As part of a work shadowing program, three Northwest Area High School students interested in pursuing an Architecture or Engineering career visited our Wilkes-Barre Office on February 19, 2009. Our staff considers it a privilege to share their experiences in the field of professional design, and we believe that their story should be told to other students within our community.

With an opportunity to view our take on the Architecture and Engineering business, the students met with representatives from our Marketing, Human Resources, Civil, Transportation, and Architecture departments and enjoyed a series micro-presentations. Our Northwest Area guests began their journey with Marketing’s spin on the industry, followed by a visit from our Human Resources Director with a focus on hiring, higher education, and employer expectations. The students also shadowed the daily work of a Civil Engineer, learned about technology in highway and bridge design from our Transportation Designers, and talked with one of our Architects about college, internships, and the day-to-day dealings of a typical professional. Chris Borton, our President and founder, spent some time answering questions and sharing with them his unique perspective as both an entry level employee and the owner of his own business. They also enjoyed lunch with representatives from several of our disciplines including a Mechanical Engineer, an Environmental Scientist, Transportation Designers, an Architect, a GIS Specialist, a Surveyor, and a Civil Designer. The goal was to expose the students to the wide variety of exciting careers that professional design offers so that they will be able to proactively prepare themselves for their future in the career of their choice.

The Northwest students who participated in this day-long excursion were Tim Cross, a Junior interested in Architecture; Jason Hilley, a Junior interested in Engineering; and Jacalyn Prasnikar, a Senior interested in Architecture.