Every December as we wrap up our calendar year, we have the opportunity to recap the year’s accomplishments, reflect on them carefully, and look to the future. Since the beginning and ending of most building undertakings rarely fall within a calendar timeframe, this recapping relates more to what you did personally, professionally, and technically during the year than about the number of projects you completed.

December, for many, is the month to count our blessings and think about our good fortune in becoming structural engineers—able to design and build important structures, big and small. In one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time—"It’s a Wonderful Life," a 1946 release that’s predictably shown every holiday season—all the main character George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) wants is to become a civil engineer and see the world. But George never gets to fulfill his dream of building great engineering structures around the globe. Rather, in typical Hollywood fashion, calamity after calamity strikes and George is prevented from even getting a college education.

Deeply disappointed and depressed over his failure to become a famous engineer, it takes a bumbling, but sympathetic, angel named Clarence to help middle-aged George see the tremendous influence he’s had on the lives of everyone around him. Even though the movie’s wanna-be engineer regarded all of his life to be mundane, Clarence’s intervention proves him wrong. He tells George, "No man is a failure who has friends." (And, in the end, an abundance of them show up to rescue George.)

By miraculously revisiting dramatic past and future episodes of George’s life, Clarence validates the significance of his life. The angel shows George how his years of selfless acts inspired others to succeed and fulfill their dreams. It adds up to lucid proof that George has indeed lived "a wonderful life" and has made a huge difference to everyone around him.

How doubly blessed are structural engineers! Not only do we have the opportunity to help others by being decent human beings like George Bailey, but as practicing engineers actually fulfilling George’s dream, we are doing important work that greatly benefits society and advances human progress. Every time we come up with an industry innovation or complete a project in a superior way, we potentially make the lives of many people better and easier. Because of this, a career in engineering can, indeed, be described by the phrase "it’s a wonderful life."

Not only can you and your fellow engineers help others through unselfish acts as good citizens and neighbors, but you can also improve everyone’s standard of living by doing excellent engineering work. After all, without the achievements of structural engineers, today’s complex and soaring manmade structures would not be possible. Nor would they be as successful as they are. Likewise, throughout history, most entries on the list of the "Seven Wonders of the World" are structural achievements. Be openly proud to be a member of such a noble profession.

Even though silver-screen classics such as "It’s a Wonderful Life" briefly allude to engineers and the work they do, it does put a spotlight—albeit a small one—on our profession. Such opportunities help introduce the practice of engineering to young Americans who are constantly in need of good solid role models. However, rather than depending on movies, TV, books, and non-engineers to make people aware of the benefits of engineering, why not make 2009 the year you engage in major efforts to showcase our profession to the public and to young people seeking career guidance?

As you engage in your reflections for the year, count all the opportunities that were presented to you as a structural engineer. In the coming year, consider spending more time on activities that will inform the public and school children about why engineering is truly a valuable profession. Take every opportunity to speak to civic groups, service organizations—such as Kiwanis and Rotary—and other public gatherings about your work and how what you do impacts people. Volunteer to speak to elementary and high school students on a regular basis. Serve on engineering college advisory boards and teach classes.

Your efforts—like George Bailey’s—will prove to make a big difference in people’s lives. And when you recap your whole career, you can be proud that you’re making our profession stronger and more significant.