The CEEM Department kicked off its second-ever cohort of the CEEM MS Mentorship Program, featuring 12 mentors and 17 mentees. The mentors come from very diverse civil engineering careers and industries including structural, infrastructure, construction management, project controls, geotechnical, and transportation amongst others. From bridge designers to project managers for high-rises and skyscrapers, mentees will have the opportunity to meet and learn from each participating mentor in the program.
The kick-off event allowed the entire cohort to get to know one another, and even promoted some healthy competition in the classic spaghetti bridge contest - where mentorship pairings competed for prizes in both the “load-bearing” and aesthetic design (aka the “rizz”) contests.
The goal of the program is to assist CEEM students in their explorations of the various career paths their degree can take them. The program will not only pair students with mentors in their prospective industries of interest, but also allow for a cohort-focused learning experience, where mentees will be able to network and learn from all mentors participating in the program through a series of Columbia-hosted events. Through these panels and other learning opportunities, CEEM students will gain clarity with their own career interests and post-graduation aspirations. Mentees will gain confidence with navigating early career decisions, networking skills, and professional development.
Mentor companies represented feature Hardesty & Hanover, Thornton Tomasetti, Cumming Group, Delve Underground, General Services Administration, Haydan Consultants, KC Engineering, Exponent, Arup, Turner & Townsend, The Office of James Ruderman Structural Engineers, and TYLin - Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Good luck to Cohort 2 of the CEEM MS Mentorship Program!
