The Next Generation of APWA Players

APWA National Overview to College Students and Young

Professionals

President’s Priorities

• Be proactive in promoting Public Works as a profession of choice for young people entering the work force

President’s Priorities

• Encourage young people to invest in scientific, technical, and engineering educations to help North America avoid a loss of economic strength and prominence in a world market driven by technology

Subcommittee on Generational Issues

• Mission Statement : To recruit, develop, connect, empower, and retain young professionals in APWA through increased opportunities and resources to enhance their professional development and success within the association and the public works industry.

Subcommittee on Generational Issues

• Key Goals– Develop mentor programs targeted towards

college students and young professionals– Attract college students and young professionals

into APWA– Engage college students and young professionals

as they become members of APWA

Promising Practices

• Kansas City Metro Chapter– APWA Student Chapter was formed in

2004 in cooperation with UMKC and KC Metro Chapter

– Faculty support very important for starting and maintaining an APWA Student Chapter

Promising Practices

• Kansas City Metro Chapter– Initial group of interested students critical in

early stages of an APWA Student Chapter– Important to recruit new student leaders on

an ongoing basis

Promising Practices

• Kansas City Metro Chapter– Enhanced partnerships with public and

private agencies through:• Internship Fair• Speakers at APWA Student Chapter meetings• Local Tours• National Public Works Week luncheon

Promising Practices

• Kansas City Metro Chapter– Lessons Learned:

• Important to get freshmen and sophomores involved to have membership continuity from semester to semester

• Reaching out to college students from all departments with degree programs that can lead to a career in the public works field

Promising Practices

• APWA South Florida Branch– Share booth space with engineering

organizations in your area at college career fairs and other municipal events

– Creation of a monthly young professionals networking event in conjunction with ASCE and FES

Promising Practices

• City of Tempe, Arizona– Recruitment Outreach Committee

• Strong Partnerships with the College of Engineering at ASU and East Valley Institute of Technology

• Career Fairs• Internship Program• Early Outreach

APWA Outreach to College Students

• APWA Student Membership– Individual and group discounted

memberships (some discounted by chapters)

– Same benefits as APWA members except they receive APWA Reporter electronically and they may not vote or hold office on a national level

APWA Outreach to College Students

• APWA Student Chapters– Established through universities, colleges,

and community colleges– Chapter benefits include increased

awareness of APWA, enhanced partnerships with local public and private agencies, and long-term growth of association and chapter membership

APWA Outreach to College Students

• Futures Day Program at APWA Congress– High school seniors and college students

with an interest in pursuing a career in a public works-related field are invited to participate in various Congress events

APWA Outreach to Young Professionals

• Online Mentoring Program– Free and open to all public works

professionals who are seeking new learning opportunities, interaction with peers, and guidance with career development issues

APWA Outreach to Young Professionals

• Emerging Leaders Academy– Scholarship-based program for up to 25

public works professionals who have been working in the field for seven years or less

– Prepares them to advance in the field and possibly into Chapter leadership roles

APWA Outreach to Young Professionals

• Women in Public Works CD– A collection of essays from women who are

leaders in the public works field, and who offer insight and encouragement to younger generations

APWA Outreach to Young Professionals

• Young Leader Award– Established to recognize and encourage

young APWA members who have demonstrated an initial commitment to the profession and the association and show potential for future growth within the association

Proposed Activities for APWA Outreach

• Member Surveys/Focus Groups• Networking Event at Congress• Membership Campaign• Online Mentoring• Chapter Resources • Website Expansion

APWA Contacts

• Brian Sullivan, Chapter Relations Program Manager– bsullivan@apwa.net

• Jennifer Adams, Chair, Diversity Committee– jennifer_adams@tempe.gov

APWA Contacts

• Rosemary Baltcha, Co-Chair, Subcommittee on Generational Issues– rbaltcha@co.fresno.ca.us

• Michael Fraser, Co-Chair, Subcommittee on Generational Issues– mike.fraser@salina.org