Our firm is proud of our internship program which provides students with the opportunity to work on the same projects as our full-time employees. Internships are a chance to gain hands-on project experience, develop technical skills, and put classroom knowledge into action with the ultimate goal of preparing an individual for a successful career.

To help 2023 interns navigate this transition, we asked our full-time employees who started as interns to share insights and advice on the internship program.

What do You Wish You Had Known When You Started Your Internship?

Dewberry has the resources of a larger company while encouraging different teams and service groups to operate in a way that works best for them. Keep in mind that your resources and network extend far wider than your office location. For example, if you're interested in learning about a service that is not offered in your office, ask your supervisor or mentor point you in the right direction to find out more.

Two things: I wasn't expected to know anything at all and asking questions wasn't going to bother my mentors. I came in thinking that everyone would think I needed to know everything already, when realistically, I had barely scratched the surface on what civil engineering was in school. A lot of what you learn is acquired through experience and repetition.

Everyone is willing to help you! Don't be afraid to engage and ask questions at any level of the organization. Your college doesn't teach what being a consultant means. Pivoting from school to industry can be challenging, but doing it for a summer is eye opening. Absorb what you see, hear, and ask, and volunteer to go to meetings and sites to understand what the industry has to offer. Build strong relationships with your co-workers – you never know how long you'll work with them!

I started during COVID-19 when everyone was doing remote work, but I wish I had made a greater effort to get to know some of my other coworkers. I think that while learning technical aspects of the job is important, building relationships with your colleagues is also important and a great way to build your opportunities within the company.

What Opportunity do You Remember Most Fondly from Your Internship?

During my internship, I worked on many projects at different phases. I really enjoyed getting to witness the design process from start to finish in such a short time through different projects. I recommend to current interns to think of what parts of the design process they may have never seen before and ask their supervisors for the opportunity to get involved in a project that is at that phase.

My favorite memory would be the relationships I formed with my coworkers. The best thing I can say is to join your coworkers for lunch or after-work hangouts. The less formal environment allows you to goof off and relax, which is always great after a stressful day.

I was interested in water. During my internship, I was able to work on designs for a large water booster station and a wastewater treatment plant. I learned so much about how designs are done and how to put together construction documents. For interns looking for a similar experience, I would say, do not be shy. Practice curiosity. Ask to be involved in projects. Show passion for the work.

How did You Navigate the Transition from Intern to Full-time Employee?

I said yes to any type of work and was always excited to work with a new member of my office. Being flexible and willing to help out wherever needed is a great trait in a team member and can also expose you to the different facets of the office and help you figure out where you best fit within the team.

I kept in touch with co-workers while I finished up my last semester of school. And, I tried to get to know many people within my department during my time interning, so that when I returned, I knew familiar faces and didn't need to reintroduce myself. I also made sure to get involved in things I was interested in throughout the company, not just within my department.

I think interning at the same office I accepted a full-time offer at made the transition a lot easier for me. I already knew my coworkers, and some of the tasks I started doing were similar to what I did as an intern. The Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, office was very welcoming both times I started, which made me excited to be there! It was weird not going back to school in the fall after I started full-time, but you get used to it and time seems to go even quicker while working.

What is the One Piece of Career Advice You Would Give to Dewberry’s Intern Class of 2023?

I cannot stress enough to practice curiosity during your internship. Show up. Bring passion. Ask to engage in meaningful work. Learn all you can. Figure out if Dewberry is the right fit for you.

An internship, like any other job, is what you make of it, so if you fully commit to the journey, you will have a more fulfilling experience. The culture at Dewberry is unlike anything I've experienced thus far in my limited experience with jobs, so embrace it, and I promise you will have a great experience. If you have any questions or concerns with what you are doing or learning, speak up, because there is no point in doing something you aren't fully committed to or happy with.

Your attitude and work ethic are so much more important in life than how much you do or don't know.  Asking lots of questions and expressing genuine interest will go a long way.

I cannot stress enough to first-time interns that if you are interested in a specific project you hear about or a specific aspect of engineering, do not be scared to ask to learn more about it. Even if it's sitting in on a client meeting or visiting a site, just ask. I went through some of my schooling during the pandemic, so when I interned, I had never seen a water treatment plant (WTP) in person, and I knew we had several WTP projects going on. I simply asked to visit one and my supervisor made it happen. If they had not known I had never been, there was no guarantee I would get to go. So, just ask!

Be humble, learn, look for opportunities, build strong relationships, put yourself out there, and have fun! This will make the most of an internship and transition to the full-time workplace.

Interested in gaining experience and developing as a young professional? Find Dewberry internship opportunities  here.