Ahmad Itani
University of Nevada, Reno Innevation Center
Reno, NV USA
"Put yourself in other people’s shoes and see why they do what they do. You’ll learn a lot from that."
Career Roadmap
Ahmad's work combines: Education, Engineering, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
I come from a culture where asking for help is seen as a weakness. Here in the U.S., it's a strength. If you're struggling or confused, learn how to reach out and ask for help and advice. It's so important for students to learn that it's okay to ask for help because not doing anything will have far greater consequences. Find a mentor that you can lean on for support and advice.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Civil Engineering, General
Beirut Arab University
Graduate Degree
Civil Engineering, General
University of Michigan
Doctorate
Civil Engineering, General
University of Michigan
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Growing up in Lebanon, there were really only two educational paths: medicine and engineering—I chose engineering because I couldn’t handle the sight of blood.
2.
I came to the U.S. in 1985 when I was 22 years old to escape Lebanon’s civil war and further my education.
3.
I received my master’s degree and Ph.D. in civil engineering at the University of Michigan.
4.
When I finished my Ph.D., I found a job in California at the state’s earthquake office—I moved across the country by myself to find a place to live before flying back to Michigan to bring my family.
5.
After three years in California, I relocated to the earthquake engineering group at University of Nevada, Reno.
6.
My expertise as a researcher is in the seismic behavior of steel bridges and structures.
7.
I thought I would work at the University of Nevada, Reno, for a few years and then move on, but I ended up staying and moving up through the ranks over the years.
8.
After holding the position of department chair, I now work as the associate vice president for research where my main goal is to help our researchers achieve their full potential.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Don't ask for help.
How I responded:
I come from a culture where asking for help is seen as a weakness. Here in the U.S., it's a strength. If you're struggling or confused, learn how to reach out and ask for help and advice. It's so important for students to learn that it's okay to ask for help because not doing anything will have far greater consequences. Find a mentor that you can lean on for support and advice.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I grew up in Lebanon where you don't know if you'll make it home that night every day. It's something we take for granted in the U.S. Lebanon's civil war started when I was a teenager and I knew I had to escape that environment as an adult.
I came to the U.S. from Lebanon during Lebanon's civil war. I was 22 years old and experienced a huge culture shock, but I knew the move was for the best because I wanted to get away from the civil war and further my education.