Meet our Engineering Technology and Engineering Management Alums and Students
In the profiles featured below, meet alumni and students from the civil, electrical and mechanical engineering technology programs as well as the Master of Science in engineering management program. These alumni and students discuss why they chose Point Park University and talk about their experiences with course work, class sizes, faculty and student interaction, campus life and how earning or pursuing a degree is helping them to reach their career goals.
Alumni Profiles
Kenny Casado
M.S. in engineering management, 2010
Customer Operations Engineer, BodyMedia, Inc.
"Point Park had an affordable tuition program and the Master of Science in Engineering Management program had all the classes I was interested in and more. I also had the chance to take some M.B.A. classes as well."
"Also, Point Park welcomed international students, therefore, I knew that the University had a multicultural student and faculty body. It was good to not feel alone and know that other people were having similar experiences as me."
Alan Young
B.S. in mechanical engineering technology, 2012
Pipeline Integrity Engineer, Det Norske Veritas
"Point Park was integral in helping me land my dream job with a really dynamic company. With the solid mechanical engineering education I received, I was a competitive player in a very tight job market."
"I believe engineering class work does not lend itself to big 300-person classrooms. Point Park’s small class sizes helped me get to know my professors and learn the material extremely well."
Nicole Perry
B.S. in civil engineering technology, 2008
Civil Engineer Supervisor, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
"Point Park has prepared me for my career in many ways. One way is that Point Park taught me the basic fundamentals in the field of civil engineering. Attending college while working full time taught me useful time management skills. Without these skills, I would not survive in the fast-paced industry of civil engineering."
"Point Park has also assisted me in effectively communicating with others. Lastly, Point Park provided me with a network of good people who I still communicate with on professional and personal levels. Many of my classmates work with me at PennDOT."
Arthur Chileshe
B.S. in electrical engineering technology, 2007
M.S. in engineering management, 2010
Distribution Designer, Duquesne Light Company
"Funny enough, one of my best experiences during my undergraduate studies was when my classmates and I would be in the labs until 9 or 10 p.m. at night trying to figure out how to solve a problem. We had great relationships with our professors who took the time to explain difficult concepts to us but also made the classes fun."
"As a graduate student, I enjoyed the Master of Science in engineering management program, which introduced me to the project management side of engineering and truly rounded out my education."
Graham Ferry
B.S. in civil engineering technology, 2002
M.S. in engineering management, 2004
Civil Engineering Project Manager, L.R. Kimball
"I chose Point Park for a number of reasons. I found the class sizes and student-to-faculty ratios to be very attractive. I knew that I would have easy access to my professors and that I would continue to see a lot of familiar faces as I navigated my way towards my degrees."
"My company was very supportive of my desire to excel in my career, and they assisted me greatly when I enrolled at Point Park and throughout my journey there. Based on the training and education I received at Point Park, I have grown from the position of draftsman to that of civil engineering project manager."
Chas Ainsworth
B.S. in civil engineering technology, 2006
M.S. in engineering management, 2010
Facility Project Management Engineer, FedEx Ground
“My parents always pushed education as a key to success. I chose to study civil engineering technology at Point Park based on its diverse student population, transfer credit acceptance, flexible class schedule and student-to-instructor ratio.”
"I plan to use my master’s degree to the fullest. My goal is to combine what I've learned in the classroom with my people skills to be in a manager position within the next five years. Most definitely, my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology was the catalyst that I needed to embark in the engineering field."
Eric Carper and Charles Frederick
B.S. in electrical engineering technology, 2009
Electrical Engineering Technologists, Eaton Corporation
These two electrical engineering technology graduates credit their senior design project with providing real-world experience, professional contacts and ultimately job offers.
“It was a great experience,” says Carper. “Twelve weeks isn’t very long, and we went down to the wire getting it done, staying after hours as we needed. But the project turned out really well."
"Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work because the class is hard and demanding," Frederick explains. "However, it will be worth it in the end -- at least it was for me. The learning experience alone was great!"
Melissa Englert
B.S. in electrical engineering technology, 2012
System designer, System One Services (contractor for Westinghouse Electric Company)
“Throughout high school my father encouraged me to pursue engineering. I decided to go the route of electrical engineering after learning about it in physics class.”
“I wanted to attend a school where the teachers know the students and vice versa. I also really liked the financial aid and scholarships that Point Park offered. Engineering is a very rewarding and challenging field. It is a field in which you are learning new things all of the time, so you really never get bored."
Rob Fausnaught
Mechanical Engineering Technology major
Graduated: Dec. 2011
Automation Engineer, Eaton Corporation
"I knew that Point Park had a reputable engineering program that caters to non-traditional students like myself. The wide variety of courses available in the evenings, along with the convenient location made the decision pretty easy."
"I was part of a senior design team that worked with Eaton to showcase their variable frequency drive system. That experience also introduced me to several contacts, including employees who are both current and former Point Park engineering students. The next thing I knew, someone was pointing out a job opening they thought I would be a perfect candidate for, and the rest is history."
John Frydrych
B.S. in civil engineering technology, 1991
M.S. in engineering management, 2003
Civil Engineering Consultant and Eastern Regional Manager, R.A. Smith National, Inc.
"The course work at Point Park offered practical, real world engineering in a field that interested me, civil engineering. The Master of Science degree offered advanced study and better prepared me for advancement as a consulting engineer where overall project management, oversight of staff and budget tracking are most important."
"Being a full-time student in a non-traditional setting and working with practicing professionals offered a unique environment to learn."
Joseph Reutzal
B.S. in electrical engineering technology, 2005
Product Safety Engineering, Anasaldo STS
“I chose Point Park because of the smaller class size and because they offered me scholarships. Also, they had a transfer agreement that ensured that all the course work I took at community college would apply to my degree. I really loved Point Park. The hands-on training I got was very impressive."
Student Profiles
Fenil Patel
Major: M.S. in engineering management
Internship: Allpoint Systems
Expected graduation: Dec. 2012
"I chose Point Park for four good reasons. I can complete the M.S. in engineering management degree in as little as five semesters, the cost of tuition is reasonable, the class sizes are small, and last but not least, Point Park is in the City of Pittsburgh, which is known for technology."
"Point Park’s engineering management program has done a great job in appointing professors with actual experience in the field they teach, giving them the ability to share their real-life experiences directly with the students."
Ryan Alm
Double major: Electrical and mechanical engineering technology
Internship: Lechtzer, Inc.
Expected graduation: Dec. 2014
"The engineering technology faculty members at Point Park are very knowledgeable and helpful. All of the professors teach the material very clearly and do a great job of preparing students with the knowledge needed to succeed after school."
"Point Park University has been a great experience for me. The professors are very helpful and I feel confident I will be successful after I graduate from Point Park."
Greg Harbison
Double major: Electrical and mechanical engineering technology
Internship: Continental Design and Management Group
Expected graduation: Dec. 2014
"I chose Point Park because it was close to home and offered small classes, which meant plenty of one-on-one time with professors if needed. Point Park turned out to be a great choice, and I couldn't be happier."
"I'd have to say the one-on-one time with professors and staff has been the best. They have great availability and are always willing to answer any questions I have. The night and weekend classes are great too. The students in my classes are always very mature."
Vasilii Savtchouk
Major: M.S. in engineering management
B.S. in electrical engineering technology degree, 2011
Electrical Engineer, Westinghouse Electric Company
Expected graduation: Dec. 2013
"My veteran benefits allowed me to go to any school of my choice as long as I completed a degree within 48 months."
"However, the small class sizes at Point Park really appealed to me. I was impressed with the faculty-to-student ratio and how 12 is the maximum number of students in an engineering technology class. I wanted to get the most out of my education and know what I needed to know."