"Our District is looking for the industry's finest graduates and top talent to help design and build our nation's future by working with the US Army Corps of Engineers," says Lt. Col. Dennis McGee, Deputy Commander Far East District.
As an organization known for its engineering excellence across the Korean peninsula, the Far East District has achieved that notoriety due in part to their focus on acquiring diverse and exceptional talent. Their organizational culture is agile, innovative, collaborative, and inclusive. These traits have consistently allowed the Corps to outperform other organizations who have not created such priorities in hiring.
“When we examine the industry’s engineering changes and the new ways projects are being designed, the Corps is even more determined to seek new and diverse perspectives adept at uncovering advanced problem-solving strategies to keep up with those rapidly changing technologies. Our partnership with Advancing Minorities Interest in Engineering (AMIE) is just one of the ways we go about increasing the range of perspectives we bring to our projects,” says Far East District Commander, Col. Christopher Crary.
As the District looks to become an increasingly efficient and effective solution in the marketplace, it will continue invigorating its current staff to deliver leading engineering and environmental solutions on the peninsula.
“For the Pacific, the challenge is greater following a year-long pandemic. In this battle for talent, we must focus our efforts on emerging diverse markets to successfully attract, recruit, and retain a highly-skilled workforce capable of meeting current and future readiness and mission requirements in the Korean Peninsula. One way to get after this goal is to support Advancing Minorities Interest in Engineering (AMIE) in order to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities, minorities, and women,” says Mr. Stephen Brown, Far East District Equal Employment Opportunity Manager.
Kenith Ward, Project Engineer for the Far East District’s Security Operations Resident Office explains the significance of the AMIE program, “it allows the interns to learn the process of a project from the cradle to the grave. USACE-FED requires an integrated workforce with various skill sets in order to make a project successful. Incorporating Project Management, Engineering, and Design, along with Construction allows the interns to understand that obtaining a certain degree does not pigeonhole you into one field. It provides an opportunity for them to see what actually happens in different sections and how they are all tied to a single mission.”
Kenith is a primary sponsor of the AMIE program. He works with a team of other FED employees, who help announce, select, and mentor the students once they arrive in South Korea. “We allow them to experience the interactions between multiple Divisions in FED to give them an understanding of how each department is intertwined. Most importantly, the AMIE program provides our interns with the opportunity to experience the South Korean culture. Our AMIE sponsors incorporate multiple tours (DMZ, city tours, food tours) and adventures throughout South Korea; providing our interns with an experience they will never forget.”
Samuel Coleman recalls his time as a USACE AMIE intern, “The AMIE internship opportunity was amazing. I was able to work in various areas within the FED including project management, engineering, and construction.
The experience has led me to expand what I wanted to do in engineering into project and construction management. My Points of Contact were exceptional in helping me navigate through the program, Korea, and the various military installations we visited.”
Coleman is currently working on his master’s degree in structural engineering at the University of Florida.
The Far East District will begin accepting applications for this year’s AMIE internship via USA Jobs in January. This opportunity is available to students pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate from an accredited high school, college, trade school, or advanced degree program.
You may learn more about the FED’s AMIE program here:
https://youtu.be/dQIoKUVleTg