Looking backward--and ahead

2012: A year in review.

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This time of year makes me reflect on all the positives of the past year, and allows me to look forward to and plan for the upcoming year. All sentimentality aside, December is the perfect time to review where we've been so we know where we're going. Here's a look at 2012--with a peek at 2013. As my dad always said, by studying history, we can learn from our mistakes and gain insight from our successes.

January: In my editorial viewpoint, I encouraged you to become more energy efficient, both in your personal life and in your building design. While this is sometimes easier said than done, January is the perfect time to create new habits and set new goals. This should not be a once-a-year task, however. We should strive to be more energy efficient in every aspect of our day-to-day lives.

March: This month's editorial followed a similar vein, though it focused on water conservation. Many building systems use water at some point, and we all rely on our local water source in our personal lives. Scientists and other experts around the world are trying to solve the problem of diminishing water supplies. Make March the month you vow to conserve more water. Each of us can certainly reduce our own water use.

April: Awards are a measure of success for some. For others, it's simply another line on a resume. CSE's annual Product of the Year awards--which opens Jan. 2, 2013, for the next round of innovations--highlight products that help us do our jobs better. Stay tuned to www.csemag.com/POY to learn about cutting-edge products from a range of manufacturers.

May: I don't think enough can be said about encouraging young students to become science, technology, engineering, or math majors in college. I also think that mentoring, andhiring someone with a broad range of professional skills are critical to a firm's success. In May each year, we honor young individuals who embody all the positive aspects of our industry. Nominate a young professional to the 2013 40 Under 40 awards program.

June: The start of summer is often the start of vacations. These breaks from work allow us to reflect on successes and failures, and revitalize our careers with a refreshed outlook. June is also your chance to share success stories. Share your case studies by sending them to arozgus(at)cfemedia.com.

July: In July, my editorial discussed high-performance buildings, and the technologies and systems associated with them. This is obviously a recurring trend, not only in the pages of this magazine, but also in the buildings industry overall. An anecdote: One engineering firm requires each of its employees--even administrative staff--to become a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professionals so they can stay competitive in the high-performance building arena.

August: We honor the MEP Giants in August each year. We will consider your firm if your gross annual revenue is at least $1 million. For more information, visit www.csemag.com/giants.

September: In each quarter--including September--we have a special edition: Pure Power. It focuses on all things power: generators, selective coordination, arc flash, etc. Electrical systems continue to be crucial to a building's success, and renewable energy and electrical efficiency are creeping into the pages of this supplement.

October: Commissioning--now another aspect of high-performance building design--has become not only more prevalent but essential to the success of a new or existing building. Our annual coverage discusses this topic from all angles.

November: As discussed last month, we are conducting even more research to better understand your challenges and needs. If you receive a survey via e-mail, I encourage you to participate.

December: With the year coming to an end, we all look forward to a new start. Let this month be the month you decide to take on that new class, volunteer for a new project, or write that technical article you've always dreamed of.