FHS Welcomes Alumni Kirk Rosenbaum
Forreston High School welcomed back Class of 1979 alum Kirk Rosenbaum on March 5th. The extended 80-minute class session, made possible by the WINN week block schedule, allowed Rosenbaum ample time to engage with students in Mr. Stauffer's classes, sharing personal anecdotes and insights from his own high school days.
Rosenbaum's visit offered engineering and physics students a rare opportunity to learn from his 45-year career working all over the world as a mechanical systems engineer. His project portfolio included working with airport terminal buildings, super-tall buildings, hospitals, NFL stadiums, NBA arenas, museums, research laboratories, data centers and many more. Now as the principal engineering manager at Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Rosenbaum captivated students by sharing some of his experience working with a start-up company in Massachusetts to make nuclear fusion power commercially viable.
Students also benefited from his invaluable career advice. Rosenbaum emphasized the importance of soft skills, advising students to "make your boss's life easier" through proactive problem-solving. He stressed the need to embrace change, highlighting the inevitability of evolution in both technology and careers. Rosenbaum's own career journey on an international level served as a compelling example of adaptability and resilience.
"Learn like you will live forever," Rosenbaum urged, advocating for lifelong learning and personal growth. His emphasis on continuous self-improvement underscored the importance of staying relevant in an ever-changing world. Students shared that his visit left a lasting impact, inspiring them to pursue their passions with dedication and perseverance after they graduate from high school. We thank Mr. Rosenbaum for spending time with our students and encourage other alums to be in contact with the school to share their career insights as they feel inspired.