As summer hits its stride, Degenkolb Engineers and Ruby+Associates, a Degenkolb Company, are proud to welcome our largest class of structural engineering interns yet. Spanning offices from the West Coast to Michigan, this talented group brings strong academic foundations and a passion for applying their skills to real-world challenges.
Throughout the summer, our interns have worked alongside project teams on active jobs—both in the field and the office—gaining hands-on experience and insight into the structural engineering profession. From technical tasks to team collaboration and professional development, they’ve gotten a true sense of what it’s like to work in the industry.
Read on to meet each intern, learn about their backgrounds, and hear their reflections as they wrap up their time with us.
Meet Our 2025 Summer Interns
(alphabetized by last name)
Name: Taha Ahmed
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Office: Sacramento
Where are you in your educational journey?
I just graduated from University of California, Los Angeles undergrad and will be going back there for my master’s.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I was motivated by my friends and recruiters at the career fair, who emphasized the quality of the services that Degenkolb provides, which made me very interested in applying for the internship program. I am interested in structural engineering regardless and working at a company that provides direct project experience and has an excellent reputation for their great working environment and quality products is exactly what I was looking for.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
So far, I have done some NPC work for a few projects, some SPC work for wood lateral design, some existing analysis and new steel superstructure design, and I’ve been on many site visits with one different type of visit with the RCN team.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
I think the idea that anything in the built environment acts like a structure opened my eyes to the world of possibility that structural engineering is. It expands the type of work that is available, and the amount of solution options for something that might seem typical. That variety and feeling of success in looking at your tangible work is why structural engineering is so interesting to me.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
My biggest advice is that Engineering Managers and Project Managers can get busy with their own work so always seek out opportunities yourself when you feel like you are becoming light and communicate it well. I would make sure to ask questions all the time to get the most out of this opportune learning experience and ask others in the office about their professional experiences so you can get a feel for what your own future might look like.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
Outside of academics I play soccer, I am attempting to get into rock climbing, I like to build combat robots, and I also like to paint shoes.
Name: Laura L. Constain-Montoya
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan / Bogota, Colombia
Office: Detroit
Where are you in your educational journey?
PhD Candidate (third year) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
As a PhD candidate who is looking to work in the industry, I was searching for a structural company in the Ann Arbor/Detroit area that would be a great place to work and that would be a place that could complement my research.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I’ve been involved in a project in which I was able to model in RISA, design connections, and work in Revit tagging connection codes for shop drawings.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
I had worked as a structural engineer for many years in Colombia and I wanted to continue my career as a structural engineer here in the United States. I wanted to get more experience and get my PE.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
The best advice I can give is to be proactive and ask as many questions as possible during the internship. This is the best way to learn and meet people.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I love to spend time with my kid; we like to do outdoor activities and spend time with friends. As a Latina, I also love to dance.
Name: Bricio Estrada Hernández
Hometown: Guadalajara, México
Office: Sacramento
Where are you in your educational journey?
Second year of master’s in Structural Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I applied because Degenkolb is one of the best structural engineering companies and has over 80 years of experience.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I’ve been working on the NPC Above-Ceiling reports for nine different campuses, peer reviewing the X-Bracing module of CalcSet and comparing it with AISC 341 design examples, NPC4D update guide (contributing with the use of view templates), allowing the use of eccentricities for fastener patterns on AnchorPro, UCDH MTCAR Report, etc.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
What drives me is that I am very aware on how important structural engineering is in seismically active zones like California and Mexico, because I experienced myself the M 8.2 2017 Mexico earthquake that caused devastating consequences with huge destructive power. That keeps me motivated to eventually contribute to the construction and structural engineering industry.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
If you have the opportunity, go for it. Ask as many questions as you can and be very engaged in whatever it is that you’re working on. No one is going to assume that you know everything because no one does. Try to understand why this is done this way and why that is done the other way. Just keep asking!
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I really like classic cars, Formula 1, and road trips.
Name: Tiffany Fu
Hometown: Cupertino, CA
Office: San Francisco
Where are you in your educational journey?
