The Civiltec Internship program continued to evolve in 2021 with the addition of five summer interns, growing from two in 2020. The Civiltec intern experience fosters the next generation of engineering minds by integrating ambition with industry-specific hard and soft skills.

Andrew Shroads, a Principal in the firm and Internship program advisor, aims to expose interns to an array of engineering specialties, including civil design with AutoCAD, a computer-aided design and drafting software program, plan production, surveying, and a variety of civil engineering projects. “Civiltec interns are open-minded, always enthusiastic to learn,” says Andrew. “Projects assigned to interns enable them to expand upon theoretical engineering knowledge taught in school by exposing them to real-world software, concepts, and designs.”

 “AutoCAD is an incredibly underrated class in school. Working at Civiltec, understanding how to draft is essential to designing and engineering,” says 2021 intern Joash Sigamoney. “Soft skills and time management are key. Asking questions and being honest with what you know and don’t know will nearly always determine how quick you can turn a project around.” 

The Civiltec Internship program offers a path to a full-time career, as was the case with Joash, who began the summer as an intern before accepting an offer to work at Civiltec as a full-time Computer-Aided Design Technician in the Monrovia office. As a mid-size company, Civiltec employees have the flexibility to create a diverse portfolio of work while making lasting professional connections with peers of all positions. 

“Civiltec is different from other engineering companies in that we are a small-medium size business, enabling us to connect with one another, even with those in other offices. We create great connections with our clients that are long lasting,” says 2021 intern Miranda Hawes, who has extended her internship through Fall as she balances schoolwork. Miranda returns to Civiltec this year from the 2020 Internship program, which she began as a freshman. “It’s fantastic that this program has reached more ears of those who are intrigued by engineering work and want to gain more experience in the field. I hope that more eager people will join in the following year. Civiltec is very excited to meet new minds.”

Interns have the opportunity to perform site visits with other team members, which Joash says enabled him to see how Civiltec’s work can continue to improve the Southern California community he lives and works in. This positive growth mindset is cultivated by mentorship from senior staff, who view interns as invaluable assets to their teams. 

The Civiltec team is proud to facilitate the growth of ambitious young professionals such as Miranda and to support full-time hires such as Joash. Miranda will be missed as she heads to Mongolia in December to teach English for a year. Civiltec looks forward to meeting the next internship class in 2022!