Early career engineers gather for Las Vegas forum

ASME's Silver State Section held an Early Career Forum targeting 20- to 39-year-old engineers and students on Oct. 21 in Las Vegas. The event took place immediately following the First Annual ASME Conference on Water Quality, Drought, Human Health, and Engineering.

Early Career Forum panelists: (From left to right) Eric Scherch, Nicolas Fontaine, John Lyon, Walt Johnson and Darrell Pepper.

Technical topics discussed during the Early Career Forum included a recap of the water conference, current and emerging water technologies, potential solutions to water issues for the Colorado River, and a presentation by Nick Fontaine and Eric Schersch of Engineers Without Borders-USA. The event also incorporated technical presentations by Darrell Pepper from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; John Lyon of the Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas Division; and Walt Johnson, formerly of the Clark County Water Reclamation District.

Early Career Forum attendees included ASME student members from Cal Poly Pamona University and representatives from Engineers Without Borders-USA.

The importance of young engineers sharpening their interpersonal skills, or "soft" skills was addressed in several sessions during the forum. These presentations included a speech on leadership by Rich Silva of Bechtel SAIC, a resume workshop sponsored by the Keller Graduate School of Management, networking sessions sponsored by the UNLV College of Engineering, and an ASME poster session composed of posters provided by the Knowledge & Community Staff.

Booth sponsors at the event included Bechtel SAIC and the Southern Nevada Water Authority. The Silver State Section extends its appreciation to Cheryl Hasan and Brandy Smith, who provided many hours of ASME Staff support for the event. Due to the overwhelming and enthusiastic response from the forum's participants, the section is already planning for a follow-up Early Career Forum to be held next year.

— Justin R. Young
Chair, Silver State Section

 

back to meetings & courses