From Co-Op to Leader: Liam's Story

Celebrating F&T team members who’ve grown from co-ops to senior professionals.

Liam Mone, Senior Plumbing/Fire Protection Designer at F&T

Liam Mone

Senior Plumbing and Fire Protection Designer

In his role as Senior Plumbing/Fire Protection Designer, Liam leads the design and coordination of plumbing and fire protection systems across a wide range of project types. He oversees system layout, code compliance, and quality assurance to ensure all designs meet client expectations and project standards. Liam also provides mentorship and technical guidance to junior staff throughout the project lifecycle.

Since 2012, F&T’s co-op program has introduced students to the MEP/FP consulting industry through hands-on learning and professional development. Liam’s journey is a great example of how the program builds strong foundations for lasting careers—starting as a co-op and growing into his current role as a Senior Plumbing/Fire Protection Designer. During his time at F&T, he’s advanced his technical expertise, taken on complex projects, and become a trusted member of our design team.

Q&A

CAREER PATH & EXPERIENCE

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

I was motivated to apply because I wanted to join a multi-disciplinary engineering team where I could gain practical experience not only in mechanical design, but also in collaborating with other disciplines. I value environments where engineers work across specialties to solve complex problems, and I felt this program would give me exposure to both the technical depth and the collaborative skills needed to succeed in the industry. 

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

Going into my co-op, I was hoping to find a strong mentor who could guide me through the day-to-day responsibilities of a mechanical engineer, while also being part of a team where I would be included in meaningful workload and projects. My experience exceeded those expectations—I had an excellent mentor and became part of the Foxtrot team, where I was able to collaborate with engineers at all levels, from management to designers. This gave me both the guidance I was looking for and the opportunity to contribute directly to real projects.  

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

During my co-op, I primarily worked on drafting HVAC systems under the guidance of engineers, which gave me hands-on technical experience. I also had the opportunity to sit in on coordination meetings—both internally across disciplines and externally with clients and the construction team—which gave me valuable insight into the full design process and how engineering decisions are communicated and executed in real-world projects. 

LEARNING & GROWTH

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

One of the most valuable lessons from my co-op was gaining a clear insight into the MEPFP industry and the wide range of career paths available to a mechanical engineer within it. That exposure not only built my technical understanding but also gave me confidence that this is the right long-term career path for me. It reinforced the importance of collaboration across disciplines and showed me how engineers contribute at different levels of a project, which I now carry into my full-time role.

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

Yes, I had an excellent mentor in Erica Norquist, who had a significant influence on my growth. She guided me on how to approach designing an HVAC system and showed me where to look for solutions when I was unsure. She also trained me in core design principles, improved my Revit software skills, and emphasized the importance of clear communication within an engineering environment. Her mentorship gave me both technical confidence and professional development that I still rely on today.

TRANSITION TO FULL TIME

What made you decide to stay with us after graduation? 

Everything I experienced during my co-op made me confident that F&T was the right fit for me when I was looking for a full-time role. The wealth of knowledge among the senior engineers creates an environment of continuous learning and improvement, while the presence of other junior engineers gives me peers to collaborate and grow alongside. Having both experienced mentors and colleagues at my level has created the ideal balance for professional development, which made staying at F&T an easy decision.  

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

My transition from co-op to full-time was very smooth, even though I switched disciplines from HVAC to Plumbing/Fire Protection. I began by working under senior engineers in a structure similar to my co-op, which helped me adjust quickly. Over time, I was gradually given small projects of my own, with guidance from senior engineers to ensure I was supported. As I gained more experience and confidence, I took on larger and more complex projects, which continue to challenge me and expand my knowledge across different system designs  

ADVICE/REFLECTIONS

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

I would recommend that incoming co-ops do their best to always stay engaged and take advantage of every learning opportunity. Working in an engineering firm provides exposure to so many areas beyond your immediate discipline—whether it’s HVAC, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Project Management, or Construction Services. If you find yourself with downtime, I strongly encourage reaching out to colleagues in other departments to learn about their work. Ultimately, the co-op is your chance to explore the industry, gain hands-on experience, and decide whether this is the right career path for you. The more you immerse yourself, the more valuable and well-rounded your experience will be.  

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

My favorite experience during my co-op was sitting in on design meetings, where I was able to observe how decisions were made at the higher levels of a full MEPFP project. Even though I wasn’t directly part of the discussions, getting to watch how different disciplines coordinated, how client needs were addressed, and how the design process unfolded gave me valuable insight into the bigger picture. It helped me understand the impact of engineering work beyond the drawings and showed me how collaboration drives a project forward. 

Want to learn more about our Co-op program or explore other success stories? Click here.