaction. She will cover the science of behavior, motivation, task balance, and emotional intelligence and show how these relate in our everyday interactions.
Presenter: Deborah Fisher, Ph.D., A.M.ASCE, Associate Professor, University
of New Mexico
4:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Robotics in Civil Engineering
Friday’s sessions end with a presentation on Robotics in Civil Engineering by internationally-known expert William L. "Red" Whittaker, Ph.D., the Director of Carnegie Mellon University’s Field Robotics Program. Listen as he touches base on the state of the robotics industry and the direction in which lunar development is headed. Get the facts from a man who has helped create robots that have searched for meteorites in Antarctica, climbed into the active volcanoes of Alaska, and explored the terrains of Mars. After Dr. Whittaker finishes prepare to laugh as the Galileo Players have prepared a show just for the Closing Plenary. The Galileo Players are a professional comedy troupe known for smart humor and heady themes. During their performance they will provide an audience-interactive mix of smart, clean, and original scripted sketch and Improv comedy. This will definitely be an event you will never forget.
Presenter:
William L. “Red” Whittaker, Ph.D., Director, Field Robotics Program, Carnegie Mellon University |
