Alumni

Richard Wood

  • Engineering & Industrial Design Technology

As a child, he loved creating with Legos and playing with remote-controlled vehicles. For Richard, the Engineering Design Technology program was a natural choice. He gave it his all and earned a regular spot on the Dean's List. And thanks to the College's Career Fair, he landed a job before graduation. Today, he's working at Newport News Shipbuilding – the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers.

Richard Wood
TAKING THE LEAD

Q&A with Richard

HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN ENGINEERING AND DESIGN?

My dad and grandfather were land surveyors and engineers and worked in the construction field for most of their lives. My dad still is a project manager for a construction and engineering firm. I was exposed to it a lot and always wanted to be like them.

WHAT APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING?

I’ve always had a passion for boats and boating. I figured this would be a good chance to get experience in the field. What could be cooler than working on some of the largest and most complex ships in the world? The location was great too, being close to Virginia Beach.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING?

My work is focused on designing structures (usually cabinets and enclosures) that house upgraded mechanical and electrical systems for any of the Navy’s 10 Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers that protect our country. I work closely with engineers to come up with the most efficient and cost-effective designs and then create 3D models and 2D drawings of the final designs.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT?

Learning and incorporating the many company and government standards and procedures into my designs. That was very challenging at first, but I am starting to get the hang of things now.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

The ability to use the software that I was taught at Penn College. Another perk is the ability to travel. I have traveled to Naval bases in Bremerton, Washington, and Japan. I plan to stay at Newport News Shipbuilding for the foreseeable future. I really enjoy the company and the people I work with.

WHAT ROLE HAS PENN COLLEGE PLAYED IN YOUR SUCCESS?

I would not have gotten where I am today without Penn College. Everything I learned in school has made my job so much easier, and I am in a much better position than those I work with who have not had the training I received. Penn College is committed to using the most up-to-date technology that is used in industry. For me, the result was a quick, easy, and seamless transition into a great career.

Guaranteed Momentum
Fun Facts

Fun Facts

  • The nuclear aircraft carriers that Richard works on are nearly 1,100 feet long and about 250 feet at the widest point, typically weighing in at more than 100,000 tons.
  • A normal crew size for deployment is around 6,000, and they can hold up to 90 fixed-wing aircraft. 
  • There is even a Starbucks on most of the carriers.
Alumni News
Smooth sailing

Smooth sailing

Imagine using your CAD skills to design some of the largest nuclear powered vessels in the world including U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. That is a reality for engineering design technology alum Richard Wood. In Richard’s words, “What could be cooler than working on some of the largest and most complex ships in the world?”

His story

Real-World Ready

"Our class sizes were small, and we had professors who cared about us and were willing to go out of their way to help. I can’t say 'thank you' enough to my professors and classmates at Penn College. They made my time there enjoyable and taught me more than I could have imagined coming into it."

 

Richard Wood

Programs

Engineering & Industrial Design Technology

Spark ideas that improve processes and impact outcomes.

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