Every year, Degenkolb Engineers invites aspiring structural engineers to join us as interns for the summer. It is a rewarding experience for everyone involved. The interns get a chance to apply what they have learned in school to a real world setting, while our engineers get to pass on their knowledge to those entering the field. This year, all of our interns worked fully remote as we continue working during the Coronavirus pandemic. We wanted to hear how it was going for them, completing an internship without ever setting foot in an office.

This is a compilation of all our intern interviews.

Eden Wong

Where are you attending school and what year are you in?

I just graduated from UC San Diego in June and will be heading to UC Berkeley in the fall for my Master’s.

Why structural engineering?

I’ve always been a curious person that loves asking questions. With structural engineering, I never run out of questions. And, with each mystery I solve, I find myself more and more fascinated by structures. Structural engineering also allows me to exercise creative thinking while making a positive impact in the community.

How did you find out about Degenkolb?

All of my favorite TAs from UCSD work at Degenkolb in various offices. I wanted to surround myself with people like them, that encourage and challenge me to grow as an engineer.

What has your experience so far been like at Degenkolb?

I find myself facing new problems and challenges every day that give me an opportunity to grow. This pushes me out of my comfort zone, but everyone is approachable, patient, and glad to help whenever I have questions. The engineers I’ve worked with are more than happy to spend extra time to pass down their knowledge to me. One of the most enjoyable parts of my internship is hearing about their experiences and lessons learned on other projects.

What does a remote internship look like for you at Degenkolb?

I’m living in my childhood home in Rowland Heights. Working remotely has its perks (like saving me 2 hrs/day on commute time), but I still wish I could meet everyone in-person!

If you could give any future interns advice on how to get the most out of interning with Degenkolb what would it be?

Embrace your curiosity. Dig deeper so that you understand problems and their solutions thoroughly. Ask yourselves and others lots of questions because it’s the best way to learn.

Describe your ideal day off?

Going for an early hike with friends, followed by lunch at WingStop. Stopping for boba on the way home, then spending the rest of the day watching Netflix together. Ending the night with spicy hot pot for dinner.

Lauren Posey

Where are you attending school and what year are you in?

I graduated from UCLA and will be starting my master’s program at UC Berkeley this Fall.

Why structural engineering?

I developed an interest of how things are built from growing up watching my dad take apart and rebuild things, from his cars to sections of our house. I love following a project progress from design to construction, and I enjoy the challenge of new projects.

How did you find out about Degenkolb?

They attended all the UCLA career fairs.

What has your experience so far been like at Degenkolb?

It was difficult at first getting adjusted to a remote internship, but once I realized how eager my coworkers were to help me out through constant messages and phone calls, it became much easier. Everyone constantly checked in to make sure I had enough projects to work on, and they always encouraged me to learn and try new types of projects.

What does a remote internship look like for you at Degenkolb?

Lots of phone calls to ask questions and connect with people!

If you could give any future interns advice on how to get the most out of interning with Degenkolb what would it be?

Reach out to people as much as possible (especially in a remote environment) to ask questions and get to know your coworkers. Try to take on a variety of different projects to learn as much as you can, especially if it’s something you’ve never been exposed to in your coursework.

Describe your ideal day off?

I love to explore new places and exercise. My favorite hobbies are traveling, hiking, and going to the gym!

Valentina Couse-Baker

Where are you attending school and what year are you in?

I got my B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from UC Davis. For Fall 2020, I will be in my last quarter of my M.S. Structural Engineering degree at UC San Diego.

Why structural engineering?

The statics and the principles of structural engineering felt intuitive to me during undergrad and I appreciate being able to see and touch the work I’m doing.

How did you find out about Degenkolb?

I first heard of Degenkolb after engineers from the San Diego office presented for a graduate seminary series at UCSD.

What has your experience so far been like at Degenkolb?

Very friendly and very welcoming. Everyone that I’ve met has been happy to talk about what they do and happy to teach me what I need to know and more. I got to work with programs, like ENERCALC, Risa, and CalcSet, for the first time and got to work on a variety of projects that I have not before.

