SESOC Emerging Structural Engineers (ESE)

Introducing ESE Conference Pathway

SESOC invites Emerging Structural Engineers to join the ESE Pathway Cohort at the 2025 SESOC Conference.

Following the successful addition of the ESE Stream at the 2019 and 2023 Conference, SESOC will continue an ESE Pathway designed to encourage early career engineers to engage with the Conference program and provide support to the Emerging Structural Engineers cohort.

The ESE Pathway will include:
  • Introduction to an Industry Mentor.
  • Pre-conference program including:
    • Speed networking event with ESE cohort and Industry Mentors
    • Site Visit
  • ESE Stream within the Conference program
  • Opportunity for socialising with ESE cohort and SEAOC YMF representatives.
  • Post conference debrief session with the SESOC President

This is a great opportunity for early career engineers to network with industry colleagues; hear about new research and industry-leading projects; and learn about key issues the structural engineering industry is facing in New Zealand. This cohort experience is designed to provide space for emerging structural engineers to share their experiences and challenges in their career, and gain exposure to the wider industry they work within.

Some of the benefits and opportunities of attending include:
  • Relaxed networking and mentor opportunities
  • Build industry contacts and professional networks
  • Introduction to an Industry Mentor, with potential to continue this beyond the Conference program
  • Opportunity to hear from leaders in the industry and debate on issues that are relevant and topical in the industry
  • Develop passion for structural engineering industry and understanding the wider context of the industry we work within

We strongly encourage all early career engineers (typically less than 10 years’ experience) to register for the ESE Pathway at the SESOC Conference. There is no additional cost associated with this programme.

ESE Paper Stream

Note: acknowledging the current difficult economic conditions, for those not planning on attending the entire SESOC Conference but who are keen to be involved in the ESE Pathway, a special ESE Pathway ticket ($50 per person) will be available. This will allow those who are eligible to attend the first day of the Conference (Wed) only, which will include all of the above ESE Pathway activities.

As in previous years, an ‘Emerging Structural Engineers Stream’ will be included within the Conference program. This parallel paper stream provides space for early career engineers to share a 15-minute presentation based on their experience. This could include, but is not limited to, project-based learning, learning experiences in site monitoring, construction processes, buildability, analysis and design, professionalism, ethics and sustainable design.

Emerging Structural Engineers Conference Scholarship

For those needing any further encouragement to submit a paper to the SESOC Conference, SESOC is delighted to announce the return of the ‘Emerging Structural Engineers Scholarship’ which will be awarded to the best paper of the ESE Stream at the SESOC Conference. This scholarship provides for the ESE member to travel to, and present their paper at, the SEAOC Convention 2025 in San Diego, California.

The scholarship recipient will represent the SESOC ESE Network at the convention, and alongside other members of the SESOC Management Committee, further develop the relationship between the SESOC ESE Network and the SEAOC Younger Member Forum.

The 2025 SEAOC Convention emphasis is on structural design of buildings and other structures for both building design as well as non-building structures for natural hazards. Subject areas include anything that you as an engineer find exciting and interesting.

Criteria for ESE Scholarship

Typically Emerging Structural Engineers are considered to have less than 10 years’ experience as a structural engineer. Consideration is given to career breaks and parental leave.

  • Must be a SESOC Member as at April 2025.
  • Must have joined the SESOC ESE Network as at April 2025.
  • Must attend and present their paper at the SESOC Conference 2025 in Wellington
  • Must be available and able to travel to the SEAOC Conference, September 2025 in San Diego, travel dates to be advised.

Applications will be judged by a panel of SESOC and SEAOC members.

SEAOC
How and when to submit
  • Your completed application form will need to be included when you submit your full paper. Notification of abstract acceptance and call for full papers will take place by February 2025, with full papers and your scholarship application due by April 2025.
  • CLICK HERE to download the application form.
Hear from 2019 Scholarship Recipient – Ben Westeneng

“The SEAOC Convention at Lake Tahoe was an amazing experience. It was a similar size to SESOC, but had a big bold American feel. The days were fully packed with presentations and panels. There were also additional activities including drone racing, an ice cream social, and watching each regional organisation compete for the President’s cup. Eating lunch while Ashraf Habibullah, the owner of CSI ETABS, shouted in a sparkling LED-lit vest about why structural engineers should earn more money is a lecture I won’t forget.

My biggest takeaway from both conferences is that New Zealand and Californian earthquake engineering communities are not very different from each other. Both have a passion for advancing the profession and improving society. I highly recommend writing a paper and attending as many conferences as you can. They are a great place to connect with your structural community.”

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