Here's how you can thrive amidst industry changes for future success in structural engineering.

For optimal utilisation of resources, many employers would prefer a hire with higher level of productivity. Tech provides a faster delivery of tasks in an efficient way with less human errors thus increased efficiency for the tech user also, it frees up time for other important tasks. Having to do a thorough Finite Element Analysis with many parametric input manually would definitely take longer time than using an appropriate software. Such a manual task could be tiring. A software would give an efficient design in time and at a competitive cost. Embracing tech would make you competitive thus great potential to thrive in the structural engineering industry.

In an ever evolving structural engineering field, the only way to constantly thrive is continuous learning. Keep yourself updated with information. Learn evolving trends. Join a relevant professional organisation as this would give you opportunities to access well structured continuous professional development lectures organized by this organisation. Attend webinars, lectures and conferences. Carbon footprint, lean design and circular economy, BIM etc are current trends to catch up with. Journals, trainings, CPDs, webinars, conferences are great avenues to explore for learning these would ensure that your thrive always in the industry.

Exploring sustainability in your structural engineering projects could make you not only distinct but thrive in the industry. Going green is in compliance with the current trend in the industry also helps you achieve lean design in your project. Lean design and circular economy - where reuse, refurbish and recycle (3Rs) are encouraged would most times lead to ecofriendly and economic design. Lastly, designs would be future-proofed if they are tuned in for sustainability, low carbon footprint and indeed helps reduce possibility of violation of upcoming green policies and rework in the nearest future.

Be amenable. Ensure that you adapt your mindset to always embrace new methods of doing your tasks in an efficient way. Years ago, detailed drawings are done with board and tee-square. With the advent of AutoCAD, many professionals had to adapt their mindset to drop the old ways and embrace the new method of drawing with AutoCAD. If they hadn't learnt how to make use of AutoCAD to draw, they would not be compatible with modern day practice also, their productivity would be low. Adapting your mindset to welcome new inventions and learn new methods would make you thrive in the field of structural engineering.