Why All Engineers Should Get Involved in Professional Associations – Ep 093

In this episode, we talk to Krista Looza, S.E., a licensed structural engineer and principal at Buehler, about how her involvement in the Structural Engineering Association of California (aka SEAOC) has supported her career path and professional development, and why she think all engineers should get involved in professional associations. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Krista: What is SEAOC and what can it offer for structural engineers? What roles have you filled at SEAOC through the years and how have those experiences supported your professional development? Should ALL engineers get involved in professional associations? What was your experience like being a female engineering leader in SEAOC? What made you decide to get involved in the ACE Mentor Program, and how has it helped you in your engineering career? How do you decide what to work on each day while maintaining a healthy work-life balance? What is your philosophy on mentorship and training? How did you implement a mentorship program in Buehler? Do you have any career advice for structural engineers out there? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Why All Engineers Should Get Involved in Professional Associations: There are many roles you can fill and many experiences you can learn from if you are actively involved in SEAOC. It is a great place where you can develop yourself professionally. There are many kinds of training that you can be involved in to better your education, leadership skills, communication skills, and much more. It is a great community where you can build and grow your network exponentially. SEAOC is a community where you will not feel alone when times are looking bad. The community will support you through these times, which will result in feelings of comfort, peace, and knowing you are on the right track. They provide great opportunities for your professional development and building your relationships in your network. If you want to get involved with professional associations, look for a committee that is focused on your interests and what you want to be involved in. Go to the meetings about whichever topic you are passionate about. You do not have to be in a leadership role, but leadership roles are easy to come by. SEAOC is great at filling the gaps that a firm or company cannot do. Women can find female engineering role models in professional associations that they could not find in their firms. Seeing other women in leadership roles will make you realize that you too can be successful in a leadership role and lend what you have to offer to the profession and your firm. The community that you may not have in other areas of your life you will find at a professional association like SEAOC. Exposure to the diversity of our profession and industry is more available than it ever was before, and is much more accessible for our younger engineers. The ACE Mentorship Program is a friendly place where you can practice your communication and presentation skills, and it will present you with leadership opportunities. It can help you recognize patterns in your interests that you never took note of before. It is the opportunity for you to show people that are interested in your career path as well as which way you want to go. It is a great way to give back and further your profession. The best way to ensure your work-life balance as an engineer is to become a list maker. Put everything in your life on your list and calendar because everything has it’s priority, not only your work. It is all a part of your daily life. Set your list according to priority. Whatever is at the bottom of this week’s list must be at the top of next week’s list. Learn to qualify when you should say yes or no to things...