A simple look at the transition to joining the workforce. This includes many things: from walking to classes to commuting to the office or jobsite, from cramming for an exam to staying late to meet deadlines, from dorm life to work-life balance. I will share my personal experience and journey through the first few years out of college and what it’s like to work on long and short timeline projects, what I value in the company I work for, and some encouragement to students on setting themselves up for success when they’re outside the classroom.
Navigating the shift from campus routine to professional career can feel like stepping into a completely different world. Beyond changing daily habits, building a fulfilling post-grad life requires adapting your mindset, managing expectations, and finding your stride in a structured environment.
This seminar breaks down the real-world mechanics of starting your career, offering candid insights into project rhythms, team dynamics, and defining what company culture actually looks like in practice. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to take ownership of their personal growth, build sustainable habits early on, and smooth the transition from student life to early-career professional.
Jacob Ropp is a recent Notre Dame CEEES Graduate and Steiner Award recipient from the class of 2024. Jacob grew up moving around the US, living anywhere from Louisiana to Alaska. During his time at ND Jacob was involved in several clubs. In ASCE, he was heavily involved in the concrete canoe competition, helping the team develop a new mold technique. In Engineers Without Borders, Jacob traveled to Ecuador to assess a community for a water treatment and storage project. With NDSEED, he spent a year developing plans for a pedestrian bridge, then after graduating, traveled to Bolivia to construct the bridge alongside the community. Jacob is still involved with the NDSEED as a bridge corp mentor. F
ollowing his time at Notre Dame, Jacob started working for Abonmarche Consultants, a Michiana based full service engineering company. He has worked on a wide range of projects from neighborhood utility reconstruction projects to small permitting and site developments. Jacob now lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife, Alina and cat, Tiny Dancer.