Professional organizations offer a number of opportunities for individuals to expand their knowledge, build connections, and advance their careers. By being an active member of these committees, you can gain access to a wide range of resources, including professional development programs, industry-specific research, and networking events.
Get to know Emily Jennings, an ACEC/MN Scholarship Committee member, through this Q&A and see what professional organization involvement means to her!
Share a little bit about yourself and your role with SEH.
I'm a senior engineer, working in our water resources engineering practice center, and I will have been with SEH for 10 years this summer. I started when I graduated college and have been with SEH ever since. Some of the projects I work on are stormwater engineering and stormwater compliance projects, and I get the opportunity to collaborate with many of our other practice centers. When I am not at work, I love spending time with my family and my 11-month-old.
What inspired you to pursue a career in your field, and how did you get started?
I am a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a civil engineering degree. I didn't always know I wanted to be an engineer, but I've always been a fan of Minnesota's water resources. When I realized that I could make a career out of that, it was a very natural fit for me.
In your opinion, what is the significance of employees' involvement in professional organizations?
Being involved in a professional organization has been a great way to expand my professional network. This opportunity has allowed me to collaborate and network with peers outside of SEH, and it's also helped me stay up-to-date on key topics or issues impacting our industry. Both of these have been helpful for my professional and personal growth.
Can you tell me about the ACEC/MN Scholarship Committee and what it means to you?
The ACEC/MN Scholarship Committee allows me to work alongside other consulting engineers, some with water resources background like me, but also other geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, and civil engineers outside of SEH. We have the chance to meet aspiring and bright students in the field who applied for our scholarship, to reward their dedication and academic accomplishments. Committee members also have the chance to mentor students afterward. We see them from college into early in their careers, which is an amazing way to bring them into the field.
