Name: Mark Spence
Age: 25
Company:
Venture Engineering & Construction is a closely held, multi-disciplinary engineering and construction management company based in Pittsburgh. The company was created in response to the need for a process focused organization to serve process industries. In particular: green fuels, water/wastewater, energy, consumer product / healthcare, and other industries that require process engineering.
Job Role: Trainee Engineer
Since my employment with Venture I have been involved with creating specifications for Selective Adsorption Systems. I have also been involved in project planning and scheduling for a customer in Kansas City in order for the projects to meet the timescale. Finally I have been analyzing/running trials on gas conditioning systems.
Background:
Graduated University of Ulster in 2008 in Construction Engineering. During that time I spent one year working for a construction company in Washington, DC as part of my placement.
After graduating I worked for the NIEA for 5 months before spending 1 year travelling Australasia. On returning I was employed by an Accountancy firm in Belfast before applying for the Carbon Zero program. Got offered job to work for Venture Engineering in Pittsburgh for a year. This was to improve my knowledge on environmental issues and new green technology.
Expectations:
To find a job within the engineering sector when I get back to Northern Ireland. By the end of my internship I hope to have gained experience with PLC and DCS Systems, including developing process automation schemes for specialized areas such as statistical analysis and batch system control. Also over the next year I would like to learn more about encompassing refining, plant engineering, environmental technology, green fuels, material handling and chemicals which are involved with the Process Group.