On Sunday, August 21st, 26 students from Wentworth Institute of Technology graduated with degrees in Facilities Planning and Management. These students are entering a profession that has seen tremendous change and growth over the past twenty years. What was once the maintenance department has evolved into a critical component of the success of any organization. In the undergraduate program at Wentworth the students study, among other things: operations, project management, energy and sustainability, space management and a strong foundation in finance and accounting. Since today's facility manager is often involved with the long term planning and leading the charge on running efficiently (reducing energy consumption, managing space and making sure the workplace is a safe, clean, secure and efficient haven for employees) the more these disciplines are studied early in their careers the more successful they will be in their chosen profession. No longer does the successful facility manger (FM) need to learn everything "on the job." Many of the students graduate and move into good FM jobs within a few months of completing their education, a fact that many parents are very pleased to see, especially in the current economy. Where do the jobs come from? Since Wentworth is a co-op institution the students are required to find jobs in their field for a minimum of two semesters, and are encouraged to begin the process in their sophomore year which results in a third co op opportunity. Not only does this give them some real world experience but in some cases results in a job offer upon graduation. It isn't unusual to hear an organization has "created" a job for a student based on their track record and the skills they bring to the workplace.
In their final semester the seniors are required to present a "project" they have developed to an audience of professionals and their peers. The intention is to mimic a capital request approval process and the students spend two semesters developing and refining all aspects of their project. In the final semester they work with an adjunct professor as "coach," an FM professional who meets with them weekly over the course of the semester and assists them in developing their project and presentation skills. In late August the students make their "pitch" to an audience of industry professionals, answer any questions and respond to comments on the details and merits of their project. It's a daunting experience but the students have so thoroughly researched their projects that they are able to answer any questions on logistics, financing and value to the organization. As one adjunct professor remarked "I wish I had this type of training early in my career, it would have saved me a lot of anguish and embarrassment." It's this type of training that prepares the student for the variety of challenges the occupation presents.

I have spent my entire career in facilities management and have seen the evolution from boiler room to a seat at the executive decision table and have recently begun a second career as an assistant professor at Wentworth in the Facilities Planning and Management Department. My informal poll of the graduates reveals genuine enthusiasm and excitement about the numerous opportunities and it's not unusual to hear a graduate say "if I only knew about the Facilities Management program in High School I would have entered as an FM major rather than transferring after my first or second year."
As organizations become more sophisticated and efficient it's good to know we have some professionals entering the field of facilities management who are well positioned to take their profession and the companies they represent to the next level.

Congratulations to this year's graduating seniors and kudos on their performance in this semester!
* Natalie Lessard - Project: Concord Hospital Facilities Department Renovation.
* Rachel Milaschewski - Project: General Dynamics C4 Systems Lighting Upgrade.
*Leah Mulrenan - Project: Boys and Girls Club of Woburn: Teaching Sustainability.
* Linh Nguyen - Project: Millenium Pharmaceuticals Conference Room Management System.
* Sarah Novak - Project: JJ McKay's Restaurant and Pub: Safety, Style, and Efficiency.
* Meghan O'Brien - Project: Wentworth Campus Wide Technology Upgrade.
* Brian Saetang - Project: Benjamin Franklin Institue of Technology Window Replacement.
* Jeannine Stover - Project: Harvard Medical School Security Access Control System.
* Christina Arlin - Project: Harvard School of Public Health HVAC Improvements.
* Allison Reid - Project: AECOM Technology Integrated Workplace Management System.
* Thomas Bourgeois - Project: Implementing Green Behavioral Change in Laboratories.
* Fatima Al Sharaf - Project: Thomas Graves Landing Security System Proposal.
* Monica Kuczynski - Project: Greenwich Institute of Technology Sprint Nextel Cellular Transmitters.
* Nicole Duncan - Project: Fletcher Allen Health Care File Storage to Office Space.
* Kelly Gooltz - Project: The Dana Hall School Bardwell Auditorium Energy Conservation.
* Glenn Gould - Project: Effective Relocation of Patients.
* Marie Salama - Project: Providence College: Updating Construction Renovation Cycle.
* John Gnerre - Project: JM Lasers Expansion.
* Suzanne Meister - Project: Edison Square Complex: Lighting Retrofit and Energy Conservation.
* Trisha Bortles - Project: Capozza Tile and Floor Covering Space Planning.
* Tina Han - Project: Roxbury Property Management Co.: The PDA Crisis.
* Christopher Kozlovskis - Project: Spagnolo Gisness: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Trust.
* Melissa Nearen - Project: Blue Hills High School: Interior Camera Project.
* Jordan Taras - Project: Harvard School of Public Health IT Department Reconfiguration.
* Kristen Lesiczka - Project: Boston College Dorm Submetering.
* Althea Chute - Project: Penn Brook Elementary School Asset Management and PM.
Richard Christiano, CFM, associate professor, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, Mass.