Utility, Engineering + Surveying - Winter 2019 - 7

Building the Professional Pipeline:

Younger Member Engagement
Today's utility industry faces numerous challenges, including increased infrastructure demands,
delayed schedules, poor communications with
utility owners and project safety concerns. At the
same time, these challenges are creating opportunity.
"Utilities are moving from below the surface
to the forefront," said Kris Harbin, chair of the
Younger Member Engagement Committee.
That means higher profile and demand for the
professionals capable of overcoming the challenges,
as indicated in the ASCE 2018 civil engineering
salary survey. The median pre-tax salary for civil
engineers with an undergraduate degree was
$97,000, $109,000 with a graduate degree (M.A./
M.S.) and increased further with advanced degrees
and licensure. Median base salaries, meanwhile,
rose between 4 and 5 percent each year since 2014,
to $104,000 in 2018.
"This confirms that our skills are appreciated,
and our profession is not only challenging and exciting, but provides a good livelihood," noted Harbin. "Even more significantly, utilities engineers
ranked as one of the highest-paid disciplines in
civil engineering."
Recognizing the need
Social events, like
for building a pipeline of
this one in Houston,
outstanding young engipromote mentoring
and collaborating
neers to become leaders
with younger
in the utility engineering
members.
and surveying industry,
UESI created the Younger Member Engagement Committee.
"Our mission is to encourage younger member
participation and involvement within UESI, and
serve as a voice for younger members' interests,
while cultivating leadership in industry," said
Harbin.
The committee accomplishes this through three
main task groups:
* Conference Opportunities focuses on scholarships, competitions and increased UESI awareness throughout colleges and universities.
* Webinars and Information will offer short
informational publications on broad topics for
the continuing education of younger members.
* Outreach and Networking introduces UESI to
local ASCE chapters and promotes mentorship
of and collaboration with younger members by
hosting social and educational events.
"If you are a UESI member, age 35 and under,
and would like to advance your leadership and
communication skills, or grow in your network,
I encourage you to become involved with the
Committee," said Harbin.

Source: American Society of Civil Engineers, 2018 Salary Study.

Committee Contacts
Reach out to any of these members for information and involvement opportunities:
Kris Harbin, Committee Chair, kbharbin@crimson.ua.edu
Jarred Jones, Conference Opportunities Group Lead, jarred.jones@ncsd.sc.gov
Berk Uslu, Webinar and Information Group Lead, berk.uslu@aecom.com
Trisha Frederick, Outreach and Networking Group Lead, tfrederick@costelloinc.com
Shishir Manjunath, Outreach and Networking Group Co‐Lead,
smanjunath@binkleybarfield.com

Utility, Engineering + Surveying - Winter 2019

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