Mark Arner, P.E.
Class: 1998
Current Job Title: Project Engineer with C&S Engineers, Inc.
Job Duties
As a transportation engineer and a licensed New York State Professional Engineer, I understand the importance of assuring that the foundation of any roadway or structure being designed will be capable of carrying the loads and forces that may be placed upon it over the course of its lifetime. As a 1998 graduate of the Civil Engineering Technology program at SUNY Poly, the foundation that I've needed to advance my career was well placed and continues to help me carry my workload every day. I am a senior project engineer at C&S Engineers, Inc. in Syracuse, N.Y., and my tasks have included designing horizontal and vertical highway alignments and drainage systems, estimating project costs, field inspection work, and managing projects. Since 2010, I have had the honor of helping guide the next generation of civil engineers as an adjunct instructor at my alma mater, teaching various transportation courses and a senior capstone class where the students team up on a semester-long design project.
How did SUNY Poly’s Civil Engineering Technology program prepare you?
One of the main goals I carry into each class is to impart the same enthusiasm and optimism for this career field that I got at SUNY Poly because the opportunities that this degree can provide are unlimited.
Anthony Roach
Class: 2018
Current Job Title: Assistant Engineer with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)
Job Duties
As assistant engineer to multiple DOT Construction Supervisors, I integrate 3D information via CADD models and GPS unit data to provide clear understanding of as-built and proposed highway and bridge elements. Model-Based-Contracting is morphing into my field of expertise as construction projects of all types are increasingly being built using 3D models, smart shapes, and comprehensive components. Construction projects will need very little if any paper plans and specifications in the future as every element drawn into a model can be categorized and smart-labeled. Material types, item numbers, and specification information embedded with quantity workups are at the ready to be modified by field staff with a near real-time update to the model.
How did SUNY Poly’s Civil Engineering Technology program prepare you?
The requirements of the CET program at SUNY Poly are rigorous and substantial, but completely doable and fruitful for those seeking to not just pass along each course. Professors in the CET program and other interdisciplinary courses are tough, yet accommodating to the students. Professors here seem to have a higher purpose in mind for their students and don’t just try to push them along in the programs. If you’re not a hardworking student before you get to SUNY Poly, and if you persevere, you will be by the time you graduate. The best thing about the CET program that I experienced was the camaraderie and work ethic of your fellow peers and the professors.
Dan Wheeler, EIT
Class: 2017
Current Job Title: Ready Mix Operations Manager with Callanan Industries, Inc.
Job Duties
Upon graduating in spring 2017, I was hired by Callanan/Clemente as assistant quality control manager. During this time, I became ACI and HMA certified. Performing mix submittals, trialing RMC and HMA mix designs, as well as monitoring daily production quality, were my daily tasks. Six months into my time at Callanan, I was designing and laying out RMC plant projects and consulting with engineers to obtain permits to expand. After passing my EIT, I was promoted to RMC operations manager and currently oversee the quality control department for RMC as well as plant production and repairs.
How did SUNY Poly’s Civil Engineering Technology program prepare you?
My education gave me the solid foundation required, making the transition to the real world as easy as possible.
Rene Adames
Class: 2017
Job Title: Project Manager with LeCesse Construction
Job Duties
I am currently a project manager for two renovation projects in New Jersey. One of the projects is a $17 million renovation in West Orange, N.J., and the other is a $10 million renovation in South Orange, N.J. My tasks as a project manager for these two projects consists of quite a bit as our budget did not allow for a Project Engineer, or an Assistant PM to assist with the daily tasks. My normal tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Create a baseline schedule and maintain an updated true impact schedule on the monthly progression of the project
- Create and execute subcontracts.
- Run owner architect/general/contractor meetings
- Execute change management
- Execute monthly requisitions
- Manage construction documents—this includes updating specifications, updating drawings, submitting product submittals, submitting project RFIs, etc.
How did SUNY Poly’s Civil Engineering Technology program prepare you?
I feel that during my time at SUNY Poly, I got a great sense as to how these three groups work together to accomplish the end goal. In addition to seeing how the whole construction industry works, it was a huge help to study structural engineering. Seeing the engineering side of things helped me understand the importance having an Engineer on Record (EOR) on a project and why it is important to keep them on your good side. There are times when you need a reply to an RFI or submittal overnight before the issue becomes a problem to the schedule.
Alexander Turner
Class: 2017
Job Title: Planning Specialist with Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Study (HOCTS)
Job Duties
In my position, I help in the development of federally mandated plans that are important to the transportation network to include the Long-Range Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Plan, and the Unified Planning Work Program. Together with conducting public outreach and performing data analyses, these efforts ensure that the bi-county area has a sustainable, multi-modal vision of transportation.
How did SUNY Poly’s Civil Engineering Technology program prepare you?
My degree from SUNY Poly helped by providing a solid foundation of technical knowledge and valuable soft skills. When I had applied for my position, I used my presentation and plans from my capstone class as an example of my work. My interviewers were impressed and my work was directly related to efforts that the organization was in the process of performing. This experience from the program aided me in my efforts to secure the job with HOCTS. My background in engineering technology is a valuable asset to my organization, and I play an important and gainful part in its mission with an opportunity for growth to higher levels of responsibility.
