Juan Carlos Guzman

Norco College Alumni Spotlight (2020)

I am Norco College Alumni, and before my journey at UCI began, I was a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Mentor at Norco College for Integral Calculus, Geometry, Algebra, and Multivariable Calculus. It was during my time at Norco College where I really researched what I wanted to do.

Thanks to the Engineering Pathways and Learning Resource Center (LRC) staff, I found my calling as an Environmental Engineer. Currently, I am a Senior Environmental Engineering Undergraduate at the University of California, Irvine. As part of UCI’s Civil and Environmental Engineering program, I am enrolled in the senior design series. The design project allows students to get field experience, and are teamed up with peers to work together with local engineering firms. The firm I am working with is Fuscoe Engineering, Inc. for a land development project. My part of the design project involves the Hydrology and Grading Plan of the site.

Earlier this year I was the project manager for another land development project with a focus on the basic infrastructural, environmental, circulation aspects. The year before I had the opportunity to do research for UC Irvine’s Engineering Conference Tall Farm Project. I collaborated with fellow engineering students to design an 18 story vertical autonomous farm with a water filtration system, an autonomous crop farming mechanism, and utilization of AI to optimize the different structures. My group’s paper competed against other teams but ultimately, we won and got published.

Some of the Engineering Clubs I have been a part of are the American Academy for Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). As part of AAEES, I am the club Treasurer and handle fundraisers. Additionally, we tour public works facilities such as the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) and the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) to get insight on how the plant works and possible internships. As part of ASCE, I am on the rowing team in their concrete canoe event for the Pacific Southwest Conference (PSWC). The club also has lots of industry speakers as well as resume and job fair events. As part of SHPE, I am in their Professional Committee and had a mentor guide me to improve and polish up the job fair network, interview etiquette, resume, and professional photos. I also study with SHPE during study jams that still take place over ZOOM. Clubs are a great way to make friends in your major which has certainly been the case with me. I have been able to find a study group and space during school. However, I have also been able to connect with peers outside of class by going to club events at the beach or on a hike. Additionally, the Engineering Clubs have expanded my network which can help and widen my connections to possible jobs.

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