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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