A Glimpse Into the Future

For Chelsea Beittel, going to work with her mother on Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Thursday, was an opportunity to get a peek into the world of environmental science.

Chelsea, a senior at Moorestown High School, decided earlier this year she wanted to study environmental science in college. Going to work with her mom Tina at TTI Environmental exposed her to many different aspects of her potential major.

“I really enjoy science,” she said. “It’s one of my favorite subjects. Environmental science really caught my eye because of my teacher, Ray Kucklinca.”

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day began as Take Our Daughters to Work Day in 1993 by Gloria Steinem and the Ms. Foundation. It was expanded to include boys in 2003.

TTI Environmental, a Moorestown-based company, is an environmental consulting and contracting company. Bill Dolan founded the company 25 years ago. Among the services the company provides are hazardous materials management; asbestos abatement, survey, design and monitoring; lead inspections; mold testing; tank removals and installations and indoor air quality. The company employs about 50 workers.

“At the end of the week, you’ve improved something,” said Dolan. “When we walk away, something is cleaner. It’s a nice thing.”

In addition to working with her mom, the business development assistant, Chelsea also worked with Caitlin McGee, a project scientist, and Kristen Kaeser, a senior project manager. She worked on marketing materials, project management schedules and learning about the social aspect of environmental science.

“I think it’s terrific,” said Dolan of Chelsea spending the day at TTI Environmental. “For students in a decision phase of their life, this can open their eyes a little bit.” 

“It’s a glimpse into my possible future,” said Chelsea. “Seeing the business side, I feel it’s an attainable goal.”

She’ll begin her journey to that goal today, when she registers for classes at Burlington Community College. She hopes to transfer to Arcadia University in two years.

“I think it’s been helpful for Chelsea to see the many approaches to business development and the multiple tasks we juggle during the workday,” Tina said.

According to the Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work website, the program shows boys and girls the value of their education and giving them an opportunity to envision their future and the key to achieving success.

It was that idea that led Chelsea to work with her mom.

“The whole point of coming was to get a feel for what I want to do,” Chelsea said. “This will benefit me by helping me to express and answer questions about my major.”