Alumni Career Feature
Justin Uzarski
We feature alumni with interesting careers from a variety of career areas. To find out more about the alumnus profession contact them via the e-mail provided. Or if you are interested in being featured, e-mail us at alumni@pct.edu.
- Justin Uzarski, B.S., HVAC Technology, 2006
- Westcode, Inc.
- juzarski@gmail.com
Justin’s Background
Justin Uzarski tested his installation skills at a young age. During his high school years, Justin was taught the basics of residential air conditioning units while working with his father’s residential air conditioning business. He enjoyed his work and decided to explore an education in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology. While reviewing the Pennsylvania College of Technology website, Justin learned the College offered a Bachelor of Science degree in this field, so he and his father scheduled a tour. The labs were impressive and unmatched by other colleges they toured. Justin knew Penn College would be the best place for him to develop his skills and education.
Westcode, Inc.
After graduating from Penn College in 2006, Justin was hired by Westcode, Inc. Westcode, Inc. designs and manufactures door and air-conditioning systems for all major rail vehicle manufacturers in North America. As program engineer, Justin’s responsibilities vary. When working on a large overhaul project, Justin must ensure all aspects of the project are running smoothly. From start to finish, he evaluates the unit, prepares quotes, orders and purchases parts, and then writes disassembly and test procedures. Due to Westcode’s global presence, Justin’s communication skills are tested regularly, especially when working with Japanese clients where the language barrier can be a major challenge. The combination of communication and hands-on skills, partnered with his technical knowledge, make Justin an asset to all areas of a project. His Penn College education has given him a substantial advantage over other engineers in the field.
Advice
Justin offers this valuable advice to those interested in the HVAC field: Be open-minded with your time in the classroom when exposed to unfamiliar projects and applications. He explains that his Penn College professor, Mr. Ask, always had his students thinking outside the box. His teaching philosophy encouraged Justin, whose, senior project was different than everyone else’s in the class and who is now working in an unusual area of the HVAC field.
Justin’s final advice focuses on the demands of industry. He says that employers look for individuals with hands-on skills and technical knowledge. Anyone can be taught the installation process, but to be successful and advance professionally, you must understand the theory behind it. On the flip side, many companies prefer not to spend valuable time training only theory educated individuals who lack the hands-on know how. Penn College teaches both and proves to offer the best mix.
Future Plans
Justin enjoys every minute of his job. From international travel and meeting new clients to working with his colleagues and recruiting recent graduates, Justin is grateful for the opportunities provided to him by Westcode. The railcar industry is consistently advancing with state-of-the-art equipment and technologies. Westcode, with its highly motivated business practices, is moving in stride with industry. Justin looks forward to growing with Westcode -- a company that strives to be a leader in the industry -- and helping it meet this ambitious goal.
