Who Qualifies as a Young Professional?
The CERC Young Professionals (YP) Committee defines young professionals as individuals engaged in coastal engineering and coastal sciences, including academic researchers, consultants, and government employees, who are either students or have up to 10 years of experience following their last degree. The definition also includes an allowance for career interruptions, ensuring inclusivity for those with non-linear career paths and potentially extending the timeframe beyond 10 years. This broad definition acknowledges the diversity of career trajectories and the value of supporting professionals in different contexts.
CERC Young Professionals Meeting & Social
Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 5:15 pm - 8:00 pm
Free to Attend
(RSVP Requested During Registration)
Be part of history: this is the very first official meeting of the CERC Young Professionals (YP) Committee, including the election of its inaugural members!
The evening will start with the CERC YP meeting (5:15–6:00 pm), where the first committee will be officially elected and announcements made. A short introduction from WICGE and other YP groups will follow.
From 6:15 pm onwards, we invite you to a joint networking social directly on site at the conference venue, an easy and informal way to meet fellow young professionals right after the sessions.
Whether you’re ready to get involved in CERC or just want to meet peers in a relaxed atmosphere, this event is the perfect opportunity.
Drinks and light snacks will be provided.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Meet the Young Professionals Planning Committee for the ICCE Conference
Deidra Dittmar, AtkinsRéalis
Welcome students and young professionals! We are excited to have you join the upcoming ICCE conference in Galveston, TX! Please reach out if you have any questions and be on the lookout for upcoming events and conference updates. If you see me at the conference, please be sure to introduce yourself.
Erin Rooney, HDR
I am excited to welcome students and new professionals to the 39th International Conference on Coastal Engineering! As the coastal representative on the COPRI Governing Board, we are continually looking for ways to engage our inspiring students and new professionals! The YP committee has been working to develop content and events to amplify your ICCE experience. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Alexandra Schueller, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
I am thrilled to share that I have been selected as the inaugural At-Large Member of the Coastal Engineering Research Council (CERC). In this role, I will be chairing a new task committee to develop a framework for a CERC Early-Career Committee.
This initiative aims to engage younger professionals and ensure the continued relevance of the International Conference on Coastal Engineering (ICCE) by shaping a committee that will support and connect early-career researchers in coastal engineering. Coming from the Center for Applied Coastal Research (CACR), I am excited to further expand my voluntary work internationally through CERC and to contribute my perspective as an early-career scientist.