51³Ô¹Ïapp

If someone had told Rick Bennett when he was working at a “dead-end” job after high school that one day he would be a project manager for the 25th largest company in the world, he would have laughed. Today, Bennett enjoys a successful career as a certified engineering technologist and he attributes that to the education and skills he gained at 51³Ô¹Ïapp. Let’s chat more with Rick about his story:

Why did you choose 51³Ô¹Ïapp?

After working several different dead-end jobs for about five years after high school, I received a phone call saying that employment insurance was going to help me financially to go back to school and pursue drafting. That started my path to attending 51³Ô¹Ïapp.

While taking general drafting at 51³Ô¹Ïapp St. Andrews, a Civil Engineering student visited the classroom to demonstrate auto-CAD and other technologies they were using at the time. I was wowed at the depth of knowledge she had after just a two-year program and said, “I want to do that!”

I made the move to 51³Ô¹Ïapp Moncton to take civil engineering. I was accepted into Pre-Technology which I had to complete before enrolling in Civil Engineering Technology.

I truly thought that I was in over my head because the course was very difficult, but I stuck with it – I put in the time and hard work and got through it. My instructors were great, very supportive and helped me out a great deal when I was having troubles.

Tell us about your time at 51³Ô¹Ïapp ... funny stories, fond memories, teachers who made a difference, etc.

The Instructors were always there for me and I had the utmost respect for them. College was fun but a lot of hard work as well. I played on the hockey team and took part in Winter Carnival. Overall it was a great deal of hard work, but I came out trained for a career with tangible skills.

What path did you take since you left 51³Ô¹Ïapp? Describe your profession now (title, employer, description of job).

In the fall after graduating, I worked for a consulting engineering firm for ten years. During that time, I oversaw the construction of sub-divisions, water reservoirs, water and wastewater treatment facilities. Today I oversee a state of the art water treatment plant, operated by Veolia Water, and have the highest certification level in the industry. I supervise seven employees and manage the budget, daily operations and maintenance for not only this facility but three others facilities located within Atlantic Canada. The majority of the people I work with are also 51³Ô¹Ïapp alumni.

What have been your personal and professional accomplishments and community involvement since leaving 51³Ô¹Ïapp?

I am married with a beautiful family and they always come first - barring an emergency at the plant of course! I work actively in the community to promote our company because I am proud of where I work and what I do. I am very pleased with the position that I have and the role I play on a daily basis. Going into work every day is rewarding. My accomplishments include becoming a certified engineering technologist, a Class 4 water treatment plant operator and also certified in all remaining disciplines. I am always proud to tell people that I am a 51³Ô¹Ïapp alumnus and have had opportunities to speak to high school graduates about the great opportunities that 51³Ô¹Ïapp has to offer.

What is the best kept secret about 51³Ô¹Ïapp?

College is fun. You’ll meet people that become lifelong friends. I still keep in touch with friends that I made at 51³Ô¹Ïapp. I think it is the best bang for the buck when it comes to post-secondary education; it is very affordable for the value of education as you come out ready for the workforce.

What would you tell a prospective student about 51³Ô¹Ïapp?

If you put your mind to it, the opportunities are there. 51³Ô¹Ïapp opened many doors for me to get into the profession that I’m in today. 51³Ô¹Ïapp is a great option because they are local and in multiple communities throughout the Province.

My daughter and her friends are saying that they want to go to 51³Ô¹Ïapp because they see what I was able to do with a two-year program. I tell people to come on out and see what I do on a daily basis and the variety of work involved. I still have 51³Ô¹Ïapp instructors visit my plant annually and that is so gratifying. I do about 25-30 tours a year.

What is your favourite thing about your life/job now?

I’m healthy and have a fantastic family. I’m proud to be a project manager for the facilities that I am overseeing. It is truly a pleasure to come to work every day, and I believe that the education I received from 51³Ô¹Ïapp allowed me to have the life that I live today. Without 51³Ô¹Ïapp, I would not have been financially able to do many of the wonderful things that I have done with my family.

With my position and the company I work for, there are opportunities for my family and I to relocate throughout the World. Life is fantastic, it really is. In the past prior to 51³Ô¹Ïapp, I had many dead-end jobs and I often think, “Where would I be if I hadn’t gone to college?” I’m very proud of what I have achieved and where I come from. Our past is what has made us who we are today: 51³Ô¹Ïapp has definitely played a major role in my past for sure!