Oh, the places they'll go!
Students learn about the doors an engineering degree will open
2:26 p.m., Nov. 22, 2011--Like many freshman in EGGG 101, Introduction to Engineering, Teresa M. Ressel (BCE ’86, MCE ’87) wasn’t sure she wanted to study engineering as a freshman at the University of Delaware. She was even less certain as a sophomore because, she said, her engineering classes “didn’t come easy.”
Almost 25 years later, Ressel, now CEO of the global financial services firm UBS Securities, LLC, said she is “glad I stuck with it.”
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“Engineers are problem-solvers and the ability to bring solutions to problems is exciting,” the banking executive and UD alumna told undergraduate and graduate engineering students during the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s inaugural “Practitioner in Residence” day, Nov. 17.
Ressel was among five distinguished alumni who returned to campus for the event aimed at helping students realize the many doors a degree in engineering can open.
George Gianforcaro (BCE ’80) told the students, “You can do anything you want with an engineering degree.” Gianforcaro has used the skills he learned at UD to start his own business, IndutexUSA. His company manufactures and sells hazardous materials suits around the world.
“Twenty percent of Fortune 500 Company CEOs have an engineering degree, edging out business administration degree-holders by five percent, as well as those who pursued liberal arts, economics and accounting degrees,” pointed out event organizer Michael Chajes, professor of civil and environmental engineering.
While Ressel works in banking and Gianforcaro is in manufacturing, the other alumni participants have succeeded in construction, management and design:
- Michael B. Berardi (BCE '80), vice president of Wohlsen Construction Company
- George Gianforcaro II (BCE '91), president, IndutexUSA
- William L. Johnson IV (BCE '99, MCE '01), senior bridge engineer, Figg
- Teresa M. Ressel (BCE '86, MCE '87), CEO, UBS Securities LLC
- Robert J. Tucker (BCE '92, MCE ‘95), regulatory programs manager, DuPont Chemicals and Fluoroproducts, DuPont
The alumni cohort encouraged students to develop not only technical skills, like problem-solving, but also to sharpen their communication, listening, teamwork and networking skills. Leadership, business and entrepreneurial talents were also deemed critical for helping engineering graduates stand out to employers in an increasingly challenged economy.
“It’s hard to see the big picture of where we are headed when we’re, say, studying organic chemistry. It really helped hearing all that you can do with engineering and all the opportunities that are out there,” said freshman Tara Woodbury.
“Hearing that from people who have already established their success was beneficial,” concurred classmate Nadia Kiamilev.
Harry (Tripp) Shenton (BCE ’82, MCE ’84), chair of civil and environmental engineering, noted that the day’s activities were well received by students, adding that the department intends to make it an annual event.
Article by Karen B. Roberts