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PHS Juniors Explore Civil Engineering On Field Site Visit

PHS Juniors Explore Civil Engineering On Field Site Visit

Perkins High School juniors recently delved into civil engineering through a field visit around Erie County, guided by mentors from the Erie County Engineer's Office. Students Blake Parker, Nicholas Coiffard, and Sam Schweinfurth gained firsthand insights into the daily work of civil engineers under the mentorship of Jeremy Blakely, a 2000 Perkins graduate.

"We traveled around Erie County and looked at construction as well as inspected and surveyed bridges," Blake Parker shared. "Our goal was to learn more about what civil engineers do day to day."

Nicholas found the variety of tasks enlightening. "We mainly looked at bridges and roads," he said. "I learned that there is no 'normal' day; you do something different every day."

Sam aimed to see if civil engineering might be a future career path. "My main focus was to see if that is something I would like to do in the future and gain some experience," he explained.

Before the trip, expectations varied. Blake expected to "sit inside and design different things," but instead spent time "out and about looking at real-life things." Memorable moments included inspecting bridges by going underneath and checking for weaknesses—a highlight for all three students. "The most memorable moment was putting on waders and going in the water under bridges to inspect them by hitting them with a hammer," Blake said. Nicholas enjoyed "smacking away at concrete" to find weak points. Sam learned how to identify potential damage, noting, "They showed us what sound they wanted to hear when hitting the concrete and the different cracks that start to form."

The visit was invaluable for their learning. "It allowed me to get a firsthand experience of what the job is like," Blake explained.  Interacting with professionals enriched their understanding. "Just watching them do their job allowed me to see what they do and why they are important," Blake noted. 

Their mentor, Jeremy Blakely, shared his journey: "I am a 2000 Perkins graduate where I also coached football for about 20 years and still coach varsity track. Shortly after graduation, an Erie County Engineer's employee really sparked my interest in the field. I have now been employed by the Erie County Engineer for over 20 years. I really enjoy working with the students when they visit with hopes it impacts them in a similar way it did me."

Erie County Engineer John Farschman emphasized the importance of engaging with students: "As county engineer, I feel it is imperative that we work closely with area students interested in pursuing a career in civil engineering or surveying. When Tim Obergefell of Perkins High School contacted my office asking if we would host students, I was overjoyed. By working together, we give students hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of the job duties of our staff. It is my hope that some of these young adults will one day, after college, return to Erie County to fulfill their career path here."

McClain Farley, a 2019 Perkins High School alumnus, was the first student to shadow with the Engineer's Office. He also interned there during the summer after graduation. Inspired by his experience, McClain decided to attend the University of Toledo to study engineering and will graduate in the spring of 2025 with a degree in Construction Management.

Blake intends to study engineering in college. "I found what I learned to be very interesting," he shared. Nicholas remains open-minded but interested: "I still have much more to learn and more things to see." Sam is still exploring his options.

The journey of these Perkins High School juniors, under the mentorship of Jeremy Blakely and support of Erie County Engineer John Farschman, highlights the importance of experiential learning in shaping future career paths. Their experiences serve as inspiration for fellow students considering engineering.
 

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