RP Scholar Joseph Lopez is getting as much experience as he can in preparation for life after graduation.

SOME YOUNG PROFESSIONALS graduate from college, enter the workforce and turn their attention to adding experiences to a resume that will benefit them as their career goes along. 

When Joseph Lopez graduates from San Francisco State University later this year, his resume might actually need a bit of editing.

Throughout his time as an undergraduate, Lopez has gone the extra mile to gain as much experience as he can while pursuing a degree in Engineering. That drive has led to a number of impressive internship placements, and a wealth of knowledge that will give him a serious edge when diving into his first full-time job.

Working ahead has always been an asset for Lopez. He entered San Francisco State with an Associate’s degree already in his pocket thanks to his dual-track classes at Middle College High School. That allowed him to begin taking upper division courses earlier in his college career, and helped establish connections with older peers that have proved beneficial.

“I remember my first semester at SF State, I was taking my differential equations class and there were some upperclassmen there that were also part of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) club,” Lopez said. “They were telling me that where the industry is now in general, before, when you would do your higher education, all you needed was a degree. But now, in STEM, there’s been this change where you need a degree and you need (a certain) amount of experience.

“So, for me, as soon as I started at (SF) State, I ended up joining ASCE and it was really this mindset of helping each other to find experiences knowing that getting the BA is not necessarily enough once you graduate.”

Lopez didn’t wait long to turn that advice into action. He started with a Project Engineer internship at Herrero Builders in Oakland where he assisted with a floor renovation project at UCSF Children’s Hospital in Oakland. As part of the internship, he got an up close look at how a team of architects and engineers works hand in hand with a client — in this case, a hospital — to communicate and execute a complex project.

While his focus is on engineering, Lopez has also made time to reinvest in his own community. His second internship came as a member of the Richmond Promise team as he signed on to work as a Campus Network Leader at SF State. In the role, he helped to plan and host student events, gave presentations on topics like time management and served as a liaison between Richmond Promise and the cohort of Scholars that attend SFSU.

And, establishing that connection with Richmond Promise helped lead to his next role. 

“I wanted something a little more engineering based, so something a little more like what you would traditionally think of when you talk to an engineer,” Lopez said. “So, I was looking for literally anything, and actually, I got an email from Miguel (Molina) telling me that the City of Richmond is looking for an intern for their public works department.”

Lopez applied and was selected to fill a Civil Engineering Student Intern position. There, he worked with the city’s Junior Engineer, Jose Valenzuela, to process permits, review plans, support various capital improvement program (CIP) projects, enforce codes for the sidewalk program, and handle public requests and complaints.

In doing so, he got a glimpse into the critical role engineers play in city government while also serving his community.

“It’s incredibly beneficial for the City of Richmond to have aspiring engineers like (Joseph) choosing to work within their own community,” said Valenzuela. “Not only does it provide them with meaningful, real-world experience, but it also fosters a sense of commitment to improving the city they call home. As they build their careers, they bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a deeper understanding of the community’s needs—helping shape a better future for Richmond.”

In 2024, Lopez also took on engineering-focused internships in Palo Alto and Millbrae, and most recently he rejoined Richmond Promise as a member of the Scholar Advisory Board that advises RP staff on policies and procedures from a Scholar’s perspective. 

It’s a commitment to giving back that is growing more and more common among RP Scholars.

“I’m very grateful for where I’m at right now in terms of (pursuing) higher education and being at such a diverse school,” Lopez said. “I wouldn’t be there without the support that I’ve had from mentors and peers growing up, not only in high school and college, but also even in elementary school. I’m here because of the hard work and effort of other people from my community, so for me, it only makes sense to kind of put that same energy out there.”

As he enters his final year of undergraduate studies and prepares to transition into a Master’s program, Lopez isn’t quite done when it comes to finding new experiences.

“I mean, my childhood dream has always been LEGO,” Lopez said. “If I could get an internship within the next year and a half and work with LEGO like that would be for sure a dream come true for me.”

With his foundation in Richmond and aspirations that extend far and wide, it’s clear that Lopez isn’t done building.