Since 2021, Per Anderson, ’21, has been a full-time project engineer at Sellen Construction, the company the civil engineering graduate got his start with as an intern in 2020.

In his role with Sellen, Anderson manages the progress of the scope of a project, from materials to construction. Knowing how to effectively handle all these elements simultaneously stems from his internship, where he learned by focusing on one stage at a time under the guidance of two advanced engineers. His early training also included monitoring the document control process to ensure proper installation at job sites.

In what ways did SU prepare you for your work at Sellen?

“Being able to communicate well is the biggest thing that I got from Seattle University and I’m very thankful. Seeing stuff being installed … really helped me understand how to design. It made me a better student by giving me more background, so it was easier to pick up concepts in school. And it got me more excited about designing stuff, because I got to see it in the field.”

"Being able to conquer difficult tasks has been extremely helpful in the field, which I learned a lot of at SU."

Anderson says he looks at his education as being very solution-oriented. “… If you have a problem, you fix it. Not getting stumped by things and being able to conquer difficult tasks has been extremely helpful in the field, which I learned a lot of at SU.” Working with different teams—such as his group capstone project designing a 12,000 sq. ft. boarding school for underprivileged children in Colombia as an undergrad, “really helped me learn how to manage my time well.”

More Than a Profession—It’s a Purpose

For Anderson, a highlight of his role at Sellen is seeing a project from concept to completion and engaging with clients.

“My job right now is remodeling a K-8 school gym at St. Thomas School in Medina, so we got to tour a group of first graders through the job site earlier this week. When I walk through the school with my vest on, all the kids wave and say ‘Hi.’ … And so that’s another highlight—getting to meet the clients and see how excited they get about the spaces we’re building.”