Alumni Profile

Nick Catalino

Trying to understand how everything that is done during the college experience translates to the "real" world after. Looking back the experiences from small groups and EAS140 have really just felt more like the beginning of your career in the professional world. Professionally I would compare these experiences to my first internship/job/career and continue to build upon them everyday."

Where I've Been

Cities

  • Columbus, OH 
  • Baldwinsville, NY
  • Buffalo, NY

Organizations

  • Sutphen Corporation 
  • Vander Molen Fire Apparatus (representing Sutphen Corporation)

Positions

  • Project Engineer
  • Assistant Engineering Manager
  • Sales Engineer
  • Sales Manager

What I've Done

What types of work have you performed? What projects have you worked on?
Project/design/sales engineer for a Fire Apparatus manufacturer and dealer. Designed and managed production of many Fire Trucks being built for all over the country, North America and the world

What have been some favorite aspects of your work?
Being able to take part in the design and build of a something everyone relies on day in and day out especially on their worst days. Working with Fire Departments all over the country and state that operate differently getting to learn a different perspective of the industry from each group

What was one of your most satisfying days as an engineer?
Every time we get to do a Final Inspection at the factory and/or a new delivery is the most satisfying because it is the culmination of a several year design process and year long build process and the project gets to be shared with the committee members and the rest of the fire department

Was it worth it? What has your engineering background made possible for you? What value has it added to your overall life?
Yes everything has been worth it, Most importantly being the behind the scenes parts of being an Engineer. The problem solving, methodical thinking, big picture thinking, etc. really comes in handy both as part of any career and in every aspect of life.

Why it Matters

What would you say to the first-year students currently sitting in your shoes?
Trying to understand how everything that is done during the college experience translates to the "real" world after. Looking back the experiences from small groups and EAS140 have really just felt more like the beginning of your career in the professional world. Professionally I would compare these experiences to my first internship/job/career and continue to build upon them everyday. It made the transition between school, internship and career seamless looking back and list them on my resume as if they were in fact my first job experience. The communication and problem solving skills you learn will help you for years to come!