As summer comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back on another great group of interns at Metro Consulting Associates (MCA). Our interns spent the summer gaining hands-on experience, tackling new challenges, and getting a closer look at the industry. Let’s take a look back at some of their favorite moments, projects, and lessons from their time at MCA.
Hunter Earl, Land Surveying Intern
How would you summarize your summer internship with MCA?
It was amazing. I enjoyed my time learning different aspects of surveying while working with my dad on different projects.
What was your favorite part about interning with MCA?
My favorite part was being outside working in the field and doing different activities every day.
What was your favorite project that you worked on?
My favorite projects were locating gas pipelines because it challenged me to figure out how to do so with different equipment.
What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned throughout your internship?
I learned how to work hard and finish the job with all the correct information needed.
Jaden Graham, Field Technician Intern
How would you summarize your summer internship with MCA?
My summer internship experience was very hands-on, which I appreciated a lot. My day-to-day was assisting experienced professionals with restoration projects and asset management projects in Highland Park.
What was your favorite part about interning with MCA?
My favorite part about interning with MCA was the openness and enthusiasm I received from professionals in the field and office, teaching me about the industry. I found it very beneficial to my career.
What was your favorite project that you worked on?
My favorite project is the Broadway Avenue reconstruction project MCA is working on in Muskegon Heights. I appreciate the technical skill it takes to complete a complex project like that; it’s impressive.
What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned throughout your internship?
I think the greatest lesson I learned throughout my internship is the importance of proper documentation: you might not need it right then, but it can help with overall team understanding and help prevent risks, which can make a big difference.
Carter Melonio, CMT Technician Intern
How would you summarize your summer internship with MCA?
My summer internship was very productive. My day-to-day was going to jobs I had scheduled, stopping at the CMT laboratory to drop off or pick up gear, samples, or materials when needed.
What was your favorite part about interning with MCA?
My favorite part of the internship were the people I worked with. Everyone is very helpful and friendly.
What was your favorite project that you worked on?
Although I didn’t have a single favorite project, I found my favorite jobs were either asphalt jobs or smaller concrete jobs.
What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned throughout your internship?
I think the best lesson I’ve learned over the internship is that preparation is key to a productive and efficient workday.
Yusef Muhammad, Field Technician Intern
How would you summarize your summer internship with MCA?
My summer internship with MCA was very versatile because I got experience in both office and field work.
In the office, I spent time reviewing project documents and learned about conduit bores, anodes, and traffic control. I also had the opportunity to work in AutoCAD and create a conduit bore plan for one of the projects, which I worked on for a couple of weeks.
In the field, I took on different tasks, including passing out notices to residents, verifying the location and condition of different assets, completing solar streetlight inspections, and doing restoration inspections. I also had the opportunity to attend project meetings and visit different job sites.
Overall, my internship gave me a good mix of office and field experience and helped me see different sides of the work MCA does.
What was your favorite part about interning with MCA?
My favorite part about interning with MCA was being able to gain experience in the office and the field. I liked the fact that I wasn’t doing the same thing every day.
In the office, I was able to learn more about the planning and preparation that goes into a project, while being in the field allowed me to see the work being completed. Having experience with both helped me better understand how the work done in the office connects to what happens out in the field.
What was your favorite project that you worked on?
My favorite project was the Broadway Avenue Phase 3 project in Muskegon Heights. It was different from the areas and projects I usually worked on, so it gave me a chance to see something new. I was able to visit the site, see the progress being made, and attend meetings where the team discussed what had been completed, current issues, and what needed to happen next.
The meetings were probably the most valuable part for me because they showed me how much communication and coordination goes into a construction project. I got to see engineers, contractors, inspectors, and project managers discuss things like changes in the field, materials, payments, upcoming work, and problems that needed to be solved. It showed me that construction is more than just following a set of plans. Things can change once work begins, and everyone must communicate and work together to keep the project moving. The Broadway Avenue project gave me a better understanding of how a project goes from plans on paper to being built.
What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned throughout your internship?
The greatest lesson I learned during my internship is how important communication is. No matter where you’re working, everyone needs to know what is going on for a project to run smoothly.
One example I learned from was delivering notices to residents. Notices need to be delivered on time, so residents know about upcoming or emergency work and aren’t caught off guard when the crew arrives. I also saw the importance of communication during the Broadway Avenue Phase 3 meetings. If something changed in the field, it had to be communicated to the right people, documented, and agreed on before moving forward.
This internship taught me that being able to communicate clearly is just as important as having technical skills. You can have a good plan, but if the people involved aren’t communicating, it can lead to confusion, delays, and mistakes; that’s something I’ll take with me into my future career.
A big thank you to this year’s interns for being part of the MCA team! We’re proud of the growth they demonstrated throughout the summer, and we wish them continued success
Interested in interning with MCA?
Our internship opportunities span civil engineering, land surveying, materials testing, and more. Reach out to learn about available and upcoming internship opportunities.
