Attracting Today's Youth to Civil Engineering

Abstract

Substantial evidence exists to warn the civil engineering profession of impending shortages in the qualified labor force in the coming decades. ASCE has set ambitious goals for growth in the number of civil engineering students in order to meet the increasing demand. Current recruiting efforts to minimize such shortages include high‐school outreach programs and an extensive public‐relations program sponsored by ASCE. These programs are described and shown to be necessary measures to halt the recently observed decline in the number of new civil engineers. It is recommended that the programs be supplemented by additional high‐school summer camps and by activities in conjunction with a nearby ASCE student chapter. To bolster the ASCE advertising campaign, far‐reaching methods of drawing attention to civil engineering projects are advocated. Programs for middle‐ and grammar‐school students are emphasized because of their greater effectiveness and longer‐term impact. Support of programs already in effect is encouraged, and a creative approach is recommended for developing new recruiting methods.