What does a remote internship look like for you at Degenkolb?

After breakfast, I take a very short commute to the third bedroom (previously dubbed the fish/pet/miscellaneous room, now dubbed “the office” after I took up residence there) where my desk and second monitor is located. After reaching out over Teams to my colleagues and touching base, I’ll spend the day working on a variety of projects from RCN work to Revit drafting to lateral calculations. Depending on the day, I’ll attend a remote “stretch time” where I socialize with the other engineers.

If you could give any future interns advice on how to get the most out of interning with Degenkolb what would it be?

Take notes. Ask questions. Ask yourself if you need that calculation. Ask people about their projects.  The people you’ll be working with have a variety of expertise and interests, each one is happy to let you in on what they do.

Describe your ideal day off?

Autumn/Winter. Its foggy, overcast, slight breeze, and chilly outside. Perfect sweater weather. Ideally raining while I’m cozy inside, but not before I’m able to go for a chilly morning walk to the bakery a few blocks from my apartment. I’ll have previously made plans to see my friends, probably brunch or to play board games or to watch a bad movie, but not something that takes up the entire day. I’ll spend the remainder of the time enjoying not needing to be anywhere.

Skye Yang

Where are you attending school and what year are you in?
I went to UC San Diego for undergrad and will be returning to UC San Diego in the fall for graduate school.

Why structural engineering?
It is because structural engineering is intellectually stimulating to me. I like that it makes tangible impacts to our world and it allows us to build aesthetically pleasing yet practical things.

How did you find out about Degenkolb?
I learned about Degenkolb through a career fair at UCSD. Some of my TAs during my undergrad also interned here for the summer before. I used to see engineering paper with the Degenkolb logo in some of the solutions posted by my TAs for homework assignments.

What has your experience so far been like at Degenkolb?
It has been good. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. They make this challenging internship a lot easier to navigate.

What does a remote internship look like for you at Degenkolb?
In the beginning, it was kind of strange to have no one sitting around me, especially since I don’t know a lot of people, so it kind of makes me feel alone. Then, as I started talking to more people, I feel more connected. Using the remote desktop is also challenging because the connection can get very slow or the connection could break a couple of times in a day, so quite some time during the 8 weeks was spent talking with IS and solving technical issues.

If you could give any future interns advice on how to get the most out of interning with Degenkolb what would it be?
Learn as much as you can and talk to as many people as you can.

Describe your ideal day off?
My ideal day off would involve eating a lot of good food, and I would not have to cook any of the food. It will also involve me getting fruit tea from my favorite boba tea shop. I would like to finish off the day with watching 1-2 movies that I do not have to spend hours picking.

Teagan Allen

Where are you attending school and what year are you in?
I just finished my undergrad in ARCE at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in the spring and I’ll be going back in the fall to start my master’s.

Why structural engineering?
I was always interested in the construction industry, starting with a Bob the Builder obsession when I was five. Eventually I decided I wanted to pursue architecture, but I wanted to do the “math and science” of engineering. I toured Cal Poly and learned about the architectural engineering program, and I realized that’s what I wanted to do all along!

How did you find out about Degenkolb?
I had heard the name around Cal Poly through SEAOC meetings and Structural Forum and I knew Degenkolb was a great firm, so I was very excited when I won the scholarship/internship!

What has your experience so far been like at Degenkolb?
It’s been an awesome learning experience because all the work I’ve done is stuff that I wasn’t taught in school. I’ve been seeing a different side of the industry through construction engineering work, and I know that’s a unique experience I wouldn’t have gotten at another firm.

What does a remote internship look like for you at Degenkolb?
Bouncing between different teams chats, calls, and emails. It got a little lonely at times, but it was fun to see little glimpses into peoples lives through video calls once in a while (I loved seeing people’s pets!).