Starting my master’s at University of California, Los Angeles, after recently graduating with a bachelor’s from Arizona State University.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I was looking for more real-world experience before grad school, and Degenkolb seemed to have good projects and a nice office environment.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I have primarily been working on seismic evaluations on existing buildings for the VA. I also briefly helped the ATT group with extracting SidePlate data from previous projects and have been working on miscellaneous anchorage tasks for Science & Technology clients and University of California, San Francisco.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
I went into engineering because I enjoyed building and finding logical solutions. Now I get to problem-solve while making a positive impact on our community and haven’t looked back since.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
Ask questions! Everyone around the office is more than happy to help.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I enjoy basketball, building miniature models, and spending time with family and friends.
Name: Dana Johnson
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Office: Oakland
Where are you in your educational journey?
I am doing a 4+1 program at Santa Clara University. I’m currently in my master’s studying Civil Engineering.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
In a structural steel course I took, my professor took us to the San Francisco office to present our final projects. I was incredibly nervous, but the positive environment made it such a great experience! I just knew I had to give my resume that same day. I was fairly familiar with the kind of projects Degenkolb does, and was particularly interested in the Forensics practice area, but the people are what made me take that next step to apply.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I’ve worked on a few reconstruction projects, a foundation for a hospital, stairs for University of California, Santa Cruz Interdisciplinary Instruction and Research Building (IIRB), and a chiller structure for a San Francisco Bay Area medical center.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
Growing up, I watched a lot of home improvement shows on HGTV. There were so many episodes where they’d accidentally demolish a load-bearing wall, and I would sit in my living room wondering what made that wall so special. As a Lincoln Log enthusiast, finding the answers to these kinds of questions excited me. That same curiosity to understand the structures I interact with daily keep structural engineering fun and interesting to me.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
I’d definitely advise future interns to be vocal! That means asking all kinds of questions. Be curious not only about your work, but about the functions of the company, people’s journeys to where they are, and learn all you can. It’s a pretty unique experience to have so much structured guidance by people in all career points.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I love to braid my hair when I have some free time! I’m also always down for a hike. Mount Tam is easily my favorite place to be.
Name: Eden Kim
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Office: Orange County
Where are you in your educational journey?
I am currently a master’s student in Structural Engineering at University of California, San Diego.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I was inspired to apply to Degenkolb after hearing some principals speak at UCSD seminars. Their passion and expertise motivated me to seek the opportunity to work alongside well-respected professionals.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I have been assisting with document research for Nonstructural Performance Category (NPC) 4D upgrade for various hospitals. I’ve also contributed to designing temporary shoring for a hospital construction project.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
I’ve always wanted to understand the mechanisms behind beautiful architecture and be part of the team that brings it to life.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
Ask questions and take initiatives to grow. Stay open to learning from every experience from technical to nontechnical skills.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I enjoy hiking, finding new music (currently exploring bossa nova), and taking field trips around cities and seeing cool structures.
Name: Kyoungyeon (Yeon) Lee
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Office: San Diego
Where are you in your educational journey?
Ph.D. Student at University of California, San Diego
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I applied to the Degenkolb summer internship to gain real-world experience and see how the concepts I’ve learned in school are applied to structural engineering projects in the industry.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I worked on a variety of projects involving different structural systems. One project was the seismic retrofit of an existing masonry theater, where I assisted with nonlinear static pushover analysis in accordance with ASCE 41-23. Another major project was the retrofit of a hospital, where my task was to design steel braces for the penthouse while accounting for the existing locations of mechanical units. In addition, I evaluated a few other buildings to determine whether the existing structures could accommodate additional loads.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
During my undergraduate studies in Architecture, I became fascinated by the innovative ways different structural systems resist lateral loads such as wind and earthquakes. This interest led me to pursue a master’s degree in Structural Engineering, and now, as a Ph.D. student, I enjoy developing innovative structural design solutions that resist loads both efficiently and effectively.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
I would advise reviewing lecture notes from classes because they were more helpful than I expected. Also, if you get stuck on a task, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Everyone is so sweet and willing to help.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
Outside of work, I enjoy listening to and playing music. I also like playing badminton and walking around malls with a coffee or boba.
Name: Will Newhoff
Hometown: Daly City, CA
Office: San Francisco
Where are you in your educational journey?
