YMLS 2024 Alumni Summit Recap

Author: OREOLUWA ADEDAPO PE

I recently had the privilege of attending my first Younger Member Leadership Symposium (YMLS) Alumni Summit in September, hosted at Bechtel Corporation in Houston. Having previously participated in the Central Region Younger Member Council in 2022 in Austin, I was thrilled to qualify for this Alumni Summit and even more excited that the conference was back in Texas.

With 32 attendees, including eight from the Texas Section, the event offered a fantastic opportunity to reconnect and learn alongside younger engineers from across the country. The theme, “When the Going Gets Tough…,” guided us through two days of exploring challenging scenarios: one day focused on situations beyond our control, and the other on those for which we hold responsibility. Engagingly, we discussed and even acted out over 40 real scenarios submitted by attendees, allowing us to learn from genuine experiences in a supportive environment.

Elizabeth Ruedas PE expertly facilitated the summit, bringing invaluable insights and enthusiasm that fostered an engaging, interactive environment for exploring new perspectives and solutions. This conference offered a tremendous benefit to young engineers, providing a platform to develop essential soft skills and build connections with colleagues nationwide. I am deeply grateful to the ASCE Houston Branch for supporting young members like myself in attending such valuable events.