President's Message
Emily Guglielmo, SE, PE, F.SEI
2023-2024 SEAOC President
As we celebrate the closing of another graduation season, I find myself reminiscing about my 20-year structural engineering career. I've had the privilege of learning from many SEAOC colleagues, each of whom has taught me unique, critically important life lessons. With that in mind, I'd like to briefly share my personal journey and offer some key lessons I've learned along the way.
My journey began in a Northern California high school. I initially thought I'd become a teacher, but my strengths in mathematics and science led to recommendations to pursue an engineering career. Without any engineers in the family, it was difficult for me to imagine this career path. Fortunately, I enrolled in a community college class, "Careers in Engineering and Technology." The focus of the class was to invite various practicing engineers to explain the pros and cons of their disciplines. When one civil engineer concluded his remarks, I was intrigued and asked for tips to prepare for this career path. Much to my dismay, he suggested the class that the boys focus on mathematics and science coursework, while girls should refine their organizational skills to support their male counterparts. This answer didn't sit well with me, and I decided to prove him wrong. I went home and changed all my college applications to a civil engineering major.
A few months later, I started at UCLA as a civil engineering undergraduate. I navigated through the initial courses and found my passion for structural analysis, dynamics, steel, and concrete courses. I initially pursued a joint BS/MS program but later decided to leave my comfort zone and apply to UC Berkeley for my Masters in structural engineering.
Upon graduation, I faced a tough decision. My husband was in veterinary school in Colorado. While my classmates were taking jobs at prestigious Bay Area firms, I moved to Colorado unsure of my options. I ultimately took a job at Martin/Martin, a firm with a great culture and outstanding opportunities. This decision paid off, resulting in exposure to a wide range of projects and teaching me the importance of self-advocacy. I sought mentors, scheduled my own continuing education, and fought to maintain my technical expertise while growing into project management roles.
Admittedly, I experienced moments of professional disconnect and dissatisfaction during my career. I later learned about the "smile" phenomenon associated with a mid-career satisfaction dip linked to increased responsibilities but limited control. In response, I adjusted my activities to align with my career goals, leading technical classes and strengthening my presentation skills.
Just as I was transitioning into project management, my husband was offered a residency opportunity in Boston. After relocating, I worked remotely from home, a novel arrangement at the time. I had two kids while living in Boston. For the first time in my career, I was unable to choose when to start work or when daycare would close due to a snowstorm. I started to hear the phrase "work-life balance" and tried somewhat unsuccessfully to balance it all. Imagine balancing a marble on an upside-down bowl—I was frantically trying to keep that marble in place. While I found fleeting moments of balance, more often than not, I was expending energy on an impossible balancing act rather than enjoying the good things in my life.
In response, I decided to adjust my mindset. Instead of seeking balance, I focused on being content and present in my choices. I learned that I can't have it all, and that’s okay. If I end the day satisfied with my choices and convinced that I’ve been present, then I’ve found my balance.
When my husband’s residency was over, we moved to San Francisco to be closer to family. I went to my boss with the news, and he asked me to consider opening an office in the Bay Area. While I never thought of myself as an entrepreneur, the opportunity offered an intriguing challenge. Fast forward 15 years, and I proudly lead an office with a steady workload and robust staff.
Despite the success of the Bay Area office, my biggest struggle in a small office was professional loneliness. While I have many peer Principals, none practice in California. To counter this solitude, I proactively sought opportunities to expand my professional network beyond my firm. As one example, I applied for a young professional scholarship to attend a national conference. At a dinner with other young professionals, I overheard a group organizing a run early the next morning. I had every reason not to join: I was tired, it was early, I wanted to attend an 8 am session, I only brought shorts, and it was 20 degrees. But I forced myself to say yes. During that run, I met a long-term advocate and mentor who has since helped me find my way into Codes and Standards committees.
Today, I continue to seek fulfillment by aligning my work with my true north, expanding my teaching and leadership roles. I embrace discomfort as a sign of growth and remain committed to lifelong learning and challenges.
As I reflect upon those past valuable lessons provided by my mentors and colleagues, I find myself compelled to do the same for the next generation of structural engineers. I hope you will find these lessons useful throughout your own personal journey.
Top 5 Lessons Learned:
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Advocate for Yourself:
Seek mentors, pursue lifelong learning, and fight for your technical expertise.
- Adapt and Adjust:
Align your daily activities with your career goals to navigate periods of dissatisfaction.
- Be Present in Your Choices:
Focus on being content with your decisions rather than striving for an impossible balance.
- Expand Your Network:
Engage with professional organizations and attend conferences to build a community.
- Embrace Discomfort:
Step out of your comfort zone and take on new challenges.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to reflect upon a rich, fulfilling 20 years. I eagerly await the next decade’s opportunities and challenges.
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