Find out what to expect from an internship with Arcadis from our most recent class of interns.
Will I work on real client projects? Will the knowledge I’ve gained from classes so far be enough? Will I gain experience that can help me choose a career path?
These questions, and more, often run through college students’ minds when looking for an internship at an AEC (architecture, engineering, consulting) firm. We talked to several of our most recent interns about their experience doing an internship at Arcadis. Each intern had a unique experience – based in offices across the United States from California to Chicago to Virginia Beach and concentrated on a variety of projects within environmental, infrastructure and water focus areas.
Check out their answers below about what they found valuable while interning at Arcadis!
How did you leverage your education and coursework during your internship?
Ana Baez-Gotay: This internship confirmed why I like my major so much. Courses like intro to environmental engineering, water resources, and technical writing had so much to do with my internship. I was constantly encouraged to ask questions and that’s how I learned the most. After my internship with Arcadis, I decided to declare a minor in engineering management because I liked what I did so much that I want to continue educating myself in the management side of engineering.
GILBERT BAHATI: During my internship, my work mainly focused on coding in Python, which is a skill I learned from my coursework. Skills gained from my project management and structural engineering classes were helpful too.
KYLIE MELODICK: While I had vaguely learned some of the general business concepts around environmental, health and safety in school, I learned a majority of the technical aspects on the job. Although, I did find myself using my knowledge of environmental science and engineering to understand the background of an environment management information system (EMIS) like what data is needed, how the data is translated and measured, and what the client is looking to understand from the data.
ERVIN WHITFIELD: My internship at Arcadis has been a necessary component in my education. It has helped me decide what field of civil engineering I would like to move towards. This internship has helped me to grow, expand my learning curve and understand what else I’d like to learn as my career as a civil engineer progresses, like additional construction management and project management education.
What was your favorite part of your internship?
Ana Baez-Gotay: My favorite part of the internship was all the mentors I gained. My teammates at the White Plains, New York, office encouraged me daily to work hard and to keep learning. I was given so much responsibility in such a short amount of time that it made my experience unforgettable.
GILBERT BAHATI: I really enjoyed interacting with the amazing people at the office. I was mentored by wonderful engineers and scientists who were very supportive throughout the entire internship. The outdoor social events also enriched my experience.
KYLIE MELODICK: I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to meet with a client in person that I had been working with virtually and be a representative for Arcadis. I found the opportunity a fantastic learning experience, and it was great to have the trust of the team behind me. I found my team to be a great group of people who were passionate and well-versed in what they do, and I really enjoyed learning from them.
Amina Rahill-Marier: My favorite part of my internship was my team. Everyone on the team contributed a unique skillset to our group, and we were able to cater to each other's strengths. Furthermore, Roni Dietz's mentorship was invaluable – she made sure I got to explore the full range of responsibilities in our profession, such as community engagement and proposal writing, which are not (and often cannot be) taught in school. All in all, I learned something new each day and that's what was most important to me.
AUSTIN RAMM: My favorite part of my internship was giving a presentation on my summer experience with Arcadis. I was initially supposed to present to only my office but Alex Rothchild, the president of Arcadis’ environmental practice, made a surprise visit to the office and sat in on my presentation. Though the nerves were high during the presentation, I was extremely fortunate for the opportunity and it will forever be the highlight of my internship experience.
ERVIN WHITFIELD: My favorite part about my internship was being able to go to the project site and see the progression of what I worked on in the field office. It really helps to see what is happening on the project site because what worked on paper didn’t always work at the actual site. Also, everything that I’ve learned during my internship has truly translated to classes that I’ve taken so far in college.
What was one thing you learned about Arcadis during your internship that had a strong impact on you?
Ana Baez-Gotay: One thing I learned about Arcadis is the importance of teamwork. Everyone is constantly there to help each other out. This showed the company’s values and is something that had a significant impact in my experience. From vice presidents to the receptionist, everyone was helpful no matter how much they had on their plate. Another thing I learned was that they invest in their employees’ professional growth. With programs such as Global Shapers and Expedition DNA, Arcadis makes sure their employees have the opportunity to connect and continue learning valuable skillsets.
GILBERT BAHATI: Arcadis is AMAZING. Arcadis definitely offers an opportunity to grow career-wise and provides an inclusive space for personal success and fulfillment. Both the work-life balance I had the privilege of experiencing and the leadership skills I developed greatly impacted my life.
Amina Rahill-Marier: Arcadis' focus on people has impacted me the most -- the firm cares both about the people it works for and the people who work for it. I was specifically impacted by the care we take to listen to communities where our projects will be implemented. This active listening was an aspect of civil engineering that I had never learned in school. After two summers at Arcadis, it's now something I actively try to discuss in classes and with others in the industry.
AUSTIN RAMM: The most important thing I learned about Arcadis during my internship was the vast network of support and knowledge I could get as a young employee. This support was present in the structure of the company with programs and events aimed at younger staff to facilitate growth in my career, as well as in the senior-level employees who were always there to answer my questions and bring me aboard projects that I was interested in.
