Engineering students from two Penn State campuses recently stepped beyond the classroom to explore careers in the growing renewable energy sector, thanks to a job shadowing opportunity coordinated by the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State.
Students from Penn State Beaver and Penn State New Kensington spent the day alongside engineers and industry professionals from Exus Renewables North America in Pittsburgh, working to develop and manage renewable energy projects. The experience provided a behind-the-scenes look at how engineering, technology, and collaboration come together to support clean energy infrastructure.
The job shadows are part of the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center’s broader efforts to connect Penn State students with employers and industries across the region, helping them explore career pathways while gaining exposure to real-world work environments.
For many students, the visit marked their first opportunity to observe engineers working in industry.
Kellen McAllister, a sophomore nuclear engineering major from Penn State Beaver, said the experience helped him better understand how engineering skills translate across different fields.
“This was my first job shadowing experience, and I had a great time getting to see the intricate details that go on day to day as an engineer,” he said. “While it may not directly relate to my intended field after graduation, I was able to learn a lot of skills that transfer between fields.”
Throughout the day, students met with engineers from different teams, learned about their career paths, and observed professionals collaborating on active projects. They also saw firsthand how engineers approach complex challenges.
One conversation about problem-solving made a lasting impression on Kellen.
“The part that I took to heart was learning about viewing problems in layers,” he said. “Being able to visualize a problem that way helps engineers come up with better solutions.”
For other students, the experience reinforced their interest in pursuing careers in renewable energy.
James Brocklehurst, an engineering student at Penn State Beaver, said seeing engineers at work made the field feel more tangible.
“This was my first time ever seeing engineers actually working, so the job shadowing was very fun and informative,” Brocklehurst said. “Especially for me, since I hope to make a career working with renewable energy sources.”
One moment that stood out to him was observing engineers troubleshoot a challenge involving solar panel tracking.
“I listened in while engineers were working through a backtracking issue at one of the solar farms and discussing how to correct the panels to maximize energy production,” he said.
The experience made such an impression that Brocklehurst is now applying for internships with the company.
Students from Penn State New Kensington had similar takeaways from their visit.
Paul Roberts, a sophomore engineering major, reflected about the insight he gained into the collaborative nature of engineering work.
“I gained valuable insight into the daily activities, communications, and thought processes engineers use,” Roberts shared. “I found it interesting that some engineers were doing work unrelated to their original major, but were using skills they built through engineering and communication.”
Roberts also discovered new technical tools that sparked his curiosity.
“Seeing how they used Python to automate basic tasks motivated me to start learning it myself,” he said.
By coordinating opportunities such as job shadows, internships, and networking events, the Center helps students explore career paths, build professional connections, and better understand the opportunities available in the region.