August 7th, 2024
West Lawn resident achieves milestone of landing his dream job straight out of college.
In 2016, F.H. Paschen (FHP) and George Westinghouse College Prep (GWCP) joined forces to introduce the Paschen Scholars Program. This unique three-year initiative is designed to provide students like West Lawn resident Jose Reyes with hands-on activities that develop technical skills, foster problem-solving abilities, and offer real-world work experience. Reyes, a former GWCP student, was one of the first to embark on this STEM journey. His participation in the program set him on a path from high school to college, ultimately leading to a full-time position immediately after graduation.
After Reyes graduated from the Paschen Scholars Program, he left for the University of Illinois to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. He returned to FHP each summer as a paid intern shadowing “amazing managers” across different company divisions and learning the day-to-day,
“As a first-gen college student, I faced many unknowns,” Reyes shared. “But Paschen was always there, providing the support and guidance I needed. Joe Scarpelli, in particular, was a constant presence, checking on my progress and offering encouragement. My grades weren’t always perfect, but I worked hard to graduate and achieve full-time status at Paschen.”
Reyes found more than a job at Paschen; he found a “home.” The number of employees who had made the company their long-term career plan inspired him. He described Paschen as a stable environment that offered job security and personal and professional growth opportunities.
“Paschen is a one-of-a-kind company. If you tell them what you’re looking for, they’ll help you find it,” said Reyes. “They’ve been alongside me through high school and college, and now they’re allowing me to start a rewarding career. With their guidance, I know where I want to go and what I will be met with when I get there. I’m ready!”
On June 3, Reyes began his official full-time employment at FHP as a Project Engineer. In this role, he will be working on projects related to the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), allowing him to give back to his community and school system.
As part of its workforce development efforts, F.H. Paschen finds opportunities to influence students during their high school and college careers and through transition periods. In 2023, they launched Paschen Bridge, a paid internship for students transitioning from high school to college. Since its inception, nine scholars have participated. FHP establishes the foundation, offers stepping stones, and opens the gateway to a full-time career.
“We’ve developed an ongoing track for candidates interested in the industry. We identify their interest in high school and foster that interest through our Paschen Scholars Program. We then continue that trajectory with our Paschen Bridge and College Internship programs, so neither side loses touch with the individual’s career goals. These programs aren’t just something for their resume. They’re opportunities to gain additional experience alongside their schooling and develop a relationship with a company that intends to hire them full-time as a member of our organization,” said FHP Executive Vice President Joe Scarpelli.
