Q: Please introduce yourself, your school standing and your position in the group!
A: My name is Erica Salgado and I am a senior in the civil engineering program. Along with Jason Gillian, I am co-captain of ASCE's Steel Bridge team this year.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this year?
A: I'm excited to bring in my perspective into the group, gain leadership experience and build a strong team. I am confident that we are strong competitors and we have what it takes to make it to the National competition!
Q: What are some exciting new events/projects your group will be starting?
A: Our team will design, fabricate, and construct a 1:10 scale model steel bridge. It will be scored on construction time, weight, aesthetics, and ability to resist deflections, among other things. To compete, we will travel to Idaho State University, which is hosting the 2015 ASCE Pacific Northwest Regional Conference.
Q: What can students get out of by being involved with your group?
A: The project provides a variety of opportunities for students: from leadership development and team building skills, to hands-on engineering opportunities. We work with a variety of programs that are commonly used in the industry, like AutoCAD and SAP2000. Our team members range from freshmen to graduate students, and we reach out to practicing engineers who offer mentorship through the project. The variety of skill levels of those involved promotes networking and collaboration among the group. It's truly a valuable experience for everyone involved.
Q: How can others help?
A: Our team is always looking for mentors for the design and fabrication processes. Any contribution, whether it's money or time, will help the next generation of civil engineers gain real-world experience with both the logistics and the business side of engineering.
Q: What difference will a successful crowdfunding make? What can this support enable you to accomplish?
A: Unfortunately, without the funds to pay for fabrication costs, students will not only miss out on this real-world experience but all the great networking opportunities that go along with it. However, with your help I am sure we can make it happen!