Beset on one side by those who think algorithmic engineering techniques can replace engineers, and on the other by architects and owners who seem to believe that anything is now possible, structural engineers are being called to innovate and evolve, not only for their own professional survival but also for the good of the world.
(Image courtesy of Redshift.)
But unlike disciplines like law or medicine, there is no prescribed postdegree approach to continuing education and professional development for practicing structural engineers—either in university-based programs or through mentoring or internship opportunities. And this need for career-long learning is more pressing than ever.
“For decades, structural engineers have been taught to focus in large part on hazard mitigation and to work primarily with prospective design codes,” says Jerome F. Hajjar, PhD, PE, CDM Smith professor and department chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Boston’s Northeastern University. “But new opportunities are beginning to arise; for example, the world is beginning to value resilience and sustainability in buildings in addition to hazard mitigation, and codes are not yet fully addressing this.
“The extent to which new technologies will be used, and should be used, is critical for our profession, and structural engineers are increasingly asking and answering those questions,” Hajjar says.
So what are effective strategies for developing and…