CME students gain real-world experience with internships

Internships are an important part of the learning experience as they bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world work, providing students with the hands-on experience needed to gain a competitive edge in the hiring process.

Over the summer, CME students interned throughout the Chicagoland area, and three of them shared their experiences.

Civil Engineering student Shioban Moran interned with SEECO Consultants, Inc., where she gained hands-on experience in construction materials testing, geotechnical fieldwork, and quality control/quality assurance inspections. Some of her responsibilities included testing concrete, asphalt, and soil at multiple job sites to ensure that project specifications were met. She also had to find solutions to the tests that did not meet specifications and standards.

“One of the main takeaways from this internship was communication. Communication between the engineer, superintendent, and others ensures everything is going smoothly from the plans to the construction sites. Material testing on-site is a very important part of the construction phase of a project,” Moran said.

While the internship challenged her, she was confident that the UIC had prepared her for the work, especially the concrete and soil mechanics courses.

“I directly applied what I learned to the work completed during my internship. From those courses, I was already familiar with the process of material testing. In lab class, although we performed the tests, we did not discuss how they were used in the real world. I found it interesting that these tests were performed and completed on construction sites. It was a full-circle moment, and I’m happy I got the opportunity to apply what I learned in school to the job site,” she said.

Environmental engineering student Steven Frausto further developed his skills by interning at Mackie Consultants, LLC, a full-service consulting engineering firm providing a full array of civil engineering, surveying, and construction services.

Frausto had the opportunity to complete reviews of IDOT contracts and review plan constructability, checking markups for errors or comments regarding construction issues. He used a MicroStation for small design work and visited job sites to verify existing conditions in accordance with contract details.

“I got to see the work that comes before construction: pre-construction engineering. I was exposed to a step that was new to me, and as a result, I’ve become much more well-versed within the world of engineering,” he said.

In addition to his previous internship, he noted that his courses in hydrology and hydraulics prepared him well for the internship.

“My classroom knowledge of infrastructure helped prepare me for analyzing stormwater and sanitary plans,” he said. “UIC’s CME department has helped me grow immensely as a person, not only in an academic sense but also in practical knowledge and personal skills. My professors have all been very passionate in sharing their immense knowledge, and I am extremely grateful for that.”

Civil Engineering student Diana Mendoza honed her skills while interning with H.W. Lochner, where she worked with a variety of teams.

She gained hands-on experience designing ADA-compliant curb ramps, conducted field surveys of stormwater and drainage infrastructure for Downers Grove Township, and worked as a construction inspector for a seven-span pedestrian bridge project.

“I was able to strengthen my skills in MicroStation and Excel while learning how to design ADA-compliant curb ramps. I also gained a better understanding of the different components of a bridge and learned how to read and interpret bridge plans,” she said.

“Additionally, I learned about the six phases of a project and had the opportunity to assist with projects at different phases. This allowed me to gain experience across various stages of the project process and better understand how engineering projects progress from planning and design to completion,” she said.

While she wore many hats during her internship, she was confident she could complete the work successfully thanks to the courses she took at UIC.

“UIC prepared me well for my internship. My classes gave me a strong foundation and a high-level understanding of concepts. I did not go into my internship completely unfamiliar with the work. I already had an idea of what I was working with, which made it easier for my mentors and managers to explain new concepts without having to start from square one,” she said.

In addition to providing the students with real-world experience, the internships gave them a sense of direction and an opportunity to network with future employers.

“It’s very important to have internships. There are many types of jobs in civil engineering, and it’s best to explore them before graduating,” Mendoza said. “It’s also good to get your name out there and make connections with companies during this time, as it will make it much easier to obtain a job after graduating.”