At CONSTRUCT we have an educational program and sessions that were developed for the Emerging Professionals in the AEC industry. The goal of the program is to provide the next generation with the opportunities for AEC community engagement, expand their industry knowledge, and provide them with professional development. From the specialized Emerging Professionals Day program to sessions like Passing your CDT exam, we have a variety of education to fit the needs of emerging professionals.

The 2020 Virtual Program is currently being reimagined.  Check back in late-August to view the updated virtual agenda.

Emerging Professionals Day - Developed By: Cherise Lakeside, CSI, CDT

The Emerging Professionals Day Program is available to professionals or students that are 35 years or younger. 

2020 Program Details:

Wednesday, September 30th

  • 7:30 – 8:00 am    Continental Breakfast/Coffee/Meet & Network with your Peers
  • 8:00 – 8:15 am     Introductions/About the Emerging Professionals Program with Cherise Lakeside 
  • 8:15 – 8:30 am     How We Roll at CONSTRUCT with LeeAnn Slattery 
    •   How to get the most value out of Emerging Professionals Day and CONSTRUCT.
  • 8:30 – 8:45 am     Networking at CONSTRUCT and Beyond: Lifetime Connections with Craig                               Wetmore
    • How best to best connect and network with other industry professionals at CONSTRUCT.
  • 8:45 – 9:00 am     Your Personal Brand with Michael Riscica  
    • Knowing how your personal and business reputations translate onto social platforms is critical. This discussion will teach you what a personal brand is, how to define it, how building it will increase your  value to your employer and the importance of moving your reputation into the digital environment.
  • 9:00 - 9:15 am      Break
  • 9:15 – 11:00 am     Mentoring Round Table Sessions
    • Meet in very small groups with leaders in the industry.  Discuss career paths, challenges and topics like salary, moving up the ladder, certifications, mentorship, niches in AEC, alternate careers in AEC, project management, setting yourself apart, defining your personal path, ethics/values vs. the mortgage payment, networking, leveraging sustainable practices and ANYTHING GOES!!
  • 11:15 – 11:30 am    Leadership with Melody Stinson 
    • Leadership can take many different forms. Learn from this Emerging Professional’s leadership experiences.  Put your fears aside and learn why it is important to say “yes” to new and unfamiliar opportunities.
  • 11:30 – 11:45 am     Set Yourself Apart with Cherise Lakeside 
    • Explore ways that Emerging Professionals can set themselves apart and stand out among their peers on the  road to leadership and success.
  • 1:40 - 3:10 pm     Attend an educational session – included with Emerging Professionals Program (select from WE15-WE18)
  • 3:25 - 4:55 pm     Attend an educational session – included with Emerging Professionals Program (select from WE19-WE23)

Cherise Lakeside, CSI, CDT, has experience with many facets of the
project team in the built environment. She has worked in many roles in
construction, MEP Engineering and largely for three architectural firms during her 30+ year career in AEC. Cherise is now the Senior Specification Writer for RDH Building Science.  She is a Past President of the Portland Chapter of CSI and a Director-at-Large on the Institute Board. She is particularly passionate about young professional development, public speaking and improving project coordination and communication. They call her the #CSIKraken. Connect with her on LinkedIn or you can follow her on Twitter @CheriseLakeside.