PRESS RELEASE

On Monday, November 12, Valmeyer High School sophomore John Wuertz spent the day at Heneghan and Associates, P.C., a civil engineering firm located in Columbia, Godfrey, Centralia, and Jerseyville.  Wuertz spent the day working with some of Columbia’s engineers and surveyors to learn more about the engineering field.

Wuertz is enrolled in a career awareness class at the high school to help him determine a suitable career field.  Approximately 20 students are currently enrolled in the career awareness class.  The students complete questionnaires which ultimately indicate suitable careers based on the students’ interests and personalities.  The students have the choice of either writing a long paper or completing a job shadow day with a local company.  Wuertz chose the job shadow day. 

When asked about his day with Heneghan, Wuertz said, “It’s a lot of fun and educational.  I was thinking about becoming an engineer even before taking the class,” Wuertz said.

The career awareness class and visit to Heneghan Associates has further enhanced Wuertz’s desire to become an engineer.  Wuertz spent the first part of the day talking with division manager Douglas Kinzinger about engineers.  Wuertz then spent time with land surveyor Brian Eberle helping to perform some surveys.  “I really enjoyed the surveying,” Wuertz said.

Wuertz will graduate from high school in 2010 and has hopes of eventually attending the University of Missouri in Rolla.  Please contact Heneghan and Associates’ Columbia office at 618-281-8133 for additional information.