Building a Civil Engineering Career

How did you decide on your career path?

My path to civil engineering was paved by a lifelong fascination with New York City's infrastructure. Exploring the city's libraries, museums and landmarks as a kid sparked my curiosity about how things are built. This evolved into hands-on experience in carpentry, electrical and plumbing, which showed me the satisfaction of building something from nothing. Realizing the complexity behind even seemingly simple systems, I set my sights on civil engineering—a field where I could combine my imagination and technical skills with a passion for design and building.

Can you share a day in the life of your summer internship at Posillico Civil, Inc. What is your ultimate career goal?

My day at Posillico is a blend of office-based estimating and hands-on field experience. In the office, I collaborate with engineers, project managers and estimators. I analyze construction drawings for projects in the vicinity of New York City. My responsibility as a civil engineering intern is to ensure accurate quantity takeoffs for construction materials like asphalt, concrete, rebar and steel. This involves providing general support to engineers, compiling construction documents and estimating quantities for materials. The field component of my internship offers a tangible perspective on the work I do in the office. I've had the opportunity to visit active construction sites, observing pile drilling, concrete pours, reinforcement bar placement and the operation of heavy machinery like drilling rigs and automatic mix-pump units. My career goal is to become a skilled and experienced civil engineer, capable of designing and managing infrastructure projects that enhance society including bridges, piers, train stations and airports.

Why did you choose Lander College for Men? How is the school helping you achieve your professional dreams?

I chose LCM because it aligns with my religious values and can help me achieve my aspirations. The College's emphasis on academic excellence and personal growth resonates with my desire for a challenging and fulfilling education. LCM offers a rigorous engineering curriculum that highlights science and mathematics. The faculty is knowledgeable and provides personalized guidance. LCM fosters an energetic community of like-minded individuals who share their enthusiasm for personal growth. Being a part of the jazz society, for instance, or the robotics club, allowed me to connect with others while exploring a shared interest. This supportive environment has been instrumental in my development as a well-rounded individual and aspiring civil engineer.

Lander College for Men offers a "pre-engineering" program that aligns with the curriculum offered at the Grove School of Engineering for much of the required preliminary engineering coursework. Thanks to an agreement between the two schools, classes completed at Touro will count as credit toward a specific program when a student transfers to the Grove School of Engineering to complete the degree.

What advice do you have for other students interested in engineering?

Focus on a specific field of engineering and become well-versed in it. Familiarize yourself with relevant terms, quantities, equations and documents. Do plenty of research into the career that interests you by reading newspapers and books. Collect experience, when possible, through internships, apprenticeships or volunteering. Ask other professionals for advice or stories. Engineering is a very technical field, so listen in class and pay attention to the aspects of your education that teach practical application.