PRESENTATION – “A Mentoring Evening for Young Structural Engineers” by SESOC Group of Panellists

When – Tuesday 15 May 2018//

Where – The University of Auckland, Symonds Street, Auckland, Conference Centre Lecture Theatre Room ALR5/421W-301 in the Architecture Facility. This is adjacent to the Engineering Building.//

Agenda –
17:30 Pre-presentation refreshments kindly sponsored by SESOC
18:00 Presentation
The session is expected to last approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours, but can run on longer if necessary

Please register for this presentation below:

Abstract

At the SESOC Conference in November last year, one of the sessions involved a ‘speed mentoring’ session, in which groups of four or five young engineers sat at tables, and pairs of senior engineers rotated around to answer questions and provide advice to the young engineers on the general problems they face as graduates, what training and experience to seek, and how their skills should develop, as opposed to specific technical issues.

Based on the attendance and engagement by young engineers at that session, and in response to direct requests, SESOC recognises the need to provide general mentoring and professional development advice to young structural engineers. To start this process, an open mentoring session will be held.

The format will consist of:

• Mentors, who will make short introductory statements, then field questions from the audience,
• As many young structural engineers who can fit into the lecture theatre,
• Open questions from the floor, with no set agenda, other than specific technical questions cannot be addressed,
• Although aimed at structural engineers, some other related civil fields such as geotechnical may find the session worthwhile.

The mentors have between them experience in:

• Working as consulting structural engineers, in firms of all sizes, from the largest multi-disciplinary companies to sole practice, both in NZ and overseas,
• Design and construction experience from houses through to the largest commercial, industrial and infrastructure developments,
• The full range of work a structural engineer will do, from checking shop detail drawings through to leading the design and construction of major projects, to acting as expert witnesses, sitting on standards committees, and attempting to shape policy at Central Government level,
• Mentoring young engineers within their own companies.

Mentors

The mentors include:
• Paul Campbell, former President of SESOC, National Technical Director – Building Structures – WSP|Opus,
• George Downey, Director, Lough Downey Ltd,
• Nick Gillespie, Structural Practice Leader NZ – Mott MacDonald,
• John Mitchell, Manager – Structural Engineering, Dodd Civil Consultants Ltd,
• Stephen Power, Regional Leader – Northern, Calibre Consulting,
• John Scarry, John Scarry Engineering