Council Mission
The mission of the SAME Young Professionals (YP) Council is to advocate for and engage young professionals in support of the SAME Strategic Plan and the Society’s mission through outreach, training, credentialing support, networking, and recognition. The council provides educational programming, hosts networking activities, supports local and national events, promotes leadership opportunities, collaborates on mentoring initiatives, and emphasizes visibility and engagement of young professionals within the Society.
Annual Volunteer Opportunities: STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps. Each spring/summer, SAME’s Engineering &Construction Camps recruit volunteers to serve as mentors and camp counselors. Learn More: Camps Mentoring.
Organization Structure
Communications Vice Chair: Cristen Sheppard, AICP, PP, mcfa
Conferences Vice Chair: Jaimie Wright, The Lewis Group
Credentialing Vice Chair: Wille Parks, RA, LEED AP, RRMM Architects
Programs Vice Chair: Sal Forgione, Associate AIA, PMP, HDR
SAME POC: Sarah Feighery, SAME National Office
Highlight your achievements or those of another YP in TME! Please contact the Communications Vice Chair with any questions.
Have a Post Event or YP Achievement to share in our next newsletter or across our social media platforms? Contact the Communications Vice Chair with any submissions.
The YP Conference Committee organizes networking events for Young Professionals as part of SAME’s two major national conferences, the Joint Engineer Training Conference (JETC) in May and the Federal Small Business Conference (SBC) in November. These include YP and Fellow networking events, Pre-Conference Connections, and support for reviewing and providing feedback to YPs submitting abstracts to speak at the conferences. YPs are also provided with an opportunity to apply to receive a stipend to attend the conference in the event they or their company are unable to afford to send them. Click the below ribbon for more information.
YP and Uniformed Member Travel Subsidies Applications are closed.
Rules/Information: Travel Subsidies to attend the 2026 Joint Engineer Training Conference and Expo (JETC) will be awarded to active SAME Young Professional (YP)and Uniformed members who have demonstrated support of SAME at the Post, Regional, and/or National level and who may otherwise not able to attend. Young Professional travel subsidies recipients are required to attend the YP Council meeting, and Uniformed travel subsidies recipients must attend the Uniformed Council meeting during JETC.
The travel subsidies include complimentary conference registration, round-trip airfare, and hotel accommodation for up to four nights. Recipients will be selected based on SAME participation, professional development, and accomplishments. Questions regarding YP and Uniformed travel subsidies may be directed to Sarah Feighery.
Eligibility Criteria
- Young Professionals (Industry, Government, or Military) who are 39 or under at the time of JETC 2026 or Enlisted Members (Active, Guard, or Reserve)
- SAME member for at least 18 months prior to stipend application deadline date. Join Date before October 1, 2022.
- Active member of a SAME Post, Field Chapter, and/or National COI for the past years (as reflected in the application form)
- Completion of the online application form, which includes a short summary of SAME Participation, Professional Development, and Accomplishments
- A Letter of Endorsement from the Post or Field Chapter President or COI Chair supporting the nominee of a stipend.
*Note: Priority will be given to individuals who have never attended JETC or have not previously been awarded a stipend.
Apply for 2026 JETC Travel SubsidiesSAME is invested in providing members with the tools and resources to develop and advance their careers within the A/E/C profession. The Credentialing Committee is working to help members understand the importance of credentials, what credentials apply to the A/E/C profession, and how to get and maintain them. Visit the Credentialing Opportunities webpage or contact the Credentialing Vice Chair with questions.
SAME believes the engineering community is strengthened when engineers and other practitioners obtain professional licensure and certifications. To assist this, the Credentialing Assistance Program is provided as a member benefit to reimburse anyone who obtains approved credentials. Reimbursement can apply to exam fees or study materials! For complete information, restrictions, and to find the application, visit the Credentialing Opportunities webpage or contact the Credentialing Vice Chair with questions.
SAME believes the engineering community is strengthened when engineers and other practitioners obtain professional licensure and certifications. To assist this, the Credentialing Review Course (CRC) Program provides SAME members with free access to credentialing review courses of their choosing to help prepare for their professional certification exam testing. For complete information, restrictions, and to find the application, visit the Credentialing Opportunities webpage or contact the Credentialing Vice Chair with questions.
The YP Programs Committee helps organize and review webinars focused on topics of interest to Young Professionals by finding presenters to participate in and support SAMEs national webinar offerings.
Upcoming National Webinars
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- Webinar
CMMC Pause: Compliance and Contract Risk Continue
The recent pause in CMMC Phase II delays the expansion of mandatory third-party assessments, but it does not eliminate applicable CMMC or underlying cybersecurity obligations, Phase I self-assessment requirements remain in force. -
- Webinar
Meeting the Growing Needs for Energy Supply & Energy Security
This webinar will provide a review of the electricity energy supply industry both globally and domestically. In the domestic analysis, the expert presenter will provide a detailed review of the evolution of the electricity energy supply and an analysis of recent trends at different time scales. -
- Webinar
Lessons Learned from Post-9/11 World Trade Center and Lower Manhattan Transportation Planning and Design
The events of 9/11 devastated critical Lower Manhattan transportation systems. In the early planning and rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s in-house planning and architectural leadership established a master plan framework which considered its impact far into the future. -
- Webinar
The Hidden Cost: Why Schedule is the Biggest MILCON Premium
Mountain Home AFB in Idaho currently uses groundwater to meet the base’s water needs. The aquifer that supplies the groundwater is rapidly depleting and is expected to run out of water in 30 years. This webinar provides an overview of the 15+ year effort to identify new water supplies and how the base chose to get water from the C.J. Strike Reservoir along the Snake River, 14 miles away. -
- Webinar
AI as Load Shock: Rethinking Energy Security and Mission Assurance
The rapid expansion of AI computing, electrification, and mission-critical digital infrastructure is fundamentally altering the energy security landscape. While AI is often discussed as a software capability or data challenge, its most immediate national security impact is physical: unprecedented, concentrated, and inflexible electrical demand that stresses grid infrastructure and traditional resilience assumptions.
Related TME Articles – Young Professionals
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Fulfilling the Mission
Rear Adm. Dean VanderLey, CEC, USN, Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, sits down with TME to discuss the Department of the Navy’s Systems Command for shore facilities and expeditionary equipment, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) and its varied responsibility that directly support warfighter lethality. -
Strengthening Installation Energy Resilience Through a Community of Practice
The Military Energy Resilience Catalyst strengthens installation energy resilience by providing opportunities for energy practitioners to develop professionally and connect with experts, senior leaders, and colleagues.
SAME Strategic Partners – Learn More
I believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute. I plan to encourage members to take on leadership roles, participate in events, and contribute to the Society’s mission. By fostering a culture of involvement and inclusivity, we can ensure that SAME continues to grow and thrive.
Summer Gladden, CF APMP, DBIA, LEED AP, F.SAME, CDM Smith