Engineer’s Week Recap: Students Explore Careers in Engineering at BKM

Last week was the nationally recognized 2018 Engineer’s Week #EWeek2018. To promote awareness for the building engineering profession, BKM hosted two local high school students at our office on February 21st through the Society of American Military Engineer (SAME) Baltimore Chapter’s annual “Day with an Engineer” Program. Over 60 students were placed in firms throughout the area, all of whom demonstrated interest in STEM and were recommended by school faculty.

Zach, a junior at Carver Center for Arts & Technology, and Nathan, a senior at Calvert Hall College High School, met with staff with varying roles at BKM to explore the different paths in building engineering design. Zach gravitates towards electrical engineering design, while Nathan favors mechanical engineering and plans to attend Penn State University in the fall.

BKM staff account their time with the students and offer advice to the next generation of students interested in pursuing engineering careers:

Erik Shearer, PE, LEED AP BD+C:
“I gave the students an introduction to the MEP engineering field through the use of Revit, one of the major software platforms that our firm uses to turn our conceptual design strategies into comprehensive construction documents. We focused on how the program allows us to engineer in 3-D format to minimize design conflicts and to promote integration of our MEP strategies into the overall building design. My advice would be to stay abreast of new technologies that allow buildings to reduce their carbon footprints. MEP engineers in the building design industry can have a positive impact on how environmentally friendly their buildings can be by advocating innovative green design approaches.”

Justin Tunzi:
“We discussed how a space can have a sensible heat gain by means of conduction, convection, and radiation and a latent heat gain by means of moisture. I explained how we use the Trane TRACE 700 program to input the heat gain parameters to determine our heating and cooling loads. I would advise a future engineer/STEM major to allocate time to having fun no matter how busy you become with your coursework and to have fun with learning.”

Jonathan Bacci, EIT:
“The students and I spent our time reviewing design documents from sample projects and discussing the day-to-day tasks involved with the building design process. As part of the lesson, we analyzed an electrical single line to learn about electrical power distribution. We also went over several lighting plans and lighting control diagrams to learn about fixture selection, lighting layout design, and techniques for meeting energy code mandated controls requirements. It was helpful to use the design documents as concrete examples of how we as engineers work together with the architect, owner, and all other members of the team to overcome challenges throughout the design and construction phases. My advice for students interested in an engineering or STEM field is to try their best to keep their minds open to careers they might not have previously considered. The engineering world is very broad, and students will be exposed to a lot of different opportunities while in school. It’s been my experience that the first job or major that catches your interest is rarely a perfect fit.”

#BKMat50