A high school visit to the concrete lab during PA Build My Future and a trip to the World of Concrete as a Penn College student sealed the foundation to a successful career for this alumnus.
The world of concrete inspired me by helping me to understand how many opportunities there are in the concrete industry. Many people believe concrete is something as simple as sidewalks and patios, but after visiting World of Concrete, it is apparent that there is so much more to discover.
I heard about Penn College through my high school. They offered a few Penn College courses while I was still in school and also brought a group of us too PA Build My Future. As for deciding to enroll, I always wanted to get some kind of education after high school but I was never sure what I wanted to go for. It wasn’t till a visit to Penn College that I found the Concrete degree and sparked an interest in what it could offer for me.
Concrete Estimating. Though this class was not my favorite class when I was taking it, the tips and tricks I learned in that class are still things I use today. Learning how to look at a job from a broad perspective and see all the moving parts that go into it is crucial when it comes to trying to estimate. The same goes when you need to lead a crew on multiple tasks at one time. You learn too look ahead so you can plan your tasks accordingly.
I am a Foreman at Durable Surfaces, we are a mid-sized concrete repair company based out of Chester Springs Pennsylvania. We also have field offices in New Jersey and Harrisburg. I work the Harrisburg office, my day to day I spend my time managing a crew varying in size anywhere from 2-10 workers. I am responsible for making sure the crew is working safely, is properly outfitted with the tools and materials they need to complete the task, talking with other contractors to coordinate plans and communicating with management on progress and issues we may face.
My favorite so far was a flatness grinding project in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. This was a very large-scale project for a top General Contractor in the country. This project was a huge opportunity for myself and for the company as a whole. We ended up exceeding expectations and completed the job almost 3 weeks ahead of schedule. This led to a great relationship with the general.
This statement for me comes to life when I see so many alumni being so successful. I have many friends from college that I still talk too and everyone one of them is wildly successful in their fields. It shows that you don’t need to go into a huge broad field to find a great career. For me it’s about finding that niche and becoming a master at it and the opportunities will always find you.
Penn College helped me by granting me access to all of their connections in the real world. I was fortunate enough to travel to the World of Concrete in the winter of 2021. I was told stories about the trip and saw a few things online but it wasn’t until I got there that I realized how vast it really is. This helped me understand that the industry I was about to enter had no shortage off paths and opportunities. I would have never found Durable Surfaces if it was not for the connection with Penn College.
When looking at Penn College the numbers speak for themselves. We have so many different choices when it comes to choosing a career and having a degree from Penn College gives you an automatic head start. The ability to connect with future employers while still working towards a degree gives you a competitive advantage over others when competing for the same jobs.
Take 5 minutes and look into all of the different things that are connected to the concrete industry. Not only is concrete the number one building material in the world, it is something that changes by the minute. From making it stronger too making it more environmentally friendly, the industry is in constant need of new minds to help keep it moving forward.
"Take 5 minutes and look into all of the different things that are connected to the concrete industry. Not only is concrete the number one building material in the world, it is something that changes by the minute. From making it stronger too making it more environmentally friendly, the industry is in constant need of new minds to help keep it moving forward."
World of Concrete, the only annual international event dedicated to commercial concrete and masonry construction industries, features more than 1,100 exhibitors and nearly 37,000 registered industry professionals engaged in several days of networking, education and competition.
The only one of its kind on the U.S. East Coast, this hands-on program dives into science and math. Explores diverse admixtures and their applications. Invites creativity with decorative designs. And prepares graduates with the specialized skillset not just to thrive in the industry, but to lead it.
In the final semester, Concrete Science students are given the opportunity to attend the World of Concrete annual trade show. This trip has been made possible by the generosity of donors.
Prepare for a rewarding career filled with opportunity.
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