Civil Engineering Alumna Maria Brucker Collins, P.E., is a Project Engineer for KU Resources, Inc. Alumni Profile

Why did you choose Point Park University?

There were many reasons why I chose Point Park, but the biggest factor was the generous scholarship package the University awarded me. Keeping up with the scholarship requirements made me a better student, and I was extremely fortunate to graduate with very little student debt.

Additionally, the small class sizes were exactly what I wanted. I didn’t want to be a nameless face in a large lecture hall. The smaller class sizes meant a closer relationship with my professors, who always did their best to help us succeed.

Another thing that wasn’t much of a factor in the beginning but matters to me a great deal now is that three of my five siblings attended Point Park, and I even took an art class with my sister.

What did you like about the civil engineering program?

I loved how well-rounded Point Park's civil engineering program was. The many different lab courses we did gave us hands-on experience with how different subjects and theories actually work. It’s always fun getting to tell people that we designed, mixed and tested our own concrete in class. 

Briefly describe your career path after graduation and what you enjoy about your current role.

During the spring semester of my senior year, I attended the Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP) career fair where I met representatives from KU Resources. One of my classmates worked for them already and made sure I stopped at their booth. I’ve worked for KU ever since and have been introduced to many different facets of land development.

Much of my current role revolves around local and state-level permitting, along with Hydraulic and Hydrologic (H&H) Analysis. My favorite part of my current role is simply how different every project is. No two things I’ve worked on are exactly the same, and just getting to see what kinds of developments are happening in your community is so interesting.

Were there any faculty members who had a significant impact on you?

I had so many great professors at Point Park, but there are three who had a significant impact on me: Robert Garson, Ph.D, P.E., Matthew Pascal, Ph.D., and Aram Parsa, Ph.D., P.Eng.

Dr. Garson brought his unique sense of humor to class every day and somehow kept us awake through a 6-10 p.m. class.

Because I was a commuter, I often parked in the same place and at the same time as Dr. Parsa, and we would often walk to campus together. He never ignored me and would tell me how well I’d done on our most recent exam. I really loved his statics class.

Dr. Pascal is a phenomenal and engaging teacher. During my senior year, I really wanted to take his History of Calculus class but it didn't fit into my schedule. I’ve always been good at math, but I had so much genuine fun in his calculus classes.

What do you love about this profession?

I love that there’s always something new to learn. I’m currently enrolled in a course for 2D hydraulic modeling for H&H Analytics. Civil engineering contains such a broad spectrum that you really can’t ever be bored.

You recently passed the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. What was that experience like, and how did your Point Park education contribute to your preparation?

Studying for the PE exam was intense, and there’s no one to hold you accountable to a study plan but yourself. I took a review course with a coworker, and having each other for support really helped keep both of us on track.

Nearly every test I took at Point Park was open book, and learning how to find the constant, equation or conversion you’re looking for to solve the problem is vital for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and PE exams. Point Park faculty also emphasized developing the habit of writing down all your knowns and unknowns before attempting to solve the problem. I think it was helpful that I didn’t have to re-learn to do that or to un-learn any bad habits. I know that sounds simple, but in a high-pressure, time-sensitive situation like these exams, it’s extremely important not to rush yourself and miss something small or simple. 

Why would you recommend Point Park to prospective students?

Just as it was one of the reasons I chose the University, the small class size was one of my favorite things about Point Park throughout my studies. Your professors will know your name, and they are available to answer questions, inside or outside of their scheduled office hours. They care about your ability to succeed. 

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." – Aristotle

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