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Every summer, workplaces welcome a new wave of eager interns, ready to learn and make their mark. At SEH, we had the privilege of hosting 39 interns, providing them with meaningful experiences that can serve as a launching pad for their careers – preferably right here at SEH!
To provide insight into projects, challenges, and what made SEH unique, we asked our 2023 interns to share their experiences. Here's a glimpse of what some had to say.
Maia Abdellatif
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Major in Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering Intern
What aspects of your internship provided the greatest value?
I had a valuable, impactful, and fun time at SEH. Everyone on the team was very professional and friendly, always willing to help and support in a very encouraging manner.
Can you provide insights into a specific project or task you worked on?
I worked on a state highway project, which included grading, subcuts, pipe extensions, pipe rehabilitation, structural replacement, milling, and resource access point (RAP) overlay.
How did you pursue feedback and seek opportunities for professional development?
SEH was great with time efficiency. During my first week, I received input regarding my inspection diary and how it should be more expressive. I addressed this by being more descriptive and received positive feedback on my progress.
Ian Carter
University of Minnesota Duluth
Major in Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering Intern
What aspects of your internship provided the greatest value?
Having experience in civil engineering before I even started college was incredible! I am thankful to SEH for the connections I made.
How did you pursue feedback and seek opportunities for professional development?
As an intern who had yet to start college, I nurtured my relationship with SEH and my supervisor. If my relationship with SEH continues, that is a step in the right direction towards employment after graduation. When I was on a project, I asked my colleagues about what could be better and found ways to get my work to that level.
Cade Conrad
St. Cloud Technical College
Major in Land Surveying and Civil Engineering
Surveying Intern
What aspects of your internship provided the greatest value?
The most valuable thing I learned was realizing the extent of knowledge not covered in school. There were so many things that I did not know about this industry after one year of school. What I learned this summer will help me during school and in the future.
Selena Cruz
Texas A&M University
Major in Communications
Marketing/Communication Intern
Can you provide insights into a specific project or task you worked on?
I developed a social media platform calendar for our socials, which entailed coordinating with my marketing team and contacting others within the organization to gather information about upcoming events, campaigns, and content. I used my skills to organize and curate a social media calendar, allowing me to showcase my skills and develop a strategic approach to our social platforms.
Did you encounter any challenges, and if so, how did you overcome them?
One challenge was my initial unfamiliarity with engineering and STEM-related concepts. I overcame this challenge by proactively seeking guidance from colleagues. I asked questions and explored online resources to enhance my understanding. Additionally, I established open lines of communication within the team, ensuring I could clarify any uncertainties and address challenges promptly. Through these efforts, I bridged the knowledge gap and contributed effectively.
Did your values align with SEH’s core values?
Yes. Honesty and integrity are at the core of how I conducted myself personally and professionally. I believe in treating others with respect and fostering an inclusive work environment where everyone's contributions are valued. Accountability is a value I upheld, taking ownership of my actions and delivering on my commitments. I contributed positively to the company's culture and goals by aligning my values with SEH's core values.
Zachary Graham
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Major in Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering Intern
What aspects of your internship have provided the greatest value?
Seeing a wide variety of projects helped me better understand how to design infrastructure in a more beneficial manner.
“SEH values teamwork and puts in the extra effort to ensure that things are done right instead of saying something is ‘good enough.’”
How did you pursue feedback and seek opportunities for professional development?
I asked my supervisors and contractors a lot of questions because they had more experience that would be useful for me in the future. It was awesome to see how much more I learned from doing that.
Josiah Haverluk
Bismarck State College
Major in Pre-Engineering Program
Surveying Intern
What aspects of your internship provided the greatest value?
Besides an amazing farmer's tan and the experience I gained from traveling to different job sites and being trusted with $30,000 equipment, the most valuable aspect was being nervous about surveying and deciding to do it.
Did you encounter any challenges, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Walking into an internship knowing nothing about surveying, I kept an open mind and constantly asked questions. I often asked simple questions to form a basic understanding and now have a foundation to build on.
“For me, it is important to balance accountability and confidence while embracing humility, kindness, and being open-minded.”
Did your values align with SEH’s core values?
Yes. I believe everyone should be treated equally, and honesty is the best policy for a successful life. Maintaining a healthy character, positive presence, and nurturing relationships is essential rather than burning bridges.
Rivers Heathman
University of Wisconsin–Platteville
Major in Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering Intern
What aspects of your internship provided the greatest value?
My time at SEH was positive and professional, providing real-world experience. Supervisors curated my internship to include diverse experiences aligned with my career goals. Observing design and construction processes was rewarding, bridging classroom learning with practical application in the professional world.
Can you provide insights into a specific project or task you worked on?
I started a production plan for a municipality sanitary sewer replacement project. I saw the beginning stages of a project and learned about the decisions an engineer makes during the design process.
Carter Legatt
University of North Dakota
Major in Civil Engineering
Survey Intern
What aspects of your internship provided the greatest value?
The workday went fast, and this was a very inviting company. I liked how connected SEH was.
How did you pursue feedback and seek opportunities for professional development?
I consistently questioned the reason behind the way we did things and explored alternative approaches. I also enjoyed brainstorming new ideas to see if they would be feasible.
Maya Linn
Carroll College
Major in Civil Engineering, Environmental Emphasis
Wastewater Engineering Intern
What aspects of your internship provided the greatest value?
I appreciated my team’s effort in getting me out on-site and in the field. They were very supportive and good at ensuring that there was variety in the work that I did.
"Having the flexibility to work from anywhere and knowing I was a valued team member set SEH apart."
