Jonathan Kirk is currently in his fifth year of studies at Penn State majoring in Architectural Engineering (AE).  He plans to graduate with both a Bachelors and Masters Degree through the eleven-semester integrated B.A.E./M.A.E. program in December 2008.  Jonathan became interested in buildings and architecture early in high school, and knew that he wanted to attend Penn State to focus in building structures in the AE program at a relatively young age.  He has already passed the F.E. exam and is eligible to receive E.I.T. status upon graduation. 

Jonathan got his first real work experience in buildings by working as a carpenter for David McMillen Custom Contracting of Loysville, PA in the summer of 2004 near his hometown.  This gave him great experience in learning the basics of construction processes and the fundamentals of wood framed construction.  Though his work was with single family residential work, the hands-on work on a job site everyday gave him a better understanding of the construction industry.  In the summer of 2007, Jonathan gained his first internship in structural design at Nitterhouse Concrete Products, Inc. of Chambersburg, PA.  In his time there, he designed precast, prestressed concrete on over 20 projects which ranged from a few hundred square feet of hollow core floor plank for private residences, to a 6-level total precast parking garage where he designed nearly 100% of its components including double tees, beams, spandrel panels, columns, shear walls, litewalls, stairs, and connections.

Jonathan plans to intern with another engineering firm in the summer of 2008 with a focus outside of precast concrete to broaden the scope of his knowledge before he finishes his college coursework.  After graduation, he would like to work in a structural design firm while continuing to learn more about the field before obtaining his P.E. license.