EWB-USA, CH2M HILL, and You | Fall 2008
Getting involved with EWB-USA—it can take you places Whether you are a student or a young practicing professional, I cannot think of a more powerful professional development program than participating in Engineers Without Borders-USA. Engaged participants strengthen their technical skills, sharpen their core values, and expand their world view as they execute projects in the developing world. Perhaps the greatest competence gained by participants and their universities and employers is “ingenuity”...the leadership characteristic marked by adaptability, creativity, resourcefulness, and self-confident service to the less fortunate. In the end, universities, government agencies, and private-sector firms share these benefits as high potential professionals flow upward and outward through our nation’s talent pipeline. — Bud Ahearn, Senior Vice President of CH2M HILL and EWB-USA Board of Directors Member
Engineering in action—
James Ritter finds his path and starts his career Every year, through an existing partnership between Southminster Presbyterian Church in Waukesha, Wisconsin, a grassroots organization in Guatemala called PAVA, and the Marquette University Engineering Department, Marquette students participate in a senior bridge design project benefiting Guatemala. Each January, the team (half of which consists of students) travels to Guatemala to build the previous year’s design project and collect data for the next bridge project. During his final year at Marquette University, James Ritter was gearing up for his senior engineering design project in Guatemala. In simple terms, James and his fellow senior project team members were designing a bridge over the Motagua River near La Garrucha, Guatemala. This simplesounding project, however, would require a vast team effort to collect data and design, construct, and manage technological and operational aspects for a brand-new bridge. It was not until the spring of Ritter’s senior
Border Lines Fall 2008
year, however, that an official Marquette EWBUSA chapter was created under the influence of Mike Paddock, a project manager with CH2M HILL’s transportation business group. Mike led the senior design project that year and continues to do so. Quickly, EWB-USA took hold and more students got involved.
More than a bridge James took his first trip to Guatemala in January 2005—his senior year. He helped fellow teammates collect data for their own project, as well as build the bridge that was designed the previous year. Thrilled with the learning and cultural experience, following graduation James went back two more years to help build his own bridge project—“the Friendship Bridge” — named to reflect its role
as the first project that brought together two departments of the Guatemalan government after 15 years of civil wars. James made many good friends—both from the United States and locals who worked on the project site— during the multiple 10- day trips he took three years in a row. “When so many volunteers are contributing such great physical and mental efforts toward the same cause which benefits many people, it is easy to become close to the people with whom you are working,” said James. James describes his time in Guatemala as a much bigger experience than building a bridge. “The country is not technologically or materially advanced,” said James, “causing you to learn a lot about life—especially the basics of happiness and satisfaction. You see all the things that they don’t have and contrast that with all that we’re used to having cont on page 3
James works hard during the construction of the first of many bridges he has helped design and build in La Garrucha, Guatemala.
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Tips from the field— help make your EWBUSA project successful
Put the “fun” in fundraiser—ideas to get your EWB-USA project off the ground Fundraising is often one of the biggest challenges on any Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA) project. Consider holding a fundraiser that serves both as a teambuilding opportunity and a way to educate the public about your project. One idea: hold a dessert and beverage reception on campus. This is a great winter or summer activity, and often can be held at an on-campus location for free. Promote local culture and awareness by making desserts and offering beverages from the country where you are implementing a project. Your EWB-USA group can get together before the event to make a wide array of desserts. Offer a selection of beverages for those who are under age or do not drink alcohol. Sell tickets ahead of time by posting fliers and table tents in the busiest areas on campus, as well as at the door. Offer music, slide shows, and short presentations on what page 2
your EWB-USA chapter is working on. Such an event can inform the general public, recruit new members, and raise funds to support your project. A 20-member team at the University of Washington in Seattle raised more than $5,000 for their project in Bolivia, and they enjoyed preparing the desserts together the weekend before. A silent auction featuring dozens of colorful, indigenous articles purchased in Bolivia added to the funds they collected and increased the festive nature of their reception. The chapter was also able to find a local business to donate wine, bread, and cheese for their event, cutting down on their costs.
For six months out of the year, the community of Makili, Mali, suffers a severe drought. Every year, the 2,000 residents are plagued with malnutrition due to the lack of protein in their diet. In October 2007, the University of Pittsburgh chapter of EWB-USA took on a project to develop designs and implementation plans to help the community create a tilapia fish farm, which will provide nutritious food and a source of income for residents all year. Suman Ramasundaram, a CH2M HILL engineer who mentors the chapter, recently returned from a site assessment trip to Makili. During the 10-day trip, the team conducted public health assessments, gathered input from community stakeholders, contacted potential suppliers, established relationships with local partners, and gathered the technical information necessary to complete design. The trip was a valuable experience to lay the foundation for a successful project. Suman shares the following key lessons learned from this implementation trip: • Find a strong local contact—this can be a key to the project’s success. • Learn key greetings and phrases before you go. • Hire a guide or translator.
• Get in touch with other EWB-USA chapters who have “been there-done that” so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. • Learn to understand body language and cultural overtures. (“Yes” means “no” sometimes.)
• Prepare beforehand the questions you want to ask various groups. • Stay with the community as much as possible, sharing meals, housing, and free time to gain a better understanding of local values and customs.
Student Perspective— James Ritter finds his path and starts his career cont.
