Beacon News

Patrick Nolan joined Beacon Consulting Group's New York City office in November 2024 as a Project Engineer. Originally from Ireland, Patrick has a strong background in mechanical engineering and a passion for problem-solving. We recently caught up with Patrick to learn more about him.

Question: Where did you study, and what was your major?

Patrick: I graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Question: Where did you grow up?

Patrick: I was born in London but grew up on the east coast of Ireland in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin.

Question: How did you become interested in studying engineering?

Patrick: I’ve always had a strong curiosity about how things work. If something catches my attention, I can’t get it off my mind until I figure it out. That curiosity naturally led me toward engineering, where I could dive into understanding and solving problems. I also love creating things and learning new skills—whether it’s building something from scratch or tackling a tough challenge. Lastly, I loved Iron Man when I was a kid!

Question: When did you become interested in working in the construction consulting field?

Patrick: As I learned more about the industry’s hands-on nature, I became drawn to construction consulting. My passion for engineering led me to roles where I could combine technical design with practical problem-solving experience. I enjoy seeing projects progress from the initial planning stages to the finished product, while working with teams to solve real-world challenges along the way.

Question: What types of projects have you been helping with so far at Beacon?

Patrick: I’ve been assisting with subcontractor and vendor communications, analyzing project costs and documents, reviewing payment requisitions and change orders, preparing bid packages and project schedules, and organizing project documentation.

Question: Is there any particular aspect of the construction process that you find most interesting?

Patrick: I find the problem-solving aspect the most interesting—especially how challenges arise in real-time and require quick, effective solutions. I enjoy working through these issues with the team, ensuring projects stay on track and meet their goals.

Question: When you’re not working, what do you like to do?

Patrick: I enjoy traveling and exploring new places, whether locally or abroad. I’ve been playing rugby since I was five, and I’m currently playing with NY Rugby Club. I’m a big sports fan in general, so I spend a lot of time watching the Premier League and NFL. I’m also learning to play guitar, which has been a fun challenge, and I love attending live music events whenever I can. Outside of that, I’m always looking for new food spots—it’s a great way to explore the city!

Welcome to the Beacon team, Patrick! We’re excited to have you on board.