Izzi Bryant, Omaha Engineering Intern

“From a soft skill standpoint, I have been learning about how to communicate with different people, be it other firms, contractors, or our internal teams. The hard skills were a given, but the soft skills surprised me.”

“I have really enjoyed our work activities; they have been great places to get to know coworkers, and they help me feel like a part of the company and the community. Some of my favorite activities are when we get to volunteer. On a more technical side, I greatly enjoy doing 3ds Max and AGi32 work.“

“Know yourself, every company is different, and finding the one for your personality is important. Also, find a firm that has a clear mission guiding their engineering practices.“

Oliver Ticaric, Des Moines Engineering Intern

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WANT TO PURSUE ENGINEERING?

“I’ve always been interested in the relationship between energy and the built environment. Pursuing engineering gave me the opportunity to learn about my interests and explore the science behind designing everything from bearings to power plants.“

“I’ve enjoyed getting to learn my mentor’s process when it comes to overcoming a design challenge. It’s been great to learn which resources and mindset he uses to solve a problem. This has empowered me to try and solve problems on my own, while knowing that I can rely on those around me if I need help.“

“I’d recommend trying to make as many connections as possible. Attending ASHRAE events and talking to other MEP professionals immensely helped me both know what I was looking for in an internship and obtain an internship experience.“

Anna Mattson, Omaha Acoustics Intern

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR INTERNSHIP?

“I really enjoy site visits as it allows me to put my theoretical knowledge into the field, as well as being able to truly see the work that has been done, rather than just seeing it on a plan. It also allows me to get a better idea of how clients are perceiving the work that we are doing and what questions tend to arise.”

“I had a lot of interest in both music and math classes and found that pursuing acoustics and architectural engineering was a great way to blend those two interests. I also have a few other family members who are engineers who both thoroughly enjoy their work and who inspired me to consider a career in engineering.”

“Gain as much practical knowledge as possible. The theory that you learn in class can help you reason your way through things, but it is not representative of what you will be doing in the field. If you are able to take part in clubs that offer hands-on experience or research, it will help you gain a better understanding of what to expect at an internship, as well as provide you with skills that many others may not have gained yet.“

Leo Pechous, Omaha Engineering Intern

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WANT TO PURSUE ENGINEERING?

“When I was in middle school, we took a field trip to the University of Nebraska College of Engineering. It was then that I was inspired by the students in the different programs and witnessed their passion. After that day, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in engineering.”

“During my time at Alvine, I am grateful to have learned more about project initiation and the schematic design (SD) phase of a project, from project narratives to the preliminary layout of electrical spaces.”

“My advice to other students who are interested in the field would be to remain persistent in finding something that they enjoy doing.“

Cameron Sailors, Lincoln Engineering Intern

“A fulfilling career to me is one where I can make the greatest impact I can. That’s why I decided to pursue engineering. I enjoy problem-solving and like knowing that the systems I help design will benefit people for years to come. I knew Alvine was a great fit because they expressed that even though we are engineers, more importantly, we are consultants, and our work is ultimately about serving others.”

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR INTERNSHIP?

“My favorite part of this internship is that I already feel like an employee, not just an intern. That comes from hands-on experience with real projects, collaboration with my teammates and clients, and Alvine’s culture.”

“Alvine emphasizes a culture of continual learning and willingness to teach. Through my internship, I’ve built a strong technical foundation within my specialization. But what stands out most are the numerous opportunities to learn from other disciplines that will help me become a more effective engineer. From one-on-one mentoring and intern learning sessions to client meetings, I’ve also gained valuable soft skills, such as professional communication and independence, that have set me on a path toward becoming a great professional engineer.“

Sergio Estrada, Omaha Engineering Intern

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WANT TO PURSUE ENGINEERING?

“Movies introduced me to engineering with all the dramatized problem-solving, advanced technology, and the use of math/physics. From there, I took engineering classes in high school, where we participated in annual design competitions in architecture, construction, and engineering, with mentoring from industry professionals. That experience, and help from my math/engineering teacher, solidified my interest in engineering.”

“Some technical skills I’ve built interning here are using industry CAD and other software, and reading plans. This includes Revit, AutoCAD, and Revizto for modeling HVAC and plumbing systems; Bluebeam for coordinating issues and fixes on documents; and HAP for load calculations and understanding schedules, details, isometrics, and riser schematics. Some personal skills I’ve improved here are communicating problems and ideas, and prioritizing and managing my tasks.”

“My favorite part of the internship has been the learning and firsthand experience. I’ve learned how the building industry works, the various systems that go into buildings, how site visits are carried out, how an engineering firm operates, and some codes and clearances.“

Anna Smith, Denver Engineering Intern

“Both of my parents have worked as engineers, so they were a definite inspiration to me. I also had excellent calculus and physics teachers in high school who helped me develop a love for math and science.”

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR INTERNSHIP?

“My favorite part of the internship has been the variety of tasks I’ve gotten to do. I’ve particularly enjoyed getting to learn new software and apply that knowledge to current projects.”

“During my internship, I’ve learned how to work in Bluebeam, do thermal load calculations in HAP, and model storm drainage piping in Revit. At the same time, I’ve also grown in communication and time management skills.“

Fernando Villanueva, Omaha IT Intern

“Throughout my internship, I have developed a strong combination of technical and communication skills. On the technical side, I expanded my experience troubleshooting within a Windows environment, supporting engineering applications, and assisting users with a wide range of technology-related issues. I also strengthened my ability to prioritize requests, manage complex issues, and work efficiently.

From a communication standpoint, I learned how important it is to translate technical information into clear, understandable language for nontechnical users. I have also become a better listener by giving users the opportunity to fully explain what they are experiencing and asking thoughtful questions to identify the root cause of an issue. Most importantly, I learned that being responsive, patient, and approachable can be just as important as finding the technical solution.”

“My favorite part of this internship, aside from the knowledge and experience I have gained, has been the people and the work environment. From the moment I started, I felt welcomed and valued as a member of the team. Having supportive coworkers who are willing to answer questions, share their knowledge, and help me grow has made this experience especially meaningful.

Alvine places strong emphasis on company culture, and it is clear that its values of being humble, responsive, and excellent are reflected in the way employees work and treat one another. Being surrounded by such a friendly and encouraging team has made coming to work enjoyable and has shown me the type of workplace culture I hope to be part of throughout my career.“

Jaydon Aguiar, Denver Engineering Intern

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR OTHER STUDENTS LOOKING FOR AN INTERNSHIP IN THE ENGINEERING FIELD?

“The advice I would give other students is not to be discouraged if they don’t understand something right away. There is a lot of stuff to learn, and it all comes with time. There is also a great team that you work with that is always available to help lend a hand or give advice.”

“During my time at Alvine, I have learned to have good communication skills as well as increased experience working with other coworkers.”

“My favorite part of my internship is being able to learn the work and project flow of an engineering company. Taking projects from the schematic design phase all the way to the construction documents and everything in between.“