Can you provide insights into a specific project or task you worked on?
I updated and completed a hydraulic profile for wastewater flow through the wastewater treatment plant in Seward, Nebraska. Working through that and expressing my excitement about the task, I created a hydraulic profile for Ash River's wastewater treatment process entirely from scratch. There was flexibility in the process, which allowed for some creativity and problem-solving, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Anneke Linser
University of Minnesota Duluth
Major in Civil Engineering
Airport Planning and Design Intern
What aspects of your internship provided the greatest value?
It was great! I enjoyed being in a construction phase from start to finish and seeing a plan come to life. I also liked learning from all the experienced people at SEH and others on the job site.
“My core values aligned with SEH, specifically with accountability. Accountability touched on the other five core values in that we all held each other accountable to act with honesty and integrity, respect everyone we interact with, include everyone, and serve the public and keep them safe.”
How did you pursue feedback and seek opportunities for professional development?
I became more comfortable asking questions. I picked the brains of those with a lot of experience and asked for advice. I learned how important it was to be professional on the job site. We represented SEH everywhere went, so it was important to carry myself well and establish a good rapport with those around me.
Jack Montgomery
Purdue
Major in Finance
Community and Economic Development Intern
What aspects of your internship provided the greatest value?
My internship experience was an incredible learning experience, and I gained knowledge on many aspects of public finance. The most valuable aspect was having great leadership in the office and guidance to ensure I had the best experience possible.
Did you encounter any challenges, and if so, how did you overcome them?
I encountered a few challenges that I had yet to have any experience with. I overcame these challenges by researching past projects similar to mine and reaching out to colleagues in my department for assistance and guidance, ensuring the project was completed correctly and on time.
Owen Murphy
University of Iowa
Major in Environmental Engineering and Philosophy
Water Engineering Intern
What aspects of your internship provided the greatest value?
The most rewarding aspect was when I went into the field to see examples of my internship project and talked with my superiors about the practical nuances of these projects beyond what the text told me.
Did you encounter any challenges, and if so, how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge was admitting that I didn’t understand the material I was given. Thankfully, my supervisors repeatedly clarified that even though they were busy, my work was no less important, and I should ask for clarification as much as I needed.
Caleb Rosenberg
University of North Dakota
Major in Airport Management
Airport Planning and Design Intern
Did you encounter any challenges, and if so, how did you overcome them?
I had no prior experience with Civil 3D and minimal experience with ArcGIS, so I was intimidated getting started on projects right away. There was a feeling of imposter syndrome in the beginning.
“My team encouraged me, answered questions, gave me multiple opportunities to learn and ask questions, and overall made me feel included and a part of the team, which gave me a ton of confidence and helped my growth.”
How did you pursue feedback and seek opportunities for professional development?
I was proactive and reached out to anyone who could help. I talked with my manager about different learning opportunities I wanted to try, and they supported me 100%.
Did your values align with SEH’s core values?
Yes. I joined SEH because they strive to build a better world for all of us, and the company's values aligned with mine. Having an inclusive workplace where everyone felt comfortable and at home was important, and it helped bring in new ideas and perspectives. Being honest and having integrity also helped create a strong foundation for trust and transparent conversations.
Garrett Scheet
Doane University
Major in Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering Intern
Can you provide insights into a specific project or task you worked on?
My favorite project was designing and working on an athletic facility for Crete Public Schools. My college was right down the street from the project, so I got to drive by it every day and see progress.
What, in your opinion, set SEH apart from others in its field?
It was the people I worked with – I met great people.
Jakob Sprague
University of St. Thomas
Major in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Intern
What aspects of your internship provided the greatest value?
My interning experience involved CAD work and recognizing and interpreting building plans. It was incredibly rewarding to use what I learned in the classroom in the field.
Did you encounter any challenges, and if so, how did you overcome them?
The learning curve on newer CAD software was sharp, which led to difficulty in designing what I had in mind. Virtual calls with various Revit veterans around the office helped out dramatically with the learning process.
What, in your opinion, set SEH apart from others in its field?
I believe SEH's “together from anywhere” policy made itself a defining feature of life at SEH. The ability for employees to work from wherever drastically improved work productivity and enjoyment, and it will continue to make SEH stand out from the rest of the industry.
Expressing our gratitude to our interns!
We appreciated the interns who embarked on their career journeys or redefined their paths with us – special thanks to the 15 individuals mentioned above for sharing their valuable insights. Additionally, we acknowledge the 24 interns listed below for their contributions during 2023.
- Jennifer Adade, Environmental Engineering and Scientists
- Clint Bolln, Construction Services
- Sean Carr, Structural Engineering
- Levi Christopherson, Airport Planning and Design
- Kyle Collins, Planning and Development
- Logan Damme, Civil Engineering
- Taylor Douglas, Architecture
- Olivia Heller, Marketing/Communications
- Kenny Hoang, Traffic Engineering
- Wynter Johnson, Survey
- Nicholas Kent, Highway Design
- Barbara Kling, Civil Engineering
- Ella Lang, Traffic Engineering
- Sam Mickelson, Civil Engineering
- Mitchell Miller, Civil Engineering
- Nathan Moors, Civil Engineering
- Anna Paulsen, Highway Design
- Chance Ripley, Civil Engineering
- Evan Rogge, Highway Design
- Kent Smith, Civil Engineering
- Emma-Lyn Stephenson, Highway Design
- Nicholas Steuernagel, Civil Engineering
- Gaige Webb, Civil Engineering
Explore our internships and career opportunities. A promising future awaits in STEM!
Learn about the SEH Pathway to STEM Scholarship Program!