I completed my B.S. in Civil Engineering at Gonzaga University in 2024 and started my M.S. in Structural Engineering at Stanford University that fall. I’ll be finishing up my master’s in March 2026.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I learned about Degenkolb through speaking with two Degenkolb engineers who praised the firm’s culture, attending a Degenkolb presentation at Stanford’s EERI Speaker Series, and hearing positive feedback from two classmates who interned here last summer – all of which motivated me to apply.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I have primarily been working on ASCE 41 Tier 1 and Tier 2 seismic evaluations for four different structures. One of the buildings was a one-story unreinforced masonry (URM) building, which gave me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of URM and its considerations in seismic retrofits. For that project, I went on a site visit and took detailed measurements throughout the building, as we did not have access to structural drawings. Another building I investigated required reading through the 1946 AISC Steel Construction Manual, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
During my freshman year at Gonzaga, I connected with a structural engineering professor who inspired me to pursue civil engineering with the goal of becoming a structural engineer. I later worked as his research assistant for two years, and he has continued to be an incredible mentor, shaping my development as a structural engineer. Now, I’m driven by idea of working in a profession that continually challenges me to learn and grow. In structural engineering, no matter how much experience you have, there’s always a new problem to solve, a more efficient solution to discover, or a fresh perspective to gain. This constant evolution of our field is what excites me most.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
Be proactive in building relationships and learning from others – seek mentorship from the engineers in your office, even those you aren’t directly working with, and stay curious by asking questions!
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I’m a nationally ranked Rubik’s Cube speedsolver and have competed in four U.S. National Championships. I’m also a huge Giants fan and overall baseball fanatic. I love exploring new hobbies, and I’ve picked up many over the years, including bowling (personal best is 298!), baking, chess, piano, oil painting, disc golf, ping pong, and pickleball.
Name: Harold Nguyen
Hometown: Portland, OR
Office: Seattle
Where are you in your educational journey?
I graduated from Seattle University in June 2025 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. This upcoming fall, I will start my next chapter at the University of Washington for my Master’s in Structural Engineering and Mechanics.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
With the guidance of my advisors and mentors at Seattle University, I applied for this internship to gain a deeper understanding of the different sectors within structural engineering and to become more familiar with the areas that may interest me.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I have been deeply involved in the K–12 sector, contributing to projects for local schools along the Washington coast. Throughout these projects, I worked on the design of exterior wind support elements and assisted with the layout and design of braced frames. In addition, I contributed to research and analysis on roof framing for reconstruction work.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
I got into structural engineering because I was fascinated by the concept of seeing the physical work produced through design and collaboration. My passion continues to grow as I see the impact these buildings have on the communities I serve, making the work fulfilling.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
A piece of advice I would give to future interns is not to hesitate to ask questions, even if the answer might seem obvious. It is far better to voice a lingering question and have it answered than to remain uncertain.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
Outside of engineering and academics, I enjoy golfing, hanging out with my two cats, and spending time with my family and friends. I love staying active through hiking, snowboarding, camping, and working out.
Name: Ramon Olgin
Hometown: Stockton, CA
Office: Sacramento
Where are you in your educational journey?
I’m currently doing my undergrad at Sacramento State with plans to continue there for my master’s.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I was recommended to apply by my Structures professor, who has continually encouraged me when I’ve doubted myself.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I’ve mostly worked on equipment anchorage calculations and also dabbled in drafting. And for my last few weeks, I’ve gotten to work on preparing an MTCAP report, including picking the verification locations on the plan. I’m also working on checking the capacities for a steel moment frame in that facility.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
I always loved building with LEGO as a kid, and I always challenged myself to build the largest 2-story building I could without any interior columns or walls to hold up the second story. That made me interested in structural engineering originally, and now I find myself fascinated by all the checks that need to be done to ensure a structure is safe for human life, especially when it comes to resistance to earthquake motion.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
If you find yourself curious about any type of work the company does, please ask to try it! I was able to try out drafting because I asked if I could, and everyone involved was more than happy to teach me about it and give me the chance to draft a few details. Whatever you ask to try, you might find it interesting, and you might not, but you’ll definitely have a better idea of what it is you want to do with your career!
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I love building LEGO sets, reading sci-fi and fantasy, designing and 3D printing solutions to various problems I have, painting 3D models, and writing stories.
