He Was a Union Pipefitter. Now He’s a National Scholarship Finalist and Business Founder.
Earning a construction management degree can do more than advance a career—it can expand how professionals lead, innovate and influence their industries. For Autie Ascenzi, a union pipefitter turned entrepreneur and national scholarship finalist, completing his bachelor’s degree in construction management reshaped not only his professional trajectory but also his vision for workforce development and labor policy. Through flexible learning, leadership training and faculty mentorship, he transformed field experience into business ownership, national recognition and a broader platform for impact.
Investing in Himself
“An investment in education is an investment in yourself,” says online construction management program graduate and Truman Scholar finalist Autie Ascenzi.
A union pipefitter by trade, Autie’s original plan for his life did not include earning a bachelor’s degree in construction management, or a bachelor’s degree at all. “I needed to provide for my family,” he says. “And the trades are a great option. I had a wife and my first baby on the way.”
From Job Sites to Big Questions About Labor Policy
As Autie’s career and his family continued to grow, he found himself thinking more about the big picture: public policy and how to make an impact in the world around him. Specifically, Autie began considering how federal labor laws could better protect workers while strengthening the economy.
Autie built his early career traveling the country as a journeyman pipefitter, working on complex projects, including nuclear plant shutdowns. The trades provided stability, strong wages and a clear professional path.
But over time, he noticed patterns.
He saw how job security affected morale. He observed how workplace policies shaped productivity. He began researching “just cause termination” protections, which require legitimate and documented reasons before an employee can be dismissed.
His findings surprised him.
“When people feel secure in their jobs, productivity and profit can increase,” Autie explains. “That’s good for labor and it’s good for business.”
When people feel secure in their jobs, productivity and profit can increase. That’s good for labor and it’s good for business – Autie Ascenzi
The question became: How do you create change at scale?
Why He Chose a Construction Management Degree
To grow skillsets beneficial in both the field and the boardroom, Autie returned to school to pursue an online degree in construction management. The flexibility of Rowan’s program allowed him to continue working full time while supporting his growing family.
Without that flexibility, he says, earning a degree would not have been possible.
At Rowan, Autie studied more than scheduling, estimating and project planning. He learned how leadership shapes organizations.
“A lot of my degree program was centered around leadership,” he says. “You don’t have to be a president or a congressman to be a leader. It’s about putting others before yourself and setting an example.”
That mindset shifted his thinking. Maybe influencing labor law did not require running for office. Maybe leadership could start somewhere closer to home.
Becoming a Truman Scholar Finalist
Autie learned about the Harry S. Truman Scholarship through Rowan’s advising network. The highly prestigious, national scholarship is recognized as the premier scholarship for college students in the United States who intend to pursue careers in public service.
With guidance from faculty mentors, including the University’s Coordinator of National Fellowships and Scholarships, Dr. Seran Schug, Autie began preparing his application. He and Dr. Schug met regularly, refined his policy proposal and practiced interview responses.
“We created goals. We practiced a lot. We zeroed in on what they were going to look for,” he says.
Out of 743 applicants nationwide, Autie advanced as one of 201 finalists. While only 54 ultimately received the scholarship, he considers the experience transformative. The experience of being a finalist is widely recognized as a significant achievement in public service, with many Truman finalist alumni continuing on to high-level careers in policy, law and the nonprofit sector.
“Networking is the main benefit of the competition,” Autie shares. “There can only be one winner, which means the real value is exposure to a community of like-minded individuals.”
Since the competition, he has remained connected with fellow finalists, sharing data, offering resources and collaborating across state lines.
“It’s been as valuable as if I won,” he says.
Launching Specialty Weld Systems
During his Truman interview, one question reframed everything.
“If you want to make these changes, why not start your own company?”
Autie took that challenge seriously.
He founded Specialty Weld Systems with a vision to become a union contractor committed to fair opportunity, strong wages and long-term business performance. His goal is to prove that worker protections and profitability are not opposing forces.
“If you have an educated workforce, they understand why decisions are being made at the business level,” he says. “They become more effective supervisors and leaders in the field.”
According to Autie, Specialty Weld Systems redefines how semiconductor fabs are built. The company specializes in off-site orbital welding and modular fabrication of high-purity stainless-steel gas distribution systems. Their approach reduces cost per weld and minimizes on-site labor demands.
In addition to completing his degree, Autie pursued pitch competitions, entrepreneurship training and angel investment opportunities. He wanted to become, as he puts it, “the executive I wanted to work for.”
Career Outcomes Rooted in Education
Today, Autie stands at the intersection of construction management, entrepreneurship and public policy. His Rowan degree strengthened his technical expertise, sharpened his leadership skills and expanded his professional network.
From earning support through national scholarship advising to connecting with faculty mentors who helped structure his goals, he found guidance when he sought it.
“Some opportunities aren’t obvious,” he says. “You have to want it. You have to go after it.”
Some opportunities after obvious. You have to want it. You have to go after it. – Autie Ascenzi
For professionals in the trades who wonder whether returning to school is worth it, Autie offers simple advice:
“Life is about continuing education and improving yourself. There’s never a better time than right now. An investment in education is an investment in yourself.”
For Autie Ascenzi, that investment has already reshaped his career and positioned him to build change from the ground up.
Why Rowan for Your B.A. in Construction Management Degree?
Rowan’s Construction Management program stands out for its flexibility and strong industry connections. Students can complete their degree entirely online, making it accessible for full-time workers and union members balancing demanding schedules.
Rowan also partners with North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), offering educational opportunities that help union members take the next step in their careers. As Anna explains, “A lot of trades people don’t know where to go to, and Rowan gave them that opportunity.”
As a Top 100 public research institution, the fastest growing public research university in the Northeast and in the Top 10 nationwide, Rowan delivers affordable, high-quality education with direct ties to industry needs. For students like Anna, that means leaving with not just a degree, but with the confidence and preparation to lead.
Alumni Success Stories
Explore how our alumni propel their Rowan University education into lasting success, as highlighted through our alumni success series. From Rowan University student to lifelong member of the Rowan University Alumni Association, Rowan Profs thrive at every stage of their journey. Go Profs!
Header photo courtesy of Lucian Pirvu, Pexels.
Story photos courtesy of Autie Ascenzi