Partnering with UAA and ASD

As most in our industry know first-hand, the State of Alaska needs more civil engineers. The situation is going to become dire if we don’t act soon. Our industry requires approximately 75 new civil engineers per year to maintain its workforce. In recent years, the University of Alaska system is only graduating about 40 civil engineering students per year. As a result, ACEC Alaska is looking for opportunities to partner with UAA and ASD. A few volunteer options for your consideration –

•           Present to Local Classrooms – If you are looking for opportunities to present and want to get on a volunteer list, reach out direct to Scott Hamel, PE, PhD, Professor and Chair with the UAA Department of Civil Engineering. If you are a parent and working directly with teachers in your child’s school, know that there are resources to assist in your presentations. If you are looking for prepackaged civil engineering content to help fill some presentation time, check out the prepackaged lectures located here - Mock Lectures | College of Engineering | University of Alaska Anchorage. We highly recommend that you reach out to the UAA Civil Engineering professor listed to obtain additional notes, tips, and other presentation material well in advance of visiting the school.

•           Assist with Model Bridge Strength Competition – This competition is sponsored by UAA during Engineer’s Week. Teachers are always looking for classroom engineering support to explain the principles, go over the rules, share advice, and even support the activity from A to Z. Learn more here. www.uaa.alaska.edu/tinybridge. Reach out direct to Scott Hamel, PE, PhD, Professor and Chair with the UAA Department of Civil Engineering if you would like to get on a volunteer list.

•           Highlight Folks in the Industry – UAA has collaborated with the ASD Science Coordinator and discussed including information on CE career pathways in the new "earthquake module" which will be delivered to all 9th grade students starting in the new academies model in Fall 2024.  She suggested as part of this, having some very short videos highlighting some folks in the industry (preferably with some diversity) talking about what they do.  Here are some examples https://www.asdk12.org/Page/11371. Again, if you are interested in participating reach out to Scott Hamel and he will put you in touch with ASD.

•           For more information, contact Scott Hamel’s email – sehamel@alaska.edu

Anchorage School District’s (ASD) internship program

The ASD Career and Technical Education (CTE) program provides employers with talented and engaged high school youth who bring fresh energy and curiosity to the workplace. Employers also have a chance to inspire and shape the next generation of professionals, planting the seeds for future qualified employees for your industry or field.  

Visit the ASD CTE internship page on how to get involved with the internship program.