AECSOP Student Profile:
Joe Selzie

Profile: Joe Selzle

Hometown: Omaha, NE

Career interest: Structural Engineer in Forensic Engineering Field

Internship opportunities: Nielsen-Baumert Engineering Inc. (January 2005-Present) ( www.nielsenbaumert.com) and Wiss, Janey, Elstner and Associates (Summer2008) (www.wje.com)

Durham School interests: AECSOP, ASCE, Concrete Canoe Competition, and PKI Diplomats

Internships: I currently have an internship with a local, Omaha structural engineering firm called Nielsen-Baumert Engineering, Inc. (www.nielsenbaumert.com ). I have been there for over three years now. My main responsibility is drafting. I draw structural floor plans and details for engineers. Most of the projects we do are in and very near to Omaha. It is very rewarding to drive around Omaha and see buildings that I helped to drawing for. I also get to do some minor design work with the engineers. I've design the roof structure for a Walgreen's in South Dakota, the steel framing for an assisted living facility in Wilbur, NE and the foundation for a new building for Valmont (between Valley and Fremont, NE). Over the summer of 2008, I will be traveling to Northbrook, IL (Chicago) to work with Wiss, Janey, Elstner and Associates (WJE) (www.wje.com). WJE is a unique type of engineering firm. They don't do any new design of buildings or bridges. They do what's called forensic engineering. When a building or bridge or other structure is cracking, leaking, or maybe it has even totally collapsed, WJE investigates the problem and figures out why it is happening. There is a lot of field work involved with forensic engineering. The engineer may be required to hang off the side of a building on a swing stage to investigate a cracking facade on a building. I am really looking forward to being there all summer long and learn as much as possible.