How College Helped a Senior Project Manager at John A Martin and Associates Succeed
Adena, a senior project manager, credits strong academics and "a really good relationship with professors" for launching their career, securing an internship through a professor's connection. They highly recommend student involvement in engineering groups like ASCE, noting leadership roles in projects like the concrete canoe competition offer invaluable experience, stating that "people really value that."
Academic Excellence, Networking, Leadership, Internships, Professional Organizations
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Adena Geiger
Sr project manager
John A Martin & Associates
UCLA 2013
UC Berkeley masters of science
Engineering - Civil
Architecture, Construction & Design
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Immigrant, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Maintain a strong relationship with professors and utilize their connections for internships.
2. Actively participate in relevant student organizations (like ASCE) and take on leadership roles within projects.
3. Prioritize academics and achieve good grades to build a solid foundation for your career.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
In undergrad, I was mostly focused on studying hard and getting good grades. That really paid off, and I developed good relationships with my professors. I recommend going to their office hours and building those connections, especially with professors who have industry experience.
I got my first internship at a firm where one of my professors worked. I believe that really got me started in the industry. Once you have that first internship, the rest becomes a bit simpler.
Another thing is getting involved in student groups, especially at UCLA, like ASCE. Getting positions such as project manager for the concrete canoe or seismic competition is beneficial. All of that experience is great and provides the leadership preparation you'll need later in your career. People really value that.
Personally, I wasn't that involved. I participated a little in seismic design but wasn't in leadership roles like project manager. I didn't pursue those positions because I was commuting to UCLA and had transferred, leaving me with only two years to graduate. I was also tutoring, so my time felt very limited.
If I had known then how important those activities were, I would have made the time to get involved. But yes, I would definitely recommend it.