If you could give any future interns advice on how to get the most out of interning with Degenkolb what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything. Have conversations with people you’re not directly working with. Always be open to learning something new!

Describe your ideal day off?
I love going on short, low stress day trips. I would sleep in a little, eat a small breakfast then drive somewhere with a friend or family member. Eat lunch when we get there, and wander around with no real plans as to where to go or what to do, just doing what looks fun and getting lots of snacks. Take the scenic route back home at sunset.

Claire Killian

Where are you attending school and what year are you in?
I just finished my undergrad at UCLA this June and will be starting my master’s at Stanford this fall!

Why structural engineering?
I actually wanted to be an architect right up until I started college. My high school offered drafting classes using AutoCAD and Revit and I absolutely loved the whole process. When I applied to colleges, I realized I enjoyed the math and physics concepts behind the building process much more than the aesthetics. I chose civil engineering as my major and have not regretted it since!

How did you find out about Degenkolb?
I first heard about Degenkolb through attending UCLA ASCE’s career fairs. I liked that the firm does a lot of work in healthcare, higher education, and tech, so I was excited to apply.

What has your experience so far been like at Degenkolb?
Throughout the summer, I was able to learn so much through the projects I worked on and through interacting with my co-workers. I had the opportunity to work with existing buildings this summer, which was quite interesting since I’ve only worked with new construction before. More often than not, my tasks helped push me out of my undergrad comfort zone to work with nonlinear problems or materials I’ve never had classes in before. I also became more familiar with programs like PERFORM-3D and ETABS; this seemed daunting at first, but everyone is very helpful and friendly in answering any questions that I had.

What does a remote internship look like for you at Degenkolb?
After my obligatory morning coffee, I hop onto the network every day around 8 AM and start wherever I left off the previous day. One benefit of a remote internship is more flexible hours, so I’ve occasionally gone out for runs mid-morning as well. I usually wander downstairs (currently living at my childhood home) a few times a day for food, more coffee, or a nice stretch break. I also meet with my mentors twice a week for lunch and check in with the engineers on my projects as needed.

If you could give any future interns advice on how to get the most out of interning with Degenkolb what would it be?
Ask questions and be opportunistic! As much as working out problems by yourself is a good thing, it’s never necessary to spin your wheels as an intern. Everyone at Degenkolb is very knowledgeable and also very willing to take some time and explain anything that confuses you. Degenkolb does a wide array of work, so be open to trying new types of projects! When I started, they asked if I wanted to be on an analysis project—even though I wasn’t really sure what that even meant, I ended up learning so much about nonlinear analyses and was glad I said yes.

Describe your ideal day off?
I would start with coffee (a must) followed by a morning run, hit the beach with my friends in the afternoon, make some type of dinner that involves warm carbs, and finally watch a movie while eating popcorn.

Sara Ahrens

Where are you attending school and what year are you in?
I recently finished my undergraduate studies in Architectural Engineering at Cal Poly SLO and will be starting my Master’s in Architectural Engineering at SLO this fall.

Why structural engineering?
I truly did not know what I was getting into when I first started college to pursue a degree focused in structural engineering. My first design class and laboratory was Steel Design and while it was an incredible amount of work, I felt so accomplished from the end result. It is especially rewarding to know that the work I put into projects has a real, positive effect on communities.

How did you find out about Degenkolb?
I learned about Degenkolb through Cal Poly’s Structural Forum. After speaking with the Degenkolb representatives, Laura Rice and Matt Barnard, and seeing the broad range of work the company offers, I knew I wanted to intern for the firm.

What has your experience so far been like at Degenkolb?
Everyone in the office has been super nice and incredibly helpful, and although having to work from home meant no face to face interaction, I still felt welcomed. I have been able to participate in a variety of projects including RCN for residential and SPC4D analysis for rural hospitals. Being able to learn about and work on a range of different projects helped make every day of this summer interesting and unique.

