Interview Prep
● Do research into their company and know what they do that I want to do
● What do I do well that I can contribute to their company
● How is the internship going to be integral to my professional development?
Why do I want to work in this field? My plan?
My motivation for becoming an engineer is to help communities that are impacted by
environmental degradation and climate change. I particularly want to work on water-related
issues as I notice how droughts and pollution negatively affect both people's lives and wildlife in
the West. (Talk about examples of diminishing snow, Utah, Hanford site) So when I examine
career choices, I am drawn to the work surrounding hydrology (water resources management,
wastewater treatment, etc) that can be found in civil/environmental engineering.
Figuring out how I take this route at UW has proven difficult and I bounced significantly
between environmental engineering and civil engineering. However, after talking to students and
engineers in these fields, I have shifted toward the environmental engineering route. UW’s
environmental engineering program simply has more to offer for hydrology than the civil degree.
How will this internship benefit me:
Having an internship would help furnish the foundation of my engineering career. While
my “hard-engineering skills” are still being developed, I have various other abilities (like data
analysis, and presentation/outreach skills) that are integral to being a successful engineer.
Applying these skills in a workplace setting will help mold and bolster what I can do to support
my future work as an engineer.
3+ Major Projects Skillings has done that relate to what I want to do in my career?
● Washington Department of Enterprise Services, Heritage Park Improvements
- Developing a sanitary sewer system and having water be reused from the LOTT
● City of Lacey, Soil and Groundwater Testing
- Determining locations of contamination and remediation plan
● Island County, Dave Mackie Park Stormwater Improvements
- Stormwater system improvements that balance environmental concerns
● MSGS Architects, Olympia School District Buildings
- Designing water pipes and mains that are to code.
Character Qualities:
● Determined and Detail-oriented: I don’t stop until I get the job done, and well
- Have spent multiple Fridays in the chem building for 4 or more hours straight
working on assignments.
- As a musician, I practice 8 to 10 hours a week, and sometimes a day may be
dedicated to a single section because I need it to be pristine and of the highest
quality.
● Leadership and Teamwork: Not just bossing people around, but working with people’s
strengths.
- Effective communication between people and making constant updates
● Time Management: I get my stuff done when it needs to be done.
- Currently Balancing 2 STEM Classes, an English Class, and Musical
Performance
How could I be helpful in these projects?
● Data analysis
- Python (HONORS CHEM SERIES)
- Using graphs to compare data, apply curve fits to examine trends, extrapolation
- Creating methods/functions to spit out numbers.
- Also Strong Java background
● Presentations, informative writing, and outreach (ENGL 182)
- Articulating and communicating important information clearly and concisely.
- Being able to use multiple mediums to enhance understanding and claims
● Handwork
- UW Steel Bridge: Shop-trained and can use angle grinders, band saws, drill
presses, and welders.
- Understand the constraints and limitations of design and what people can do.
- Ever need an extra hand, I’m there.
Classes This Year:
Honors Chem 1X5 Series
Calculus Series
Phys 121 - Mechanics
ENGL 182
Math 207 - Differential Equations
Classes Near Future:
AMATH 352 - Applied Linear Algebra
Statics, Thermodynamics, More Physics, A CSE Class
Core Classes after this.
Questions For Interviewers:
● If they don’t talk about what they do, maybe ask them to find out more.
● Ask what projects they working on right now and/or plan to be working on.
If a yes…
● Who would I be working with? Would there be other interns?
