Beyond the Co-Op: Logan's Story

Spotlighting F&T team members who've advanced from co-ops to professionals.

Logan Cabral, Electrical Designer I

Logan Cabral

Electrical Designer I

In his role as Electrical Designer I, Logan is responsible for supporting the design, testing, and commissioning of electrical systems throughout the project lifecycle. His primary focus is to ensure that electrical systems meet project standards and perform according to specifications.

Since 2012, F&T’s co-op program has introduced students to the MEP/FP consulting industry through hands-on learning and professional development. While pursuing his Bachelor of Science degree at Wentworth Institute of Technology, Logan joined the program to gain real-world experience and expand his knowledge of the field. Over the years, many of our co-ops have gone on to become full-time members of the F&T team.

Q&A

CAREER PATH & EXPERIENCE

What motivated you to apply for the co-op program at our firm?

I was motivated by the opportunity to gain hands on experience in a professional environment and apply what I was learning in school to real-world projects. The firm’s strong reputation also made it an ideal place to learn and grow.  

What were your expectations going into the co-op, and how did the experience compare? 

I expected to be exposed to a variety of tasks and to learn the basics of the design process. The experience went above and beyond those expectations, I was trusted with responsibilities and given opportunities to develop my technical and professional skills.  

What kind of projects or responsibilities did you work on as a co-op? 

I assisted with drafting and design work; these responsibilities helped me better understand the workflow of projects from design to completion. This made it very easy to transition from school to a full-time position. I also attended a number of site visits with another engineer at F&T and this helped me with gaining real-world on-site experience.  

LEARNING & GROWTH

What skills or lessons from your co-op experience have been most valuable in your full-time role? 

The most valuable lessons have been learning how to approach problem-solving in a structured way and understanding project coordination between disciplines. Another lesson that was valuable to me during my co-op time was understanding F&T’s structure with a project from start to finish, it helped when I became a full-time employee because I didn’t have to learn a lot of things that newer employees would have to (such as standards and standard design practices).  

Did you have mentors or colleagues who influenced your growth during the co-op? 

Yes, I had several mentors who guided me, reviewed my work, and shared insights from their own career experiences. Michael Pang and Sam Harding (no longer at F&T) were two major people that helped me develop confidence and a clearer sense of career direction.  

TRANSITION TO FULL TIME

What made you decide to stay with us after graduation? 

I chose to stay because of the supportive environment, the variety of projects, and the opportunities for me to continue learning. I felt that this was a place where I could build a long-term career and relationship with such an amazing team.  

How did the transition from co-op to full-time employee feel?

The transition felt very smooth. I was already familiar with the company culture, processes, and expectations, which made it easier to take on more responsibility. It was also very exciting to officially step into a full-time role, with a place that treated me so well as a co-op student. 

ADVICE / REFLECTIONS

What advice would you give to incoming co-ops to make the most of their experience? 

Be proactive, ask questions, and take initiative. The more engaged you are, the more you will learn and the more value you can contribute to the team. Lastly, always be professional no matter how you feel or what someone has said to you.  

Looking back, what was your favorite memory or proudest moment as a co-op? 

My proudest moment came when I saw my contributions were reflected in actual project deliverables. It was rewarding to know that my work had a real impact on the success of project. There was also a sense of being proud, when you are working on a project that is for a hospital or something similar, it gives you the feeling that you are also helping other people. 

If you're interested in learning more about our Co-op program or reading our success stories, click here.