RIT mechanical engineering graduate builds career path through early connections with K-12 University Center programs and mentorship opportunities

Rochester, New York – For many college graduates, earning a degree marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. For Rochester Institute of Technology graduate Julia O’Gorman, that transition comes with an international adventure, a new career, and the confidence that years of hands-on learning have prepared her for what lies ahead.

Before beginning her professional career, O’Gorman is celebrating graduation with a solo trip that will take her across Japan, South Korea, several European destinations, and Ireland. Once her travels conclude later this summer, she will move to the Atlanta, Georgia, area, where she will begin working at Robins Air Force Base as part of the 78th Civil Engineering Group.

O’Gorman graduated from RIT in May with a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering. She accepted a civilian position focused on construction management, specializing in mechanical systems at one of the U.S. Air Force’s largest installations. The opportunity represents the culmination of years of academic preparation, practical experience, and valuable professional connections developed throughout her time at the university.

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A major influence on her educational journey was RIT’s K-12 University Center, which helped connect her with programs that extended well beyond the classroom. Through the center’s collaboration with the U.S. Department of Army Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), O’Gorman gained access to educational initiatives, internships, and mentoring opportunities that helped shape both her academic and professional future.

Among those relationships was a mentorship with Donna Burnette, executive director of the K-12 University Center, whose guidance became an important part of O’Gorman’s college experience.

Looking back, O’Gorman says the K-12 University Center played a defining role even before she officially became an RIT student. She first discovered the university through one of its summer programs held during the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience that ultimately influenced her decision to pursue engineering at RIT.

Reflecting on that early introduction, she said, “It’s because of K-12 University Center that I was first introduced to RIT through a summer program during COVID, so it kind of guided my whole college experience from the very beginning. It was also interesting to work with K-12 University Center for a semester. I got to see the other side of administration and all the different organizations on campus that K-12 is involved with.”

Her involvement with the K-12 University Center also opened the door to another life-changing opportunity during her first year of college. O’Gorman earned the highly competitive federal SMART Scholarship-for-Service award, a program designed to support students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The scholarship provided comprehensive financial support by covering tuition, offering a substantial living stipend, and guaranteeing civilian employment after graduation. Those benefits allowed her to devote more attention to academics while reducing many of the financial pressures that students often face.

Describing the impact of the award, O’Gorman said, “It was another opportunity that shaped my path. The SMART Scholarship-for-Service program supports students in STEM fields by covering full college tuition, offering a generous stipend, and even guaranteeing a civilian job after graduation. The scholarship gave me both the support and stability to focus on academics and truly enjoy college.”

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Beyond the financial assistance, the program exposed her to the collaborative nature of engineering careers across government organizations. Working alongside professionals from multiple disciplines gave her a broader understanding of how engineering projects rely on expertise from many specialized fields.

She explained, “I’ve learned a lot about my own future prospects, but I’ve also seen how my work connects with professionals across disciplines, from environmental engineers to logistics analysts.”

Those experiences helped prepare O’Gorman for the collaborative environment she expects to encounter at Robins Air Force Base. Construction management projects require coordination among engineers, planners, contractors, and numerous technical teams, making communication and teamwork as important as technical knowledge.

As she prepares to step into her first full-time professional role, O’Gorman says she is eager to take on responsibilities of her own while continuing to learn from experienced colleagues.

Speaking about the next chapter of her career, she said, “I’m excited to be trusted with my own projects. It will definitely be scary at first, but I know the people around me will help guide me and ensure I have a good product at the end. There are a lot of moving parts in our office and a lot of different groups working together, so it will be fun to be a part of it.”

O’Gorman’s story highlights how early exposure to STEM education, strong mentoring relationships, and meaningful experiential learning opportunities can influence a student’s academic path and professional success. From discovering RIT through a summer program during the pandemic to securing a competitive federal scholarship and launching a career in public service, each step built upon the last.

Now, with a degree in hand, international travel ahead, and a career waiting to begin, O’Gorman is entering the workforce equipped with technical expertise, practical experience, and a network of support that began long before graduation.