Engineering Alumnus Involved in UHart Library
Renovation Ignites Students' Interest in the Construction Industry
“Be excited, and stay excited.”
That’s one piece of advice Jim
Alibrandi ’84 shared with engineering and architectural students during a visit
to campus this month. Alibrandi, who is president of Interstate Electrical
Services, a Massachusetts company founded by his father, shed some light on how
to create a successful career path in the field of construction.
Alibrandi’s company is designing and
constructing electrical systems for the expansion of the University’s Mortensen
Library, which is underway. The highly anticipated completion is expected by
May 2017. (Read more about the library renovation project.) His excitement and
passion for doing a project at his alma mater was evident as he emphasized to
today’s students how they can apply their UHart education to “create, design,
and build in the industry.”
“There is a growing demand for and
shortage of a younger workforce within the construction industry, which is
translating into exciting career opportunities for students majoring in
engineering and architecture,” Alibrandi explained. “Positions in project
management, project engineering, designing, building information modeling (BIM)
detailing, and all aspects of build and design, can offer students the
satisfaction of taking a design all the way from drawing table to completion.”
Marquis Williams ‘17, who is from
Brooklyn, N.Y., and who plans to graduate with both a BS in Architecture and a
BS in Civil Engineering agrees. Marquis interned at Shelton, Conn.-based Turner
Construction over the summer, and found it to be a “lucrative and worthwhile
learning opportunity.” Marquis said, “I have seen many drawings and plans in
class, but I had not seen cement poured before.” After talking one-on-one with
Alibrandi, he now realizes his internship experience has given him an edge.
For Denise Prussen ’19, a civil
engineering major from Long Island, N.Y., the opportunity to speak with an
engineer in the construction field was insightful and motivating. “Mr.
Alibrandi’s success as an electrical engineer and his passion for construction
has made me even more excited about my initial plans to work in construction
project management.”
Both Denise and electrical
engineering major Merlene Buchanan ’19, were glad to learn their early exposure
in the classroom to engineering-specific software technology like AutoCAD and
3D modeling will pay off in future internship opportunities. Alibrandi says
that technology has helped change the way the construction profession operates.
