MKN values mentorship and hands-on learning to help guide the future generation of industry professionals. Our commitment to creating a work-learning environment through worksite visits and encouraging new ideas and approaches to project solutions allows our interns to take full advantage of their position. Their ability to work alongside leading professionals in their field of interest is a great introduction to their future professional careers.
It is MKN’s goal to exceed our intern’s expectations of support and growth during their time with us. The highest compliments we’ve received from this year’s interns is that they all felt comfortable turning to MKN staff for assistance or guidance, “So many people have extensive knowledge that they are willing to share,” says Civil Intern, Tessa Gallagher. Read on to learn more about three of this year’s interns.
Meet MKN Civil Intern, Tessa Gallagher, who will be graduating in the Spring from the master’s program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Tessa hopes to apply all that she has learned from MKN and her degree to the Bay area’s water engineering industry.
Everyone at MKN is really nice and very helpful. I have enjoyed interning here! So many people have extensive knowledge that they are willing to share, it is great to be able to learn so much. I have gotten great experience on all levels of engineering consulting work from bidding phases to technical reports and construction management. I have learned how to read plans, what professional technical reports are like, and a lot about technical specifications. I really enjoy working on many projects because I have been able to learn a lot from the exposure.
I will be graduating in the Spring with my Master’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and I am hoping to move to the Bay area and work in the water industry. I am very thankful for my time here in the past year and know I will use many of the skills I learned interning in my next job.
Julia Cannon is another accomplished Civil Intern who recently passed her PE Civil Exam in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. Julia is currently in the master’s program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo studying Civil and Environmental Engineering.
MKN has been extremely accommodating/flexible in working around my school schedule each quarter. I have felt supported in continuing in the master’s program at Cal Poly in Civil and Environmental Engineering. This year especially, I have enjoyed being able to see connections to what I am learning in school and real project applications. I’ve enjoyed a great balance of exposure to all kinds of projects, and I always feel comfortable asking questions of the senior staff.
Overall, it is a very positive and encouraging environment! Next quarter I will be completing my comprehensive project and exam for the master’s program, which will be based on the SLO County Shandon CSA16 waterline upgrades project at MKN. I’m looking forward to collaborating with my professors and the MKN staff in this culminating experience.
Lastly, meet Justin Patterson, a Marketing Intern who works alongside our branding and marketing department. Justin will be graduating from Fresno State University in the Spring of next year with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing.
MKN has been a great place to intern for! Everyone at MKN is welcoming and easy to get along with, and there is always someone willing to help. They are extremely flexible with my scheduling and always advise me to keep school as my #1 priority. I enjoy being able to work on a vast number of different projects that allow me to practice with design software and system applications. I am excited to start learning more about proposal development, public outreach, and strategic communication. I feel encouraged by MKN to pursue growth opportunities and lucky to have such support.
Working alongside such interns is a rewarding experience, not just for these young professionals, but for our Senior and Principal Engineers. The opportunity to impact on-the-job skills and knowledge to the next generation is a highlight of our mentorship program.
For more information about internship opportunities, check our careers page.
