Frequently Asked Questions About UCA Guest Speakers

Who are the UCA Guest Speakers?

Guest speakers are professionals working in the field of tunneling and underground construction industry in the United States and abroad.  They are often Civil Engineers, working for companies, large and small, and have a range of experience from early career to highly experienced professionals, depending on your interests. Students may be interested to hear what a young tunneling professional does every day at work, or about the breadth of underground experiences of a 30+ year tunneling engineer. Case history presentations given jointly by a young Field Engineer and a more seasoned Project Engineer or Project Manager go over very well.  No matter their experience, UCA Guest Speakers are passionate about their work.

What audience is right for this?

We believe that this opportunity is best suited for early civil engineering students that typically are not exposed to this type of work, but are just beginning to learn fundamental engineering concepts. Seniors and graduate students are often able to absorb more complex geotechnical and construction concepts.  Case history presentations are good for a wide student body audience. If you tell us your intended audience, we can accommodate any mix of backgrounds. 

Do Guest Speakers come to my school?

With the pandemic, Guest Speakers can present to your class virtually. Because of this, you have access to a variety of Guest Speakers from around the world. 

What is expected of me and my class?

Let us know your target audience and preferred topics. We will put you in direct contact with your speaker and you can tailor a presentation together to best fit your needs and interests. 

How far in advance should I request a Guest Speaker?

Some of our Guest Speakers travel quite a bit and may not be able to respond to our request immediately. Please request a Guest Speaker one month or more in advance of the date you want them to speak.

Got questions? Feel free to contact our Education Coordinator at downforthat@UCAofSME.org