What does a remote internship look like for you at Degenkolb?
While it was sad not being able to see the brand-new Sacramento office and meet everyone in person, it has been nice not having to commute downtown. I have a great set up in my at home office, which helped enhance the experience, even at home.

If you could give any future interns advice on how to get the most out of interning with Degenkolb what would it be?
Let your mentor know what types of projects or work you are interested in, especially if it is a topic that you do not traditionally learn about in school. Internships are a great opportunity to explore and learn about different types of work in structural engineering. Degenkolb has a lot to offer in terms of field of work and everyone is incredibly open and nice, so do not be afraid to ask any questions.

Describe your ideal day off?
Sleeping in, going to the beach with friends, watching a movie at the theater, and overall, just being super relaxed and carefree.

Brianna Hartner

Where are you attending school and what year are you in?
I received my Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from Cornell University in 2019 and am currently pursuing my Master’s at UC San Diego with an expected graduation this December.

Why structural engineering?
I have always been interested in the built environment. Since my dad worked as a residential general contractor, I was constantly around construction sites growing up. I loved seeing a house go from a pencil sketch on my dad’s notepad to a finished structure. While I originally thought I wanted to go into architecture, as I progressed through school, I realized how much I enjoyed the problem-solving aspects of engineering. The more I learn about structural engineering, the more I know it’s the perfect fit for me.

How did you find out about Degenkolb?
One of my best friend’s relatives (Chad Closs) works in the San Diego office. He has been a great mentor to me over the last few years and has always spoken so highly of his Degenkolb career.

What has your experience so far been like at Degenkolb?
Everyone has been so welcoming and willing to help me feel like I am a part of the team. I have gotten to work on exciting projects that have exposed me to different design processes and new project areas, all while better developing my design and analysis skills.

What does a remote internship look like for you at Degenkolb?
When I first realized that the entire internship would be virtual, I was a little disappointed as I was really looking forward to working in the office to meet new people and experience a new city. However, working from my childhood home in Kaneohe, Hawaii has been more than satisfactory, even though I chose to start my days at 6AM (to account for the time difference). The engineers and managers I have worked with have made this experience unforgettable and have given me such a good sense of the positive company culture and what it would potentially be like to work there in-person.

If you could give any future interns advice on how to get the most out of interning with Degenkolb what would it be?
Get involved with the in-house committees (such as Sustainability or Diversity & Inclusion) and attend their meetings! It’s a great opportunity to get to know your coworkers and learn more about the company culture!

Describe your ideal day off?
Early morning hike and then enjoy a poke bowl on the beach.

Mauricio Alvarez

Where are you attending school and what year are you in?
I just finished my Bachelor’s at UCSD in June and am now preparing to start my Master’s Program this Fall at UCSD again.

Why structural engineering?
I love that you can never get away from it. No matter where you go, whether it’s the mall, the freeway, or a sporting event, there’s always a structure to be analyzed. I’m not sure how one could be a structural engineer without noticing these things 24/7. It’s everywhere.

How did you find out about Degenkolb?
Upon internship searching my junior and senior years of college, I researched almost every civil/structural engineer firm in the SoCal area. Needless to say, Degenkolb was certainly included in that list.

What has your experience so far been like at Degenkolb?
It has been great. I love how there is a culture that encourages continuing professional development. Working here has really showed me that the learning doesn’t stop after school, it’s really just beginning.

What does a remote internship look like for you at Degenkolb?
Beating the LA commute was definitely a pro. Eating lunch with my family has been nice. Besides that, though, it’s hard to compare a remote internship to one in person. Degenkolb has done a brilliant job though in making sure it has been both a challenging and learning experience for us still.

If you could give any future interns advice on how to get the most out of interning with Degenkolb what would it be?
Ask questions. You will always get you question answered by someone here plus some more additional knowledge.

Describe your ideal day off?
Probably starting the morning off at the beach with some good local coffee for sunrise. Then spending the day at Disneyland with family and friends, and then finishing the night at a concert with my girlfriend. Either that or just having a lazy day with no plans. being super relaxed and carefree.