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Young Member Activities

ACI’s Young Member Programs are dedicated to early career professionals aged 35 and younger. We are committed to offering programs, resources, and events that will help you advance a career in concrete.


Education and Networking

ACI Career Connections Mentor Program

ACI Career Connections is a 6-month mentorship program designed to help emerging professionals navigate ACI while connecting them with experienced industry leaders in the concrete sector. Through guidance, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration, we aim to foster growth, build relationships, and strengthen the future of ACI and the concrete industry. Mentees are emerging professionals (age 35 and under) working in concrete or construction-related fields in the United States/Canada. Mentors are industry professionals/educators with 8+ years of experience who are actively involved in ACI Committees and based in the USA/Canada. The program runs annually from May to October. Applications are accepted year-round.

ACI Engineering Greatness Podcast

Hosted by the American Concrete Institute (ACI), each episode brings together pairs of young professionals in the concrete industry engaging for intimate conversations about their life and work. Get a glimpse into the field of civil engineering and construction management and what it takes to have a successful career in the concrete industry. Visit the podcast homepage to learn more.

ACI Emerging Leaders Program

The Emerging Leaders Alliance (ELA) is a partnership among leading engineering- and science-based organizations that provides high-quality leadership training. The conference for young professionals provides advanced leadership training in topics such as management, personal branding, social styles, problem solving, presentation skills, and global diversity. Desired applicants will have been in the concrete- or construction-related industry for less than 8 years. Selected applicants receive complimentary conference registration, but are responsible for travel expenses, lodging, and meals. The ELA conference is held annually in September in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Applications are due June 1.


Awards and Recognition

Young Member Free Convention Registration Program

The Women in ACI are dedicated to sharing the experience of professional and technical collaboration with emerging faces of concrete in the concrete industry by offering the one full registration to the ACI Concrete Convention, valued up to $1200. This award is available 1 to 2 times per year based on available funds. The recipient is responsible for making, and paying for, all other travel arrangements, including airfare, hotel accommodations, food allowance, etc. ACI Membership is not required to participate. The contest is only open to those who have been in a concrete- or construction-related industry for less than 8 years. Applications are due on January 15 or August 15 prior to each convention.

ACI Young Member Award for Professional Achievement

The ACI Young Member Award for Professional Achievement was established by ACI's Board of Direction in 1997 for the purpose of recognizing the contributions of younger members of the Institute for professional achievement. Nominees must be ACI members and 35 years of age or less at the time the completed nomination form is received at ACI headquarters. Students are ineligible for consideration of this award. Awards are presented to awardees at the ACI Concrete Convention the following spring. Nominations must be submitted by February 15.

Walter P. Moore, Jr., Faculty Achievement Award

The Walter P. Moore, Jr., Faculty Achievement Award recognizes new faculty members for excellence and innovation in the teaching of concrete design, materials, or construction. The award nominee shall have taught undergraduate level courses related to concrete structural design, concrete materials, or concrete construction and have taught no more than 7 calendar years in ALL faculty positions, with continuous, uninterrupted service. Nominations are due June 30.


Lead, Volunteer, Contribute

ACI Technical Committees

ACI’s 400+ committees cover a diverse range of technical topics and Institute programs and are the perfect place to connect with peers and industry leaders from across the globe. Associate members have access to committee web pages and receive information on items being balloted, committee correspondence, and meeting minutes; associate members may express opinions during meetings but cannot vote. Voting members have all privileges of associate members, and must apply for membership, must actively participate in committee work, and must respond to ballots, but are not required to be ACI members. Learn more about how to contribute to documents and standards.

Call for Papers

The ACI Technical Committees offer many opportunities for young members to present their research or represent their employer by highlight important construction projects. The best way to identify these opportunities is to contact the Chair of the committee or look for requests for abstracts on the Call for Papers page.

Student and Young Professional Activities Committee (SYPAC)

The SYPAC committee advises the ACI Board of Direction on issues and strategies for the recruitment and retention of students and young members. To become a member of any of the below board subcommittees, go to the application page and look for the committee’s name beginning with the prefix 88- under the “Committee number & title” dropdown list.

SYPAC Programs

    • ACI Student Chapter Awards Program
    • ACI Graduate Student Travel Stipend Program

S801 Student Competitions

    • Concrete Competitions
    • ACI Student Awards Program

S802 Teaching Methods & Educational Materials

    • Best Practices in Teaching Concrete Materials
    • Concrete Design 201
    • Professional Development Breakfast

S803 Faculty Network

    • Faculty Networking Reception

S805 Student Leadership Council

    • Undergrad Research Session
    • ACI Student Forum
    • Student & Young Professional Networking Event

S806 Young Member Activities

    • What I Wish I Knew Session
    • Young Professional Poster Session

Available Positions

    • Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary
    • Presenter/Speaker
    • Session Moderator
    • Abstract/Application Reviewer

Connect With Us

ACI Local Chapters

Gain technical knowledge and develop leadership skills while expanding your personal and professional networks by joining and participating in your local ACI chapter. Chapters sponsor ACI Certification, educational seminars, project award programs, student chapters, and social events with the goal of advancing concrete knowledge and creating a local concrete community. In addition to becoming a member of the local chapter, there are also leadership positions available as a chapter officer or board member. Learn more about how you can get involved on the local level.

Volunteer Interest Form

If you would like to learn more about opportunities to speak, moderate, lead, co-host, review abstracts and/or applications, or participate in any of the student and young professional committee sessions or events, fill out the ACI Young Member Interest Form.

YouTube Channel

Check out the ACI Young Professional Playlist with recordings from past convention sessions, webinars, and podcast episodes. Like, Share, and Subscribe!


Contact Kanette Worlds, ACI Staff Liaison for Student and Young Member Activities.