As a civil engineering major at West Virginia University (WVU), Jessica Francis Cregut focused on structural engineering. During industrial engineering classes she learned about the role storage rack plays in improving efficiencies in manufacturing and logistics. She also discovered the academic scholarships offered by Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI). Awarded a $2,500 John Nofsinger Honor Scholarship from RMI, she graduated with multiple honors in 2019. After five years of practical, hands-on experience, Cregut passed the Professional Engineering exam in early 2024.
RMI Scholarship Helped Pay for Schooling
Although her focus in undergrad was on structural engineering, Cregut learned about supply chain and material handling in industrial engineering electives. She’d selected the courses to broaden her understanding of different engineering applications. Discovering the RMI Honor Scholarship opportunity was a nice bonus.
“I found the RMI scholarship by searching for educational assistance related to the classes I was taking,” she recalled. “As I learned about the supply chain and material handling industry, I found it very interesting. Our professor was an experienced industrial engineer who taught us about improving efficiencies in manufacturing processes and logistics.”
RMI scholarships, underwritten by ASG Services, are part of the Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI). Recipients can apply the funds to tuition, fees, books, and other education-related costs.
To be eligible for an RMI scholarship, an applicant must be an undergraduate enrolled full-time for an entire academic year. They must also be planning a career in supply chain, logistics, or material handling. Further, applicants must possess strong leadership skills, dedication to excellence, persistence in their educational pursuits, and growth potential.
Cregut was a strong candidate for the award. Her undergraduate coursework included concrete design, construction methods, mechanics of materials, steel design, transportation engineering, and more. She also completed two internships with telecommunications infrastructure firm Crown Castle.
Additionally, Cregut participated in multiple engineering honor societies and service organizations. She even found time to play the piccolo in the Pride of West Virginia marching band. Upon graduating with a near-perfect 3.98 grade point average, WVU named her an Outstanding Senior.
Realizing a Professional Engineering Career
A native of Pennsylvania, Cregut returned to the state upon graduation. There, she accepted a full-time position with a leading provider of engineering and consulting services.
“I began my career at Michael Baker International as a structural associate, with my Engineer in Training (EIT) license,” explained Cregut. “Then, I spent the last five years developing my skills in building design. I passed my Professional Engineering exam in February 2024, officially earning the title of Structural Engineer.”
Currently, she works with architects to translate building design concepts into real-world structures, engineering the essential mechanical, electrical, and fire protection details. She has designed offices, childcare centers, recreation facilities, maintenance buildings, and more.
“I enjoy taking the architect’s vision and figuring out how our team can bring it to life, while providing all the necessary supports for a safe building,” Cregut said. “I also really like math, so running all the calculations and making sure they comply with building codes is fun for me too!”
She’s even worked on facilities that house racking.
“I design my buildings to support industrial steel storage racks when needed,” she added. “I consider the loads they support and the size of their columns in contact with the slab. This ensures proper reinforcement of the concrete floor to resist the bending and shear forces that the racks are imparting to it. If the racks are on elevated floors, I consider those loads as I design my structure to take them all the way down to foundation.”
Advice for Engineering Students Considering a Supply Chain Career
Although Cregut’s undergraduate degree didn’t require her to study supply chain and material handling specifically, she’s glad she discovered the industry as part of her coursework. She said the insights she gained in her industrial engineering classes help inform her current decision-making process as a structural engineer.
“That knowledge — and the RMI scholarship — made me more aware of how I can better implement those same ideals in my work as a structural engineer,” explained Cregut. “Understanding the supply chain and material handling industry is essential for engineers. That ensures we are providing plans that use commonly available materials that contractors local to the project are familiar working with.”
Find More Resources About Supply Chain
To learn more about applying for a MHEFI or RMI scholarship, visit the Student Eligibility information site. Additional resources about careers in supply chain, material handling, and logistics can also be found at MHI.org, including the latest season of the Jobs of Tomorrow docuseries.
