By Jackie Steinbruch, SHRM-CP, PHR
Each summer, Prein&Newhof welcomes a new group of interns into our offices and project teams. For students, an internship is a chance to take what they have learned in the classroom and see how it applies to real projects. For us, it is an opportunity to introduce future professionals to the work we do and help them better understand where their interests may take them.
As the person who coordinates our summer internship program, one of the most rewarding parts of the experience is watching students grow over the course of a few months. They arrive with different levels of experience and different ideas about what their future careers might look like. By the end of the summer, they have had the chance to work alongside experienced professionals and gain a much clearer picture of the industry.
Our goal is to give interns meaningful exposure to the day-to-day realities of their field. Depending on their role, that may mean assisting with design, spending time on construction sites, or seeing how projects move from plans to finished work. That field experience can be especially valuable for students pursuing civil engineering.
Construction Observation Intern David Clark has spent the past two summers with Prein&Newhof and described how seeing projects built has shaped the way he thinks about engineering:
“Through my summer internship with Prein&Newhof, I have gained valuable experience and knowledge of both the civil engineering and construction industries. Spending all day on the construction site shows you how designs go from drawings to real life. This is the biggest takeaway I’ve gotten from my past two summers interning with P&N, that you have to have an understanding of how the project physically comes to life in the field to successfully design and execute a project well. Knowing how the physical process works makes the designing phase for a project that much easier for not only the engineer, but also the contractor.
I’m inspired to be a part of the civil engineering industry because of the multitude of people that the projects we work on impact. Whether it be new roads, walking paths, or clean water, people are impacted by our work each and every day. Much of the work done is for the greater good of society and less for the self, which is a rewarding feeling when you leave work every day.
My goals for the future are to continue doing work for the greater good of society. If being a civil engineer leads to making positive impacts in our cities, states, or even country, then I know I made the right decision in my career path.”
David’s experience captures much of what we hope students take away from their time here. Seeing how a project is actually built gives future engineers context they can carry back into design work and helps them understand the practical side of decisions made on paper. Internships also give students room to figure out what kind of work they enjoy. Civil engineering covers a wide range of projects and career paths, and real-world experience can make those possibilities feel much more concrete.
Our interns bring plenty to Prein&Newhof as well. Their questions and perspectives are a valuable part of the summer, and our staff always enjoys the opportunity to share what they have learned along the way. At the end of the summer, we hope each intern leaves with useful experience and a clearer sense of where they want to go next. Seeing students like David connect their work to the communities it serves is one of the best parts of the program and a strong reminder of why these opportunities matter.
