Pennoni regularly visits schools to generate knowledge and interest in the engineering field. In the spring of 2018, Pennoni went to Linden High School in Linden, NJ to participate in a panel discussion on careers in the engineering field. Joseph Rojas, a junior at the high school, signed up for the event to improve his knowledge about engineering and to hopefully narrow down what type of engineering he wanted to pursue.
“The panel introduced me to many of the different aspects of engineering along with projects that Pennoni has been involved in,” said Joseph. “I left that day with a few business cards of employees of the Newark, NJ location of Pennoni who were eager and willing to help me with any questions I may have had about engineering or my future.”
In 2019, Joseph started his first semester of college at Union County College in Cranford, NJ where he is studying to become a civil engineer. In December, he was assigned a career research project where he had to conduct an ethnographic interview on a professional in his desired career. He immediately thought of Pennoni. “Upon calling to hopefully schedule an interview, I received the best treatment and was recommended to a senior engineer in the company,” said Joseph. “I was given the opportunity to work with Olga Garcia in Pennoni’s Newark, NJ office. In addition, I was also introduced to many others in the office who were all glad to help me with my project.”
“The presentation given my junior year of high school helped guide me with the right steps to choosing civil engineering as the career I am working to pursue. I want to give a special thank you to Olga Garcia who was kind enough to share her immense knowledge about engineering. This is an experience that I will remember throughout the rest of my career and my life,” said Joseph.
“It is very rewarding to see the impact that Pennoni’s visit to Linden High School made on Joseph. It goes to show the importance of taking the time to inspire the new generation to become future engineers and leaders,” said Olga. “For someone in a similar position as Joseph, I would recommend pursuing a career you feel passionate about. Civil engineering offers the opportunity to select from a variety of career paths such as municipal, geotechnical, structural, highway, water resources, environmental, and more.”