Nico Meneses ’25, a civil engineering major, just completed a summer internship at Island Exterior Fabricators in East Hartford. During this 15-week structural engineering internship, he honed in on his structural analysis skills and statics to verify curtain wall systems. Nico is excited to build upon this knowledge as he returns to the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture (CETA) for his final year of study before graduating in May.
Nico says the career ready programming built into both the CETA and overall UHart communities have been his favorite experience. Networking events have been beneficial because he has met other engineers who have shared useful opinions and experiences with him. He says these professional development opportunities have played a big role in helping him secure two internships and other hands-on experiences. Career fairs, hands-on lab work, and networking events have given Nico confidence as he prepares to enter the workforce.
The internship he recently completed was rewarding, but with that came challenges. Before entering the role, he didn’t even know what curtain walls were. “The challenges I faced along the way were frustrating, but that is what I enjoy about engineering,” Nico explains. “Facing these challenges was necessary in order to improve and grow my engineering skills and attitude.” He became familiar with many different computer programs and software packages during this time, further preparing him for his future career. Overall, he says he learned to value quality over quantity in his work.
Nico says that the favorite part of his CETA and UHart experience is the small class sizes, affording students the opportunity to build chemistry with classmates and professors. He says he is great friends with every single person in his program. Additionally, the CETA Design Expo has helped him gain real-world project experience. A pair of CETA faculty members have had a special impact on Nico. Song Wang, assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Biomedical Engineering, plans many extracurricular activities for CETA students. These include bringing industry experts into the classroom and taking students on site visits. “Since the moment he’s arrived here at UHart, he’s shown that he cares for his students and has a huge passion for civil engineering,” Nico says. “He also always communicates his ideas and plans, making sure the students are involved in the program both in and out of the classroom.” Additionally, Professor David Pines has been Nico’s advisor, there for him when he was struggling and always a person he could turn to for advice and help.
Nico chose to pursue his field of study because the creation and maintenance of infrastructure will always be in demand. “I’ve always wanted to help build the future,” he recalls. “I also love how there are so many branches to pursue within civil engineering such as structural, water resources, transportation, and more.” After graduation, Nico plans to work full time as a civil engineer and obtain his Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) license, but wants to explore different branches of the industry. Outside of the classroom, you can find him hanging out with family and friends, being active (particularly through soccer), and camping.