For National Engineers Week 2025, we’re sharing stories from Providence’s engineering talent to learn more about what sparked their passion for the field. From childhood curiosity to hands-on experiences, each journey is unique—but all share a common thread: a love for problem-solving, design, and making an impact through engineering.
Meet Hannah Mitchell, E.I.T., a Design Engineer in our York office.
Growing up, Hannah was always hands-on, helping with home projects, from renovating rooms to laying paver patios. Her dad, a natural fixer, passed down his skills, and she eagerly tagged along to learn. Even Christmas mornings were engineering challenges, with Lincoln Logs, Snap Circuits, and Legos—her favorite—keeping her busy for hours.
Reflecting on her journey, Hannah shares:
“I was always interested in math and science as a kid (not unlike most other engineers), but growing up, my parents always encouraged me to use those skills when I could. As of now, the running joke is that no one in my family knows what I do—they just tell people I do math all day.”
Meet Joe Grohal, P.E., Director of Electrical Engineering at Providence Engineering.
As a kid, Joe was always taking things apart, from bicycles to old radios and even appliances bound for the scrapyard. He loved studying how things worked mechanically and electrically. He spent hours with Popular Mechanics guides, reading cover to cover—especially the volume on electrical wiring, which became his favorite. By his teenage years, he was already replacing light switches and receptacles in his family’s homes.
Reflecting on his journey, Joe shares:
“I would say that all these experiences shaped my desire to pursue engineering and construction. I started my career in construction, and that time greatly shaped and aided me as an engineer. I enjoy working with clients to understand their needs and develop solutions. I really like to see how things evolve and come together in the design process, and I look forward to seeing the designs completed during construction.”
Meet Tyler Jantzen, E.I.T., a Design Engineer in our Doylestown office.
Reflecting on his journey, Tyler shares:
“As a kid, I was always intrigued by building with Lego and visualizing how things can be put together in all sorts of different ways! It also helped that I excelled in math and was super interested in buildings and how they stood up!”
That early curiosity led Tyler to a career in structural engineering, where he now helps bring projects to life through thoughtful design and problem-solving.
Meet Sydney Pribanic, E.I.T., a Design Engineer in our Pittsburgh office.
Reflecting on her journey, Sydney shares:
“As a child, I was always drawn to math and science, and I had a natural curiosity for solving problems and fixing things. Growing up, I looked up to my dad, an engineer, and that inspired my own passion for engineering. At Penn State, I dove into civil and structural engineering courses, and from that moment, I knew I had found my calling.”
We celebrate Sydney on #GirlDay2025, along with the countless women making an impact in engineering. More than just one day, Introduce a Girl to Engineering is a movement to show girls the fascinating world of engineering—and how engineers are shaping the future.
Engineering is more than just calculations and blueprints—it’s about curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. For Hannah, Joe, Tyler, and Sydney, their early experiences shaped their passion for engineering, leading them to careers where they bring ideas to life and create meaningful solutions.
As we celebrate National Engineers Week 2025, we recognize not only their journeys but also the countless engineers who make an impact every day. By sharing these stories, we hope to inspire the next generation of problem solvers and innovators. Who knows? The next great engineer might be a kid building with Legos or taking apart an old radio right now.