Name: Haley Pilcher
Hometown: Salinas, CA
Office: Orange County
Where are you in your educational journey?
I received my bachelor’s in architectural engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and I am going to the University of California, San Diego, in the fall to get my master’s degree.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
Degenkolb is a leading firm in the industry and has been very involved in organizations I have been apart of such as EERI. What really stuck out to me was their involvement with post-earthquake reconnaissance and retro fit work
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
Over the summer I have worked mostly in healthcare investigating hospitals for nonstructural components to help aid in the submittal of a report to HCAI. As well as doing an elevator splice and rail check calculation that utilized RISA 2D. I have also worked on a construction engineering project where I have worked to develop an Excel spreadsheet that does the calculations for multiple typical details.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
I have always been fascinated by beautiful architecture and remarkable skyscrapers. Just like many structural engineers I was inspired by mediums such as LEGO and Minecraft. When it came down to it I felt like structural engineering was the perfect mixture of logic and creativity. I am continuously inspired by this profession because of the countless lives that are saved every day. There is an importance to every calculation that we do.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
You may feel like there is so much that you do not know but just think that everyone must start somewhere and many people were once in the same boat as you.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
Outside of the world of engineering, I love to bake anything from brownies to cinnamon rolls. If I’m not baking it up in the kitchen, I’m outside playing pickleball with friends or exploring new beaches.
Name: Olivia Pinto
Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA
Office: Oakland
Where are you in your educational journey?
I am a student at Stanford University in the middle of getting my master’s degree in structural engineering. I got my bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2024.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I applied to the internship at Degenkolb because I wanted to learn more about structural engineering and how it applies to building design. I heard from others that Degenkolb was a great company to work for, so I felt very lucky when I was offered an internship position.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I did a little bit of NPC work and anchorage design at the beginning of the summer. Now I am working on a nonlinear project for an internal comparison study. I am also doing a little bit of forensics and RCN work.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
I first became interested in structural engineering because I wanted to learn more about what happens behind the scenes of construction projects. I am driven by all the people that are helped by the work we do, especially in healthcare.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
Take a part in everything that is offered to you. Yes, an internship is helpful to learn technical skills, but it is also a chance to learn about Degenkolb as a company too! Whether it is the meetings held at lunch or events after work, this is your opportunity to learn more about your fellow Degenkolbers.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
In my free time, I like to be active, whether it is going to work out classes at my gym, hiking, or running. I also like baking, reading, and hanging out with my friends.
Name: Abby Price
Hometown: Saranac, Michigan
Office: Grand Rapids
Where are you in your educational journey?
I’m currently studying at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where I just graduated with my bachelor’s degree, I’ll be pursuing my master’s in engineering this year.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I found a job posting through LinkedIn and thought the scope of work sounded interesting and like a great learning experience. I hadn’t done much work with steel yet, so this seemed like a good way to gain some practical knowledge of it. I was also hoping to live at home this summer, so this was a great opportunity!
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I’ve helped with a variety of projects such as heavy lifts, connection design, precast bracing, steel bracing, load development, and various modeling in Revit and Risa.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
I had a good professor for an Intro to Structural Engineering class, so I continued to take more structural classes. I also like knowing that my work will help better peoples’ lives. I’ve continued to be interested in structural engineering because of the variation of work, I never get tired of doing the same thing because the work is constantly changing.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
Be prepared to ask questions and learn. Everyone’s happy to answer questions and help develop you as an engineer, and the scope of the firm’s work isn’t really taught in school so take advantage of this learning opportunity!
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I enjoy running, reading, and camping/hiking when I have the time to do it!
Name: Marco Rodriguez
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Office: Los Angeles
Where are you in your educational journey?
I just graduated from University of California, Los Angeles, with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and I will be returning there for my master’s in Civil/Structural Engineering.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I was exposed to Degenkolb through friends and career fairs. After researching the company, I felt like it was a place where I could learn and grow.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I’ve been working on a few hospital NPC projects as well as assisting with the construction of a typical NPC detail library. I have also been assisting the progress of software models for the expansion of a hospital.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
I gradually became more interested in structural engineering through high school and college, especially through my coursework, projects, and internships. I saw it as a respectable profession with good goals as well as being technically challenging.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
Stay organized with your work and questions. You should be able to neatly present your hypotheses and questions to make it as easy as possible for others to help you (and help yourself).