Leah Segerlin
Class: 2017
Job Title: Airport Engineer I with Passero Associates
Job Duties
Projects I typically work on are runway, taxiway, and apron rehabilitation or reconstruction, lighting improvements, drainage improvements, and hangar development. Techniques, design systems and standard practices I learned at SUNY Poly are brought up daily in my work.
On the construction inspection portion of my job, I regularly write technical reports, take field measurements for progress payments, coordinate with material testing companies, analyze test results and conduct progress meetings with clients and contractors. Understanding and successfully executing plans, specifications and construction management is key to outstanding results on a project. All of the basic construction practices I’ve learned were cultivated from courses at SUNY Poly such as construction administration, construction methods, civil materials and testing, and soils and foundations.
In design, I regularly apply math, science, and engineering practices that I learned at SUNY Poly. I use the concepts from the hydrology course to design pipe systems, detention basins, drainage structures and grading. Construction estimating and scheduling aided in my skills on estimating and reviewing plans related to Highway Design from an airport standpoint to complete site planning, earthwork grading, and pavement design.
How did SUNY Poly’s Civil Engineering Technology program prepare you?
SUNY Poly’s Civil Engineering Technology program constantly exposes students to applicable engineering problems and develops students’ skills to implement them in realistic situations, which laid the groundwork for the success in my career.
Jay Deschambeau
Class: 2019
Job Title: Bridge Inspector with WSP
Job Duties
My current role as an assistant bridge engineer includes responsibilities such as bridge inspection, report writing, LRFD/ASD load rating, and CAD design work.
How did SUNY Poly’s Civil Engineering Technology program prepare you?
The Civil Engineering Technology program at SUNY Poly has allowed me to graduate with the necessary skills and tools to be an effective member of my team at WSP. The CET program has certainly prepared me to be ready to enter the workforce and hit the ground running! I would say the faculty within the CET program are some of the best people anyone can ask to learn from. It’s one thing to have years of experience and knowledge, but it’s how they convey that knowledge to students which provides students the opportunity to apply it in a real-world setting. SUNY Poly shaped me into the person I am today. Graduating from the CET program enabled me to secure a position before graduation with a Top Five engineering consulting firm in the country!
Daniel Rivie
Class: 2019
Job Title: Bridge Inspector with WSP
Job Duties
As a bridge inspector, we go out to inspect components of bridges and gather the information needed to complete a Bridge Inspection Report. This report is created from the field work conducted, checked by quality control, and sent to the client for use.
How did SUNY Poly’s Civil Engineering Technology program prepare you?
SUNY Polytechnic Institute provided me with the necessary tools to take part in this job opportunity and be successful here at WSP. More specifically, the Civil Engineering Technology (CET) Department allowed me to thrive while obtaining my degree. Additionally, the CET Department has always pushed us to further our studies after we had graduated, whether that be by obtaining the F.E., getting a P.E. license, or completing a master’s degree. With the guidance of many professors with P.E. credentials in the CET Department, it has helped us to see what continuing education can accomplish. The hands-on classes and various field trips that we went on demonstrated real-world examples of engineering into the classroom. Smaller class sizes and committed professors provided a personal and enhanced learning experience that made my four years exciting and enjoyable. A Civil Engineering Technology degree at SUNY Polytechnic Institute will open doors that you didn’t even know were there!
Benjamin Taylor
Class: 2019
Job Title: Structural Engineering Technician at Zangrilli Engineering
Job Duties
Every single day I use the engineering techniques I learned at SUNY Poly in the workplace, but SUNY Poly did not only prepare me academically—SUNY Poly prepared me for the workforce as well.
How did SUNY Poly’s Civil Engineering Technology program prepare you?
While in college I learned to keep a good schedule, prioritize, and to be a diligent worker. Those skills have allowed me to secure an engineering job and be successful in the workplace. One specific skill I was able to refine was working with others. In the beginning of my time at SUNY Poly, I always worked by myself but, as time went on, I was able to work well with other students as well as my professors–especially professor Mattson. Upon my graduation I was able to be not only a person with head knowledge, but I also became a professional with the skills to succeed.
Patrick Bourdeau
Class: 2019
Job Title: Engineer I with 260 Structural Engineering
Job Duties
I am currently assisting with the design of the steel, concrete, and wood structure of commercial buildings within my engineering firm. A lot of what I learned in my design classes has given me the building blocks of the methods I use every day at work with how they apply to each exercise.
How did SUNY Poly’s Civil Engineering Technology program prepare you?
I highly recommend SUNY Poly as an engineering school because of the faculty. Their real-world experiences give a different insight to exercises that reading out of a book won’t give you. Their motivation for each and every student to succeed was also a shining point in the program for myself. I look forward to see how my experiences at SUNY Poly will help me in my future endeavors.
