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Waukesha County

Lead Park Seasonal

April - August 2020 • Waukesha, WI

What I liked

I liked being outside and being able to earn some money during the chaos of COVID. It made me feel like I had a purpose outside of quarantine.

What I wish was different

Well I was planning to do an internship this past but they all got canceled and I had to resort back to my hometown summer job. I wish I would’ve been able to live in DC and pursue an internship that advanced my career.

Advice

You never know how the world will change so it’s important to always keep a backup, even if it’s just to make some money.
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Civil Engineering Intern

May - August 2018 • Waukesha, WI

What I liked

I enjoyed the variety in the projects I was assigned. I had the opportunity to land survey, inspect road paving projects, complete traffic studies, and inspect culverts (among other assignments). Especially with surveying and paving inspection, I found it amazing to see projects fulfilled in the field. Variety in projects keeps work interesting and also helps to well-round you in your knowledge base. With this variety, I felt like I received a truly immersive experience in the transportation field.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more opportunities to work on the core engineering of projects. The majority of the work I did this summer was field work, which I did enjoy. However, I would have liked more chances to see the engineering principles that go into the projects. More opportunities to use calculations and drafting, for example, would have been appreciated.

Advice

Gain experience in multiple facets of your field. My main interest in the field of civil engineering lies in the structural discipline. This internship was mainly the transportation discipline. Even though my primary interest did not lie in transportation, it is incredibly beneficial to see other aspects to your field. It is very helpful to determine if you might want to explore these other areas more deeply, or conversely to solidify that you want to pursue your primary interest. Overall, all experience is good experience. Be open to opportunities such as this and explore your field in a broad manner!
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