Last month, trenchless professionals from around the world traveled to Denver, Colorado, for the North American Society of Trenchless Technology (NASTT) No-Dig Show to share ideas and learn about the newest equipment and trends in the industry.
In addition to the seemingly endless educational opportunities, networking continues to be an important component of the largest conference in North America dedicated exclusively to trenchless technology.
That’s a huge draw for the organization’s student chapters, 11 of which were represented at this year’s No-Dig Show. Altogether, there were 67 college students who attended, taking part in a range of activities tailored toward grooming the next generation of engineers and contractors and providing a first-hand glimpse into the world of trenchless.
“There’s likely never been a better time to be involved in trenchless technologies,” says NASTT Executive Director Mike Willmets. “This exciting industry is bristling with new opportunities, rewarding projects and a constantly expanding acceptance as the best solution to many infrastructure problems. If you’re interested in a career with innovative engineering, then trenchless is the place to be.”
The four-day conference began with a student orientation session. This included the first annual “How To Get Hired” workshop, and NASTT board members participated in an hour-long Q&A session. The feedback was “phenomenal,” according to NASTT Membership Coordinator Molly Margosian.
There were competitions throughout the week. Each student chapter was asked to present on the activities they participated in during the school year. Also, cash prizes were awarded for a poster competition. Students designed posters explaining their trenchless research, which were displayed in the exhibit hall.
Additionally, students competed in a unique challenge, The Amazing Trenchless Race. Each member was given various volunteer assignments that allowed them to engage with exhibitors. “The Amazing Trenchless Race is an activity designed to allow students to learn more about the trenchless industry and network with potential future colleagues,” says Margosian.
While many of the planned activities were fun and meant to get students thinking about their future in the industry, the serious nature of the challenges that lie ahead and the responsibility of the next generation to discover solutions was not lost on the attendees.
Dr. Shaurav Alam, an assistant professor at Louisiana Tech University who advises the school’s NASTT student chapter, references a study conducted by The Water Infrastructure Network that claims nearly $500 billion is required over the next 20 years to repair and replace aging water infrastructure in the U.S.
“Next-generation engineers and contractors need to be aware and responsive of such a huge investment of taxpayers’ money and even smarter ways to solve such issues,” says Alam. “Therefore, it is very important to educate a younger generation on the opportunities in trenchless technology.”
For Stetson Hickman, a senior at Louisiana Tech majoring in construction engineering technology, a chance to learn from and interact with experts was an invaluable experience as he prepares to enter the workforce.
“Attending the No-Dig Show allowed me, as well as my classmates, to network with some of the industry’s leading professionals and learn about issues and advancements within the industry that are not commonly addressed in classrooms,” says Hickman.
Tober Francom, a second-year Ph.D candidate at Arizona State University who is studying civil engineering, agrees. "You are able to meet and talk with industry professionals that provide great insight on the industry and where the future is headed," he says of the No-Dig Show. "This aspect was invaluable for me and was a great help with not only my professional network but also with the research I am doing at ASU."
