Name: Chad Ronchetti
Family: Kara Ronchetti
(Spouse), Merlot (Cat)
Major & Minor:
Comprehensive Environmental Geography
Year Graduated: 2011
Current Employer: Burns &
McDonnell Engineering
Length of Employment: 1 year
Interests and
Hobbies: Hiking,
cooking, and making my wife smile
What helped you
decide what route to take after graduation (i.e. graduate school or type of
job)?
My age. I was a non-traditional student at the age of 30 when I graduated. I
was eager to start a professional life, so I could retire with some pep left in
my step. As for the type of job, I wanted variety. I didn't want to be behind a
computer every second of my professional life.
What do you think
gave you the edge to get your current position? I would say that is
three fold. Having had professional experience in the way of internships and
student work, the references that come from performing at my best in those
positions, and a solid GPA.
Describe your typical day at work: As an environmental
specialist, working mainly in a GIS support capacity for the Environmental
Services and Permitting division within Burns & Mac, my job is
wide ranging in tasks. Though much of my work revolves around GIS and
data management responsibilities, 25% of my time is spent in the
field collecting support data for analysis. A few examples include:
finding estimated sediment load within a reservoir utilizing bathymetric
and sediment-core data; calculating the impacts of potential high voltage
electric transmission lines on environmental, engineering, and civic factors;
thermal variance studies that analyze
temperature variance in water-bodies near power generating
facilities; and assisting with wetland delineations and soil surveys.
Where do you see
yourself in 5 years? I
see myself ushering in an expansion of GIS support directly within my division,
and if I am lucky, managing the GIS workflow as a section manager.
What advice can you
give to those who are still in school? Take school seriously. Not only is it expensive,
but it is the foundation for everything you will do professionally going
forward. Our professors dedicate much of their lives to creating an environment
that is conducive to learning, understanding, and excelling, but they
can only give you the torch. It is your responsibility to take that torch and
run with it. Study, research, experiment, and learn from failure. Also, do
everything in your power to get boots-on-the-ground internship experience. What
you learn in an internship can be in-valuable, but what's more is the networking
and references you gain in the professional world. A solid GPA will get you an
interview, but good references can get you the job. Finally, appreciate your
professors. They do so much to give you a leg up, the least you can do is say
thank you.
