Impact, Identity, and the Engineer’s Purpose

What does it take to build a meaningful engineering career in the 21st century?In this episode of The 21st Century Engineer, Dr. Dennis Truax sits down with Intisar Farhan Ahmed, geotechnical engineer and 2025 ASCE New Face of Civil Engineering, to explore how culture, mentorship, and proactive choices shape the future of infrastructure.🎯 Perfect for young engineers, civil engineering students, immigrants in STEM, and mid-career professionals navigating purpose and growth.👇 Timestamps & Topics(Click to jump to a specific segment — timecodes are searchable)00:00 – Intro: Welcome to The 21st Century Engineer02:10 – Who is Intisar Farhan Ahmed? Career path & credentials05:05 – Growing up in Bangladesh: cultural expectations and career pressure07:52 – Why Intisar chose engineering (vs. accounting)09:35 – Canadian vs. U.S. engineering licensure: pros, cons, and process14:30 – From Vancouver to Seattle: what it’s like to practice in both systems18:10 – How immigration shaped work ethic and mindset22:15 – Joining ASCE: building social capital through professional societies27:20 – How to strategically pick professional organizations (GBA, USSD, etc.)32:45 – What makes geotechnical engineering impactful35:05 – Working on landslides, dams, and data centers38:15 – Mentorship: formal, informal, and peer-to-peer41:20 – Don’t let your career happen to you: planning with intention42:57 – Final thoughts from Intisar & DennisIf you're a young engineer, a mid-career professional, or someone who wants to reconnect with why this work matters — this conversation delivers.📍 Don’t forget to subscribe and share.