Reston, Va. (ASCE) - As U.S. engineering firms face increasing global competition, civil engineers need to be conscious not only of reflecting the diverse perspectives of their international colleagues, but also the perspectives in their increasingly diverse communities and local workforce.

“Civil engineering is a ‘people serving’ profession,” said David G. Mongan, P.E., F.ASCE, president of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). “If we are going to overcome the challenges brought on by an ever-changing and increasingly diverse world, achieving greater diversity in the profession is essential.”

According to a new guide published by the Society, Diversity by Design: Guide to Fostering Diversity in the Civil Engineering Workforce, written by Sybil E. Hatch, P.E. and sponsored by ASCE’s Committee on Diversity and Women in Civil Engineering, “the myriad challenges of managing a diverse engineering workforce can be encompassed by a two-pronged approach: be aware of the issues . . . and make addressing those issues a priority.” The guide highlights aspects of the current workplace that are not conducive to diversity and provides practical, hands-on suggestions—based on real ‘lessons learned’ scenarios—for fostering, improving and maintaining a diverse and thriving workforce.

Diversity by Design—which complements ASCE’s Guide to Hiring and Retaining Great Civil Engineers—addresses an array of topics focused in four key areas: “The Diversity Landscape”, what diversity looks and feels like in the current workforce; “Retaining Diverse Civil Engineers”, how to create a workplace that is conducive to diversity; “Recruiting Diverse Civil Engineers”, where to find professional from diverse backgrounds; and “Managing a Diverse Workforce”, techniques for engineering managers to guide and enhance their diverse employees’ productivity and career satisfaction.

To purchase a copy of Diversity by Design, visit: http://pubs.asce.org/default.htm. Members of the media can obtain a complimentary copy by contacting Joan Buhrman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 140,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. For more information, visit www.asce.org.

ASCE National Press Room, Joan Buhrman, (703)295-6406, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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