• Sign memorandum of understanding with partnering agencies. • Schedule enough time for meetings. Expect and plan for delays.
Working with CH2M HILL mentor Mike Paddock (left), and other volunteers, James Ritter (right), helped complete the Motagua Bridge in Guatemala in 2005.
in the United States, and yet see how happy they are and how they value their family and community.”
Bridge to a career Since July 2008, James has been working as an engineer with CH2M HILL, thanks to his introduction to the company through Mike Paddock. James can’t say enough about how the EWBUSA program prepared him for his job working with the firm’s transportation group in St. Louis. “It was such an amazing and unique opportunity to work on the EWB-USA Guatemala project,” said James. “We were exposed to all aspects of the engineering process, from collecting data, to design and construction, to technological and maintenance issues for
the specific location,” said James. “The whole project, from start to finish, was done in such a short amount of time and you got to have your hands in every part of the process,” he added. “There is no better way to understand the whole engineering progression, learn from your mistakes, and have the benefit of professional engineers like Mike to guide you.”
the project’s schedule and budgeted hours, managing the deliverables during ‘crunch time,’ motivating the team during difficult times, and managing the client, which in this case was the team and the community,” said Mike. “It was fun to watch the team develop under James’s leadership.” At CH2M HILL, James already has been involved in a variety of different projects, including the Page Ave 364 final design for a major highway and environmental impact statement planning support for the I-70 corridor project in Colorado. “The people are what make the company,” said James about CH2M HILL. “I can only hope to be half of what Mike is as a mentor and an engineer in this sector,” he added.
The CH2M HILL– EWB-USA connection continues Mike continues to support the involvement of CH2M HILL and student groups of EWB-USA. “Knowing that your completed project will provide a sustainable difference in the lives of so many people is what CH2M HILL is all about.
EWB-USA provides a perfect place for young engineers to develop their leadership and project delivery skills,” said Mike. “In fact, CH2M HILL is not finished working in La Garrucha, Guatemala. I am mentoring another design team at Marquette University who is designing and constructing a drinking water system for 1,500 people. The project manager is Adrianna Stanley—a CH2M HILL intern.” James plans to stay involved with EWB-USA now that he’s a CH2M HILL employee. He hopes to help build contacts with the Milwaukee chapter to continue doing work on the Guatemala bridge projects, as well as be a mentor himself to other aspiring engineers. “I can’t say enough about the personal and professional benefits that doing this work has given me. I have never met anyone who has participated in an EWB-USA project and regretted it, but I do know some who have turned down the opportunity to get involved and later regretted it. They know that they have missed out on something very special.”
Partnering with the local community is an important component of any EWB-USA project. Through his involvement with EWB-USA, James has made many lasting friendships.
Mike encourages other students to get involved with EWB-USA just like James did, as it provides the unique experience of actually getting to build what you design. “James led a team of designers and learned many of the important skills needed by a CH2M HILL project manager: chartering the team and gaining their endorsement, monitoring page 3
Career corner—tips for landing your first job
Many of our employees find great value in and appreciate the firm’s involvement with EWB-USA. Participating in a local chapter can help you meet people in the same career field and help you target the employers who offer the career path you seek. Here are some additional tips for landing your first job with your employer of choice. • Know the company you’re interviewing with— research what the company does, the technologies they use, and the industries they serve. Identify what interests you most about the company and be prepared to share your thoughts. • Know how your talents fit in—where do you see yourself within the company? If there is more than one area where your experience and abilities are
a good match, which area is your first choice? • Be curious—ask questions. The interview is a lot like a first date—both parties want to know if there’s potential for a match. You want to be sure you have the information you need to make the right decision. • Newly graduated?— Mention your senior project or other research experience you’ve had while attending college. This is a great way to demonstrate your talents. For more tips on how to prepare for an interview, visit www.careers.ch2m. com/who_we_hire/ university_interview_tips. asp To learn more about exciting career and internship opportunities at CH2M HILL, visit ch2mhill.com/careers.
CH2M HILL and EWB-USA CH2M HILL has been a founding sponsor of EWBUSA since 2003. As a leading global engineering and construction firm with the mission of making technology work to build a better world, CH2M HILL sees a clear alignment with EWB-USA and its mission of building a better world, one community at a time. CH2M HILL supports EWB-USA because of our common values and a shared commitment to: • Deliver sustainable engineering solutions • Inspire and mentor a future engineering and construction workforce • Give back to the global community • Use engineering principles and technologies to improve quality of life Border Lines Fall 2008
From providing leadership in the boardroom to mentoring students on projects, CH2M HILL has a growing network of employees who are actively engaged in local EWB-USA chapters. These individuals contribute countless hours and substantial passion and technical expertise to help grow the EWBUSA organization, mentor students, serve as public speakers and ambassadors, and bring sustainable engineering projects to life in countries such as Guatemala, Thailand, and Kenya.
provides financial support to the national EWB-USA organization. EWB-USA is an important part of the firm’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.
To learn more about exciting career and internship opportunities at CH2M HILL, visit ch2mhill.com/careers.
Continue Your Commitment to EWB-USA; Apply Today with CH2M HILL
These efforts are supported by the company through CH2M HILL Foundation grants that help employees offset the personal costs of project travel and related expenses. The firm also page 4