Sam Lee, a UC San Diego structural engineering alumnus, shares his insights and experiences throughout his master’s degree program, including the initial draw to UC San Diego, his passion for teaching and mentoring, and his advice for incoming students.
The Call to UC San Diego
As someone who grew up on the East Coast, Lee was drawn to UC San Diego by the allure of the Golden Coast. He was also compelled by the rigorous courses and specialized faculty, particularly those with experience in structural analysis, design, and material-specific seismic detailing.
Once at UC San Diego, Lee dove headfirst into his coursework, which included an emphasis on structural analysis and seismic design. His courses in structural dynamics and vibrations and structural stability provided exposure to new topics and further ignited his interest in the field.
He also had the opportunity to assist in research related to the 2010 earthquake off the coast of Chile, combining knowledge from his courses in earthquake engineering and seismic design.
From Learner to Leader
While in the graduate program, Lee was mentored by structural engineering Professors Jose Restrepo and Lelli Van Den Einde, who were crucial to his success. He eventually became a teaching assistant for the SE 101 course series and SE 103, where he provided support to undergraduate students. This strengthened Lee’s passion for teaching and mentoring, which he continued even after graduation. He taught structural engineering courses at the New School of Architecture and Design in San Diego while simultaneously beginning his career as an engineer.
“Having learned so much about myself during my M.S. program, including how much I enjoyed teaching and mentoring students in undergraduate courses, it was important for me to find a way to continue to do that while working in industry,” he said.
Life in the Present
Now, as a structural engineering project manager and Associate at KPFF Consulting Engineers, Lee continues to provide mentoring and guidance for new engineers, helping them adjust to the company culture and flourish in their areas of specialization. In addition to his role as a mentor, Lee oversees multiple engineering projects, with an emphasis on K-12 schools, civic and cultural facilities and parks, and some multi-family residential projects.
“I’m responsible for managing many concurrent projects through all phases of pre-design, design, permitting, and construction. It’s a huge juggling act at times to ensure various milestones and deadlines are met and that we deliver excellent service to our clients, but it’s very rewarding to translate the client’s vision into a reality,” said Lee.
Coming full circle, Lee has had the opportunity to complete several on-campus projects at UC San Diego, including the Ridge Walk Trail, the Satellite Utility Plant, and the I-5 Switch Station, among others.
Community Counts
When asked about the most helpful aspects of the Structural Engineering M.S. program, Lee highlighted the relationships built with his classmates, which made a significant difference in coping with the demands of graduate school and preparing for the workforce.
“Beyond the coursework and engineering concepts in the program, the camaraderie that I developed with my cohort of classmates is something that propelled me to success when working as a structural engineering consultant. The ability to effectively communicate with our clients, including architects, contractors, and owners has been invaluable,” he said.
When asked what advice he has for incoming students, Lee emphasized embracing difficulties as learning experiences.
“Lean into the challenges that present themselves during your graduate coursework and know that for every difficult assignment, there’s an opportunity for learning and growth,” Lee said.