Two years ago, Jean Pierre Canizares was sitting in a classroom at the FIU Engineering Center. Today, he's a Senior Project Engineer at Moss & Associates — and he got there faster than most people expect.
After earning his master's degree in Construction Management from FIU in December 2023, Canizares joined Moss & Associates as an intern. Within two years, he had advanced to Senior Project Engineer, managing major projects and coordinating teams across multiple trades.
He recently sat down with FIU CEC News to talk about what drove his rapid rise.
What does the day-to-day look like?
Canizares describes the work as fast-paced and constantly evolving. On any given day, he's managing documents, reviewing drawings, coordinating with subcontractors and keeping projects on schedule. If miscommunication arises between project owners and subcontractors, he's the one bridging that gap.
"The core courses, like scheduling and estimating, were essential," he says. "They gave me a focused view of construction."
He also credits FIU's instruction in Primavera, a project portfolio management tool he now uses daily for scheduling meetings and updates, as directly applicable to his work from day one.
What else did you do at FIU to get ahead?
His path to Moss & Associates started before he graduated. Canizares attended every FIU Construction Management Career Expo he could, connecting with companies and building relationships that eventually led to his internship offer.
His advice to current students is blunt.
"Don't stay home. Go to the expo."
He recommends coming prepared, researching companies in advance and knowing which ones align with your goals.
"You won't have time to talk to every recruiter, so know which companies you're interested in. Ask yourself: what kind of projects do you want to work on?"
Even students who can't commit to internships benefit from showing up, he says. Networking and professional involvement – he points to organizations like Associated Builders and Contractors as a valuable entry point – can open doors.
"Be involved. Learn from professionals who've already walked that path."