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Hamden Hall Country Day School
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2014 Civil Engineer Helps Renovate Merchant Marine Academy Campus

Getting out in the field more and interacting with stakeholders were two things Maria Kozdroy, Class of 2014, was looking for in a new job. Maria recently found the right opportunity as a civil engineer working for the Capital Improvement Program at the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Founded in 1943, the Academy trains individuals for merchant marine positions, such as working on ships during times of peace and war. Most of the buildings and facilities on campus are in need of restoration. Maria’s role as the owner of the projects happening on campus is to ensure the project runs smoothly per the scope of work and the contract. She interacts with contractors, faculty, and staff each day to make sure all stakeholders are on the right page for advancing the project, along with heading outside to check on construction progress.

Since starting in November 2020, Maria has been engaged with the renovation of an academic hall on campus along with the installation of a new turf field baseball stadium.

Maria offered advice to those who are not satisfied in their current careers.

"Seek out other opportunities. Apply and see what happens,” she maintained.

Maria graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in May of 2019 with her Master of Engineering degree in civil engineering, then moved to New York City to start a job. With the new position, she said she finds herself making the reverse commute each day as the Academy is located in Kings Point, NY, which is the first peninsula outside of the city limits of New York. This doesn’t prevent her from thoroughly enjoying the job!

Her sister Priscilla Kozdroy, Class of 2017, is currently in Troy, NY, at RPI where she will be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science dual degree in mechanical engineering and design, innovation, and society. From January 2020 to August 2020, Priscilla had a wonderful experience working as a research engineering co-op for Edgewell Personal Care, specifically working for Schick, a big seller of razors.
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