| Author |
Message |
Scott McIntosh-Mize
Senior Member
Username: scott_mize_ccs_csi
Post Number: 99
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, July 07, 2014 - 09:25 am: |    |
I am the youngest full-time specification writer I know (1964 model).
On a side note, how old is the youngest Professional member of your CSI chapter? (I think our local has one person in their 30s, and a handful in their 40s).
If you've been successful attracting (and retaining!) younger members, please let me know how you've pulled it off. |
Robert W. Johnson
Senior Member
Username: robert_w_johnson
Post Number: 247
Registered: 03-2009
| | Posted on Monday, July 07, 2014 - 10:12 am: | |
Here are results of survey of specifiers concluded in 2012
"FYI here are update of results of the survey at both discussion forums (4Specs & CSI) after 82 responses:
Age:
High: 76
Low: 32
Average: 55
Median: 56
Age at writing first specs:
High: 56
Low: 17
Average: 32
Median: 30
Age at first formal specification education:
High: 56
Low: 20
Average: 33
Median: 34
Age at achieving CCS:
High: 57
Low: 26
Average: 39
Median: 40
Age at becomming full-time specifier:
High: 62
Low: 20
Average: 39
Median: 40
So based on this limited survey, today's "average specifier" would be 55 years old with an architectural education (70%), wrote their first specs at about 32 years old, had a mentor (72%) in their office (82%), got their first formal specification education from CSI (65%) at about age 33, achieved CCS certification at about age 39, and became a full-time specifier at about age 39.
There are a few that started in their early 20's, but not many (10%). This would seem to indicate that lack of young specifiers in today's world is not a new story and that most people do not become specifiers until they have been around the "professional block" a few times and discovered where their talents lie and what part of the profession they are most interested in."
This illustrates that most specifiers have had a few years experience before they become specifiers. This is not new and has been true for some time. |
Robert W. Johnson
Senior Member
Username: robert_w_johnson
Post Number: 248
Registered: 03-2009
| | Posted on Monday, July 07, 2014 - 10:16 am: | |
Attracting young professional members to CSI is a different question and a good one to explore. |
Liz O'Sullivan
Senior Member
Username: liz_osullivan
Post Number: 152
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Monday, July 07, 2014 - 01:02 pm: | |
At 41, I'm on the young side, but there's a young woman in her 20's in Calgary who is a full-time specifier. I don't personally know her. |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 1849
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2014 - 12:34 pm: | |
At 70, I'm definitely on the older side, but our Milwaukee board is quite young. I'd guess they average in the 40's and I have no idea how that happened. But I'm encouraged by it.
In fact, they are young and inexperienced enough in CSI that I'm trying to involve some of our more experienced older members to mentor the younger ones. There's that history and region / institute involvement that the younger members haven't experienced - yet.
I realize the Milwaukee chapter is fortunate in this and I'm doing my best to encourage and involve and welcome younger members.
It's attitude, adaptability to change, mentoring, value, and something else I can't identify. |
Richard Howard, AIA CSI CCS LEED-AP
Senior Member
Username: rick_howard
Post Number: 278
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2014 - 03:46 pm: | |
We managed to get a couple of recent grads to become active in the Columbus chapter (board members) after being officers in our student chapter. The dilema is that you need young people to understand how to recruit young people. We are quite fortunate to have reached that point.
I started writing specifications two years out of college, joined CSI when I was 26, and served as chapter president at 30 years of age. I have stayed involved in CSI ever since; in five different chapters and three regions. I have had dozens of family vacations planned around CSI conventions.
There is plenty of opportunity for involvement and it is the best way to learn. |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 1852
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2014 - 03:48 pm: | |
Amen, brother. |
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