Read.Watch.Listen. The Value of Continuing Education
October 2026 Issue
A monthly forum to share diversity, equity, and inclusion resources.
Welcome to the next installment of Read.Watch.Listen. This month, we are diving into the value of continuing education for Professional Engineers. Frequently viewed as a means to an end, one of many boxes checked during the course of licensure renewal, the true worth of lifelong learning and the value it provides to design professionals is often discounted and overlooked. It is true that for many people the primary impetus to pursue continuing education is the requirement from their licensing jurisdiction(s); see this useful map for various jurisdictions’ requirement for continuing education hours in a licensing period. However, for many professionals there is the additional motivation of other benefits- curious engineers may learn about new techniques, resources, and construction methods that enable them to create cutting-edge designs and address issues only just becoming relevant in our industry. The resources in this month’s edition provide insight on the different types of continuing education available to professionals, and the various benefits designers can derive from pursuing creative educational opportunities. Please note that some of the resources listed may include links for purchasing various CEU courses or other marketing materials; NCSEA and the SE3 committee do not necessarily endorse any of these resources and they are provided for informational purposes only.
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6 Benefits of Continuing Education in Engineering | UC San Diego
The University of San Diego’s article on ‘Continuing Education in Engineering’ gives insight into six key benefits and how it can help you excel in your career. This article covers the impact to your pay and skills you obtain as well as covering requirements to extend your credentials as an engineer. Licensed engineers in 43 states must continue education as part of the requirement to keep up current licensures. Not only are most engineers required to take this step to further their career, but it impacts their earning potential, enhances professional development, and allows you to be more specialized in your field. This article gives you all of the reasons why continuing education is important while also providing you with tips on the how.
Published August 2026; Estimated Read Time - 5 minutes
Continuous Learning and Improvement is Key to Your Engineering Career | Engineering Management Institute
Nikhil Bodhankar, PE, LC, LEED AP, discusses his career and journey to firm principal while reflecting on the number one thing that kept him, in his words, ‘humble and hungry’- continuously pursuing new knowledge and personal improvement. His refusal to plateau and stagnate led him to grow new skills and become not just a better engineer but a better person. From researching innovations in engineering to taking advice on new activities from a stranger, he concludes that to stay curious about the world is to stay relevant, both in one’s personal life and professional undertakings.
Originally aired August 2022; 00:06:52
The Power of Continuous Learning in Achieving Your Goals | The Structural Engineering Channel Podcast
In this conversation between the Structural Engineering Channel Podcast hosts and guest Ryan Jeansonne, PE, Ryan’s varied and diverse work experience is discussed and he discusses how it’s helped him be a continuous learner. Having worked on structural to heavy civil, residential work to oil and gas, Ryan has kept an open mind and a thirst for adventure. Ryan talks about how the willingness to pursue knowledge in new disciplines and sectors has the ability to open doors and drive personal growth.
Originally published November 2024; 00:24:14
This article was originally published in the NCSEA's Structural Connection newsletter.
Read.Watch.Listen is a monthly forum hosted by the NCSEA SE3 Committee to share and promote conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion within the structural engineering profession. Each month, we will curate a series of articles, audio-visual and digital media to facilitate self-education in matters that affect our professional practice as structural engineers. Whether you choose to read, watch, or listen (or all three!), we hope you will join us in this important conversation. Missed the previous issue? Check out the NCSEA SE3 Committee News and Publication page.
Share your thoughts and/or recommended resources for the next issue at ncsea@ncsea.com.
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