May 07, 2019

Exploring New Opportunities with Arium AE

Sometimes, our only limitations are those we place on ourselves. But with the right environment and encouragement, we can push through to discover new opportunities. For me, Arium AE was the catalyst I needed to pursue new fields as I move forward in my career.

My name is Jason Mickenberg, and I’m a Junior at the York College of Pennsylvania, currently studying Mechanical Engineering. For the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of working with Arium AE as an Engineering Intern with a focus on HVAC design. Although I was originally hesitant to delve into this aspect of the industry, I experienced nothing but support from my very first interview with the company.

When I originally contacted my supervisor, Scott Walthour, about the opportunity at Arium, he was very positive and responsive. Although the initial interview was brief, I left feeling hopeful because of his words: “We can make it work. Just let me talk with my team.” Before I knew it, I was a member of this amazing organization, welcomed by their sincere desire to help me learn more about the world of engineering and HVAC.

In the beginning, I practiced using design tools, like AutoCAD, as I worked to combine what I knew from my college courses with my rapidly-developing on-the-job skills. Then, I was able draft existing designs and even accompany other team members on site surveys. As they taught me new concept and skills, they remained extremely friendly and patient.

Although I made some mistakes along the way, I was never criticized. Instead, everyone would offer helpful tips and suggestions to minimize the risk of similar errors occurring in the future. Once I got comfortable with certain tasks, they would then push me to new heights by assigning increasingly challenging projects. Fortunately, I never felt overwhelmed. Thanks to the wonderful support system at Arium, I completed my best work to date!

They also afforded me opportunities that I never expected to have as an intern. Apart from attending a TRANE seminar to learn more about HVAC systems and the controls associated with them, I was also able to meet with building engineers and clients. After gathering information on the spaces in question, I set up site surveys and even conducted two independent surveys of potential job sites.

Thus, they provided me with a chance to gain hands-on knowledge of HVAC systems and then test what I had learned in an authentic setting. My communication skills also improved drastically throughout this experience, giving me more confidence as I move toward graduation.

Honestly, without this opportunity to explore the world of HVAC engineering, I would have isolated myself from many possibilities in this growing industry. Not only that, but I would have missed out on many of the details that captivated me throughout this internship. All of which prompt me to seriously consider a career related to HVAC post-graduation.

For this and everything else you offered over the past few months, I would like to extend a huge thank you to Scott Walthour and the rest of the Arium team. This experience has inspired me to expand my perspective and explore new aspects of engineering that I would never have considered otherwise. Thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement. I will forever be grateful for everything you taught me—including how to overcome the limitations I placed on myself.

Sincerely,

Jason Mickenberg
Student Intern