S16 E9: ASCE for Everyone with Ken Mika

In this episode of the Smells Like Money Podcast, we explore how the engineering and infrastructure community is evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing future. The conversation focuses on inclusion, leadership development, and innovation within the water and wastewater industry.We discuss a major shift within the American Society of Civil Engineers, where equal membership access is redefining who qualifies as an infrastructure professional and why this matters for the future of resilient systems. The episode highlights the value of professional organizations in continuing education, leadership growth, networking, and workforce development as the industry faces retirements, talent shortages, and increasing complexity.A key focus is placed on innovation priorities shaping water and wastewater infrastructure, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity risks, aging assets, funding challenges, and long term resilience planning. We examine how AI can support better decision making by improving access to standards, manuals, and technical knowledge, while balancing risk and reward.This conversation reinforces why the future of infrastructure depends not only on technology, but on people, leadership, collaboration, and a willingness to move beyond the way things have always been done.Learn more about ASCE at asce.orgConnect With Ken Mika:Tetra TechEmail: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethrmika/Website:asce.orgI hope you find this episode as informative and as exciting as we have.Please let us know your thoughts about the episode!Connect with Suzan Chin-Taylor, host of The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast:Website: www.creativeraven.com | https://thetuitgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeraven/Email: [email protected] Telephone: +1 760-217-8010Listen and subscribe here to your favorite platform:Apple Podcast - Google Podcast - Cast Box - Overcast - Pocket Casts - YouTube - Spotifyhttps://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/ Subscribe to the Podcast:https://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/Be a guest on our show:https://calendly.com/thetuitgroup/be-a-podcast-guestCheck Out my NEW Digital Marketing E-Course & Coaching Program just for Wastewater Pros:https://store.thetuitgroup.com/diy-digital-marketing-playbook-for-wastewater-pros#SmellsLikeMoneyPodcast #WaterIndustry #WastewaterInnovation #CivilEngineering #ASCE #InfrastructureLeadership #AIinEngineering #FutureReady #WaterInfrastructure #ProfessionalDevelopment