understanding of the fundamentals. However, all too often, the end result is that graduating civil engineers, at even the Masters level, don’t really have a grasp of what will be required in the real world of applications. This kind of analysis paints the picture with a broad brush and clearly there are exceptions to this practice. The exceptions tend to be the handiwork of professors who have those real world experiences. Somehow, they find a way to integrate that which “must be covered” to that which will have lasting value as graduates enter the workplace. In addition, the advent of internship programs in which engineering students work for engineering and engineering contracting firms provide a dose of reality for those fortunate enough to participate in these kinds of opportunities. In my view, once one has mastered the “facts,” it becomes critical to grasp the relationships of things we see, understand and that which we will be required to manipulate. In this regard, all one need do is consider the teachings of Terzaghi and Peck and their emphasis on the observational method. In other words, “OK student what do you see? What does it mean? How do things work together? What is the fundamental, not necessarily the most obvious, challenge?” This is where one must gather the facts and then move on to a determination of the best, or at least the most appropriate, solution. And by the way, in the real world, one of those “facts” will invariably be tied to costs. In geotechnical engineering practice a great deal of emphasis is placed on applying “engineering judgment” not merely marching to the tune of prescriptive specifications. So where does one learn “judgment”? Ah hah, not in a textbook full of “facts.” Judgment is the result of a mind trained to understand relationships, connections and all the subtleties of cause and effect, with full consideration given to viable options. Now, it becomes incumbent upon leaders in the civil engineering community to convince owners of construction that the application of engineering judgment, based on a proven track record, is in the best interest of all parties, and ultimately the end user. So my friends, I urge you to take advantage of every learning opportunity before you, not the least of which is partaking of continuing education opportunities such as those provided by the Deep Foundations Institute. A perusal of the DFI website, www.dfi.org, will provide you with a menu of the kinds of educational options offered, not the least of which is the broad spectrum of technical sessions presented at the Annual Conference. It is in these kinds of learning environments that, along with respected colleagues, you will have the chance to continue to train your mind to think. A future column will deal with “Creativity and Divergent Thinking,” a way of bringing new perspectives to solving traditional and emerging challenges. 44 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAY/JUNE 2015
