A Message From the President
I’m excited to be the President of the San Francisco section of YMF for this year. I’ve been involved in YMF for a few years now and it’s an honor to represent the group.
As President, it’s my responsibility to set some goals for the year. These goals are designed to foster a dynamic YMF that can provide value for younger civil engineers to develop solid relationships and advance their careers. So here goes:
- Maintain SF YMF as a bridge between university students and established professional engineers.
- Continue to build relationships between SF YMF and ALL other engineering/design groups in the Bay Area.
- Develop consistent and reliable fundraising activities.
As a bridge between the university and management, YMF provides a nice platform for engineers to get comfortable in their careers and gain a perspective on the engineering community. YMF has traditionally networked with university students through a connection with the university ASCE chapter, sponsorship of Mid Pac and the concrete canoe (ok, the bridge too), coordinating on community service events and existing relationships between students and alumni. This year, we have organized presentations for UC Berkeley and Stanford students on the difference between private and public engineering, which is a nice development. But, I’d like to see real development in the coordination of YMF and the ASCE section and branches in the Bay Area. One way to bridge that gap is through technical tours and presentations, but it can be as simple as having a coordinated calendar of events on emails and websites.
By continuing to build connections between YMF and other engineering and design groups, YMFers get a real sense of place and a true perspective on the design and construction landscape here in the Bay Area. Members of groups such as Engineers Without Borders, Structural Engineering Association of Northern California and American Institute of Architects are all working on interesting and innovative projects. Conversations about the tools and technology used to develop their deliverables can really open your eyes on new ways of solving the problems faced at work every day.
Developing reliable funding is critical to the health of any organization. That fiscal health allows YMF the flexibility to support and sponsor community service, university outreach, technical tours and social events, creating a sense of community for Bay Area civil engineers. By the way, our big fundraiser this year will be a Golf Tournament in June, so stay tuned for details.
If YMF can help spread the word on any events, don’t hesitate to get in touch because we’re always willing to get involved. And if anyone is interested in helping out with our events, check out our website at asce-ymf.org for the latest.
It’s going to be a good year.
Patrick