Breaking new ground: First-gen college grad Jeremy Necelis aims for PE license
Jeremy Necelis always dreamed of attending Wayne State University, a place deeply connected to his family. His grandfather, Carl (Ed) Craft, Jr., who attended WSU before joining the Air Force, shared a special bond with him — they even had the same birthday. Growing up, Necelis often wore his grandfather's old Wayne State hoodies, and Ed hoped his grandson would one day be a Wayne State student.
Ed passed away while Necelis was in his final year of elementary school. But when Necelis graduated in December with a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Wayne State, he not only fulfilled a lifelong dream but also became the first college graduate in his family, continuing a remarkable journey rooted in determination and passion for structural engineering.
Necelis began his academic career at Edsel Ford High School and later enrolled in the Henry Ford Collegiate Academy, earning an associate degree in CAD/CAM technology from Henry Ford College in 2021. Although he excelled in automotive-focused coursework, Necelis quickly realized his interests lay elsewhere.
“The problem that I was running into was everything that Henry Ford had taught and kind of dictated was automotive focused, and I was not interested in automotive,” he recalled. “Growing up, I always loved playing with Legos and was interested in how things were built. I talked to my advisors about transferring to Wayne State and they directed me into civil engineering.
“When I heard about structural engineering, it just clicked. I wanted to understand how things were designed and built, not just how to draft them.”
During his first year at Wayne State, Necelis explored the various branches of his new major. He solidified his passion for structural engineering through coursework in steel and concrete design as well as an internship with G2 Consulting Group, a construction materials testing company through which he gained valuable field experience.
He credits the university's rigorous curriculum and supportive professors, including Dr. Carol Miller and Dr. Andrew Gruber, for preparing him to excel on the fundamentals of engineering (FE) exam, a crucial step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer.
"Wayne State does an excellent job preparing students to take the FE. There was nothing on the exam that I hadn’t seen in coursework; even classes I took early on like basic physics or mechanics of materials," said Necelis. "The complexity of the problems we tackled in our structural analysis and steel design courses went beyond the FE exam. It made the actual test feel much more manageable."
Necelis spent his entire winter break studying, watching YouTube tutorials and working through practice exams. He scheduled the exam for January, fully committing himself to the challenge. The moment he received his passing results was unforgettable.
“I thought I failed because the test felt so overwhelming,” he admitted. “But I passed — and I screamed in my car when I saw the results.”
After gaining field experience at G2 Consulting Group, Necelis joined SJW Engineering LLC, a small engineering startup, where he progressed from CAD drafting to assisting in complex structural projects, including large-scale timber apartment complexes and steel industrial buildings. What started as a primarily CAD-focused role quickly evolved into engineering work, as he took on tasks such as structural analysis, forensic evaluations and site visits.
“Every day feels like solving a puzzle, and I love it,” he said.
Earning his engineer-in-training (EIT) designation opened doors to job opportunities and set the stage for pursuing his professional engineer license. Seeing firsthand its importance in career advancement, Necelis — who began his full-time role at SJW after graduation — encourages his fellow Warriors to take the FE exam before graduation.
“For students considering the FE exam, I have one piece of advice: take it before you graduate,” he said. “It opens doors, gives you an edge over other candidates and sets you up for future success.”
Motivated by his late grandfather, Necelis reflects on his academic and professional achievements as a tribute to his family. He aims to inspire others to pursue their aspirations and embrace opportunities that challenge and grow their potential.