July 8, 2025

Mentoring in Engineering: Why Every Civil Engineer Needs a Guide

Mentoring in Engineering: Why Every Civil Engineer Needs a Guide
Season 1

In this episode, Dr. Dennis Turek sits down with Tirza Austin, community manager at ASCE, to talk about mentorship in engineering, how structured programs support career growth, and why mid-level professionals are the mentors most in demand.

Tirza shares insights into how ASCE is redesigning mentorship as a strategic initiative—especially for early-career civil engineers navigating career decisions, licensure, and life in the AEC industry.

🔍 Topics Covered:

  • Why formal mentoring programs work better

  • Challenges young civil engineers face

  • How to find the right mentor at the right time

  • Mentorship success stories from ASCE

  • Building trust and structure in mentoring relationships

🎧 Want more episodes? Subscribe for deep dives on engineering leadership, professional development, and behind-the-scenes conversations with AEC pros.

🌐 Learn more about ASCE's mentoring program
https://www.asce.org/

📌 Timestamps
0:00 Welcome + Why We Talk Mentorship
1:18 Tirza’s Journey with ASCE
3:13 Mentorship as a Strategic Priority
5:06 Finding Your Niche as a Young Engineer
6:32 Passion vs. Aptitude in Engineering
7:29 Why Mentorship Must Be Structured
10:13 What Mentees Must Know
14:19 What Makes a Great Mentor?
17:27 Mid-Level Mentors & Real Relatability
22:15 How Many Mentees Is Too Many?
25:11 Time Commitment for Mentoring
27:19 Workplace Bias and Navigating Real Challenges

#CivilEngineering #ASCE #Mentorship #EngineeringPodcast #AECIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment