Engineering the Future with Pathway to Success: How One Student Turned Opportunity into a Career

Born in Australia to Ecuadorean parents, Andrew moved to New Jersey during high school, where he soon joined Bridge to Employment. Through BTE and later Pathway to Success, Andrew developed the critical skills he needed to pursue civil engineering at Rutgers University. Now an infrastructure engineer, he reflects on how the path to his career began long before college, and how these programs helped him prepare for his future career.

“The Pathways program shaped my academic journey and career choices,” Andrew shares. “Being exposed to college-level coursework early on gave me the confidence to tackle hard subjects and proved that I could succeed in a demanding field like engineering.” Now, Andrew works as an infrastructure engineer at Engineering Technology Group (ETG), where he designs natural gas distribution projects, analyzes construction proposals, and ensures compliance with engineering standards.

One of the program’s most valuable aspects for Andrew was the variety of workshops and seminars—particularly those on financial literacy, study strategies, and career development. “Learning about financial literacy helped me plan for the future, and the study tips allowed me to stay organized,” he shares. Like many engineering students, Andrew faced challenges in managing his coursework. “One of the biggest hurdles was keeping up with the demanding workload, but the studying seminars provided me with effective strategies to break down complex material and stay on top of my assignments.”

In 2019, Andrew participated as a Facilities intern with Engineering & Property Services at Johnson & Johnson. When it comes to professional growth, Andrew’s internship was a key factor that helped him develop important skills that he uses every day at his job. His internship gave him exposure to project management, stakeholder coordination, and time management. “Attending meetings with contractors and architects helped me develop my communication skills and understand how different teams collaborate on important projects,” he reflects. In terms of mentorship and how important it was for him, Andrew reflects. “Having mentors guide me through academic and career decisions was so helpful—their advice reinforced the importance of networking, time management, and strong communication.” Seeing the value his first internship brought him, Andrew did a second internship with J&J in their Consumer Health Technology area in 2020.

Looking back, Andrew’s biggest takeaway from Pathways is the importance of perseverance. “Being part of Pathways gave me the confidence and tools to stay motivated and work toward my goals of attending college and building a solid career.” Andrew learned, “Take it one step at a time, and don’t be too hard on yourself when challenges arise.”

” Take advantage of every opportunity,” Andrew advises current students, “Each experience will help [you] grow.”

From being a dedicated Pathways participant to becoming an infrastructure engineer, Andrew’s story is a testament to the program’s impact. With the right support, guidance, and mindset, success is not just a possibility, but an achievable reality.