President's Message

Steven Crook, SE

2024-2025 SEAOC President

“The purpose of life is not to be happy, but to matter—to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all”

-Leo Rosten

“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life forever.”

-Amy Poehler

Just stay home.  I’m not saying you should, but I wouldn’t judge you if you did.  Amidst the exhaustion from politics, the destruction of the fires, and the uncertainty of markets, it’s tempting to pull back, pull away.

But you don’t stay home.  Your willingness to show up continues to challenge and inspire me.  In the past month, SEAOSC hosted a day-long Leadership Symposium.  SEAOCC has been raising money and gathering volunteers for Women Build, hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento.  SEAONC’s association meeting brought together 150 attendees for Steel Showdown, an event where SEAOC Fellows Rafael Sabelli and Jim Malley shared stories from the world of steel design.

And in San Diego, we had one of our year’s marquee events: Student Night.  I love Student Night.  This year was particularly special for me because my oldest kid is a sophomore at SDSU, and I got to share a table with some kids who happened to be sophomores at SDSU.  I heard their stories, and witnessed their enthusiasm for a career that might seem old-fashioned in a world where “AI Prompt Engineer” is an actual thing.  These are kids who truly believe that we will bridge the gap between failure and resilience as we confront disasters of the future.   I remember how it felt to be one of those students, equal parts nervous and hopeful. That night reminded me that our future is in good hands.  Yes, I met people.  Yes, we networked.  But more than that, I was rejuvenated by the energy.   

When I was SEAOSD President in 2019, I wrote about Student Night.  About how much I love fresh starts and second chances.  At the top of that month’s President’s Message, I included a photo of myself with my brother, standing beside my Mustang on the day he deployed to Iraq.  He did make it back from that deployment, but when a loved one serves in the military, you get used to wondering if this is the last time you’ll see them.  Shortly after our 2024 Convention, I spoke with my brother for the last time.  He was 51, and I’d known for a long time that any day could be “the day," but I still wasn’t ready.  Every holiday since then has been a fresh shock that I won’t see him at the table.  Each milestone in my kids’ lives is a fresh hurt that he’s not there to share it with.  But it has also been a chance to experience an unexpected joy: my kids remember him, and sometimes tell holiday stories about him.

Fresh starts: I’m almost mid-way through my year as your President, but this time of year feels like the best time of year. For instance, SEAOC Trivia Nights are coming to a local meeting near you.  As we saw last year, structural engineers are surprisingly competitive when it comes to obscure facts.  For those of you in San Diego, come see if you can beat me (without cheating this time; I’m looking at you, Peter Maloney).

What I see across all these events is a pattern: community, collaboration, contribution. We are strongest when we show up for each other. These events don’t happen without volunteers, and they don’t thrive without participation. So thank you—to the planners, the speakers, the attendees, the quiet helpers behind the scenes. You are the life of SEAOC.

So don’t stay home.  Let’s keep showing up.

SEAOC 2025 SE Pathways - Apply by March 30th!

Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC) is pleased to present an opportunity for structural engineering students and early-career professionals to participate in the Fourth SE Pathways Cohort kicking off at the 2025 SEAOC Convention in San Diego, CA, September 3-5. This is the final week to apply to be apart of the 2025 SEAOC SE Pathways Cohort. If someone you know is within their first 3-years of Structural Engineering, please share this incredible opportunity with them. Keep reading to learn more about the SE Pathways program and how to apply.

With activities during the convention and throughout the following year, the Pathways Program provides opportunities for aspiring or new engineers to network with colleagues and practicing professionals throughout the state of California; learn key issues impacting the SE profession, including the need to improve workforce equity and diversity; and meet trade representatives who may assist them in future practice. Most importantly, cohort members will help shape the future of Structural Engineering in California. 

SEAOC encourages interested Structural Engineering Students and Early Career Professionals, especially individuals belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in the profession, to apply to join the 2025 SE Pathways Cohort. Students should be in their third year of undergraduate engineering and have structural engineering emphasis in their studies. Early-career professionals should be within their first three years of structural engineering industry involvement and be members of SEAOC via membership in SEAOSC, SEAOSD, SEAOCC or SEAONC. 

To learn more about the benefits of being part of the 2025 SE Pathways Cohort, visit the SEAOC Pathways Application Page and SE Pathways Website. Applications are due March 30th! 

To become one of this year’s valued SE Pathways sponsors, please visit the SEAOC SE Pathways Sponsorship Page.

Thank you so much for an amazing experience at my first convention! I learned so much each day and am excited to see what the future holds for myself as an engineer and member of SEAOC. The professional development tracks were especially insightful as a young professional. Being able to talk candidly with engineers farther along in their career was one of the best parts of the experience. I hope I can attend conventions in the future and work my way into a mentor position to help future cohort members! Thanks again!

- 2022 Cohort Member, Palm Springs

SEAOC College of Fellows Scholarship - Call for Applications

Purpose:

The Structural Engineers Association of California’s College of Fellows is pleased to announce its offer of the 2025 SEAOC College of Fellows Scholarship. The objective of the scholarship is to raise the level of structural engineering by promoting the educational development of California structural engineers through advanced degrees. This scholarship is intended to recognize those that have completed an undergraduate degree, moved on to work in engineering practice or research, and are now returning for a graduate degree.

The Scholarship:   

A $5,000 grant will be made to the selected scholar towards graduate school expenses at an accredited graduate school program in Structural Engineering, or in Civil or Architectural Engineering with a structural emphasis. While the scholarship is primarily intending to encourage scholars attending California institutions, those attending institutions outside of California will be considered.

Eligibility:

The applicant shall meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Hold an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or Architectural Engineering from an accredited engineering school or university and,
• Have a year or more of structural engineering practice or research experience following receipt of the undergraduate degree (the year must be completed by the time the graduate degree starts, a full time internship of up to six months can be considered towards the year),
• Have applied to but not yet started an accredited graduate school program in Structural Engineering, or in Civil or Architectural Engineering with a structural emphasis, and
• Have been a member for at least six months in one of the four SEAOC member organizations (SEAOCC, SEAONC, SEAOSD, or SEAOSC). Any class of membership is acceptable. 

Application

The applicant shall submit:

• A resume describing education and engineering or research experience (not to exceed two pages),
• A statement of career goals and reason for pursing an advanced degree (not to exceed one page),
• Evidence of application to or acceptance in a graduate school program as noted in the eligibility criteria,
• A statement of how the award would make a difference in their education or their engagement with structural engineering (not to exceed one page), and
• Two letters of recommendation including:
• One from a member of a SEAOC Member Organization (SEAOSD, SEAOSC, SEAOCC or SEAONC) who holds either Member or Member SE class of membership. 
• One from a second Member or Member SE of a SEAOC Member Organization as per above, or a professor from the applicant’s undergraduate program.

These items shall be submitted to the SEAOC office at SEAOC@SEAOC.org by 5 pm (PST) April 14, 2025. Please indicate “College of Fellows Scholarship” in the subject line.

Selection

An awardee will be selected by a Selection Committee appointed by the College of Fellows Scholarship Committee. Awardees will be contacted by April 30, 2025. The scholarship may or may not be awarded in any given year at the discretion of the Selection Committee. The selection process is entirely at the discretion of the Selection Committee and the College of Fellows.

Award of Funds

The funds for the scholarship will be issued upon submission of evidence of enrollment in the first term of the accredited graduate school program. 

Additional

The awardee will be invited to assist the College of Fellows with publicizing the scholarship program.

Questions

Questions should be directed to both dschinske@seaoc.org and kcobeen@wje.com. Submit questions no later than April 7, 2025.