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Student Days at Pipelines Seattle July 23-27, 2011

ASCE’s Construction Institute (CI) has developed Student Days, a program designed for civil engineering and construction management students that provides unique experiences to bring classroom lessons to life. Throughout the highly interactive and challenging program, students participate in ASCE conference technical sessions, develop leadership skills, visit an active construction site, and network to gain a broader understanding of the many exciting professional opportunities available after graduation.

The core of the Student Days program is a specially developed Heavy Civil Engineering Challenge competition. Students traveled to Seattle and worked in teams with corporate mentors for three days to develop winning solutions to a heavy civil engineering problem they were presented. Corporate recruiters and CI Board Members were on site to evaluate the students and judge the winning team, based on their solution and presentation.

The students had the opportunity to meet and interview with top corporate recruiters, network with ASCE members in professional and social venues, and expand their professional contact networks by meeting and working together with students from across the country.

Two of the teams prepare for their presentations.

 

The CI Board of Governors participated in a panel discussion to advise the young engineers on a career path to leadership.

 

Another panel discussion was provided by three of Seattle's engineering leaders:

• Christie True, Executive Director, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, presented on Successful Elements of a Construction Project, highlighting the Brightwater Conveyance System Project;
• Joseph Gildner, P.E.,  Deputy Executive Director, Sound Transit, presentated on the University Light Rail Link Project and other unique and groundbreaking transportation projects in the Seattle area with innovative design and construction techniques; and
• David Sowers, P.E., Engineering Manager, Washington State Department of Transportation, presented on the Alaskan Way Viaduct Project and the role of the owner on similar megaprojects

 

The students took advantage of opportunities for interaction with corporate mentors and recruiters from contractors, including Kiewit, Granite Construction and Lane Construction.

CI and Pipelines teamed up to help students get a head start on the journey of life after college, with tools for success and early access to industry possibilities.