The University of Hartford Student American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers Chapter had the pleasure of hosting members from the ASHRAE Connecticut Chapter for an inspiring and interactive meeting on Oct. 14.
The speakers shared their career journeys, industry experiences, and the many ways ASHRAE membership can support students as they grow into future engineers. Seyi Ogunojemite, EIT, Student Activities Chair and engineer at Salas O’Brien, spoke about her day-to-day work and what it’s like starting out in the field. Alexander Knopf, PE from van Zelm Heywood & Shadford, Inc., discussed the importance of earning a PE license and the long-term opportunities it opens up in design engineering. Carl Pappalardo from Wilo Group shared advice on interview skills and transitioning from design engineering to sales, while Emily Thomas from Melia Associates, LLC, talked about her role in engineering marketing and the variety of career paths within the industry.
After the presentations, Professor Cy Yavuzturk gave the guests a tour of the Mechanical Engineering Department and lab spaces. The event ended with a great Q&A session, valuable networking, and plenty of motivation for students to stay involved in ASHRAE and explore careers in HVAC and building systems.