Wentworth Institute of Technology builds careers

At 51, Peter Gugliotta has "had a lot of jobs." Trained in interior design and architecture, he worked for a variety of engineering and facilities management firms, and it was during this time that he noticed a common characteristic in the colleagues he most respected: They were all alumni of Boston's Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT).

"I was impressed with their confidence, know-how, and skills," says Gugliotta. Today, Gugliotta is not only a Wentworth student, but also an employee of 17 years. Assistant director of the school's planning and construction department, Gugliotta has worked on several interesting projects, including the renovation of a historic campus auditorium built in 1927 and the construction of two new dormitories. Along the way, he also decided to pursue his bachelor's degree nights and weekends.

"I feel like I've been learning my whole career," says Gugliotta from Raymond, N.H., who is slated to earn his Bachelor of Science in project management with a specialization in construction and design in fall 2008.

What has kept him going all these years? Gugliotta credits the professors in the school's Division of Professional and Continuing Studies.

"They are really into what they're teaching," he says. "You can always feel their enthusiasm for the subject, and that makes all the difference. It's inspiring."