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I enjoy going to the gym, playing sports, cooking, being an unpaid food critic, reading, playing videogames, and traveling.
Name: Marco Rodriguez
Hometown: San Quintín, Baja California, Mexico
Office: Los Angeles
Where are you in your educational journey?
I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Structural and Earthquake Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I was motivated to apply for a summer internship for three main reasons. First, the firm’s reputation as a leader in structural and earthquake engineering makes it an ideal place to grow professionally. Second, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Jim Malley and Insung Kim on an Applied Technology Council (ATC) project, and their expertise inspired me to want to be part of the team. Finally, my classmate Kamiar, who works at Degenkolb, shared very positive experiences about the company.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I contributed to the preliminary design phase of a new hospital, where buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) were selected as the lateral force-resisting system. I also worked on two retrofit projects: one based on linear analysis, and another more complex nonlinear analysis involving retrofit using CFRP for shear strengthening and CFRP confinement to improve ductility.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
My interest in structural engineering, particularly in seismic retrofit, was sparked by witnessing the extensive damage caused by the 2017 Puebla earthquake in Mexico. What continues to drive my passion is the opportunity to make a tangible impact by developing retrofit solutions that not only protect lives but also help communities remain resilient after earthquakes.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
I’d recommend future interns to get involved in office events, ask questions freely, and take advantage of the resources on Degnet, especially the technical guides, project examples, and learning materials, which are extremely helpful for understanding Degenkolb’s engineering practice.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I love any kind of extreme sport, like skydiving, bungee jumping, and paragliding. I also enjoy riding motorcycles and running.
Name: Molly Rojec
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Office: San Diego
Where are you in your educational journey?
I just completed my undergraduate degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and will be pursuing my master’s degree back there this fall.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
Degenkolb’s reputation of innovative seismic design in larger projects drew me in as well as the fun, supportive company culture and aligned values.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I’ve been working on steel frames, trusses, screen walls, and foundations for a new hospital building and an excavation/shoring project for a hospital site. These involve making RISA models, creating Excel spreadsheets, and doing hand calculations. Additionally, I’ve done some NPC work in Revit.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
I really love that a career in structural engineering is a life of altruism using math, physics, and creative design. I’ve also found this industry to be full of kind, supportive people who make the work even better.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
Be curious about every task you’re given. Learn why things are done and how it all fits into the bigger picture, it gives meaning behind the numbers.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I enjoy skiing, hiking, laying in the sun, and spending time with friends and family.
Name: Ryan Solomon
Hometown: Tustin, CA
Office: Los Angeles
Where are you in your educational journey?
I just graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and I am attending the University of California, Berkeley, for my Master’s in Structural Engineering.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I attended an office visit to the Los Angeles office held by the UCLA ASCE chapter where we were given an office tour and presentation on the company. I was really impressed by the projects Degenkolb worked on, especially in healthcare, which inspired me to apply.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I have had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of engaging projects this summer. In particular, I have used ASCE 41 to assess the strength of existing shear walls and diaphragms in a local hospital, modeled a staircase expansion part of a new hospital wing using RISA 3D, and produced as-builts to capture existing conditions of elevator supports in order to evaluate potential retrofits.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
Structural engineering really stood out to me because it is a field that allows me to think critically and analytically to develop infrastructure that benefits people and communities. With Degenkolb working on large amounts of healthcare projects, it is easy to be passionate about my work since I can really see its positive impact.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
You will be amazed at how quickly the internship goes by so make sure to maximize what you learn by asking a ton of questions and taking notes. There are many industry leaders and innovators at Degenkolb who are happy to share their engineering expertise and give career guidance so make sure to make the most of it.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I really enjoy rock climbing indoors in gyms and especially outside on real rock. I also really like running, hiking, reading, and finding cool restaurants.
Name: Lilla Vigh
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
Office: Seattle
Where are you in your educational journey?
I am going to be a second-year structural engineering master’s student at Stanford University.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I had an amazing internship with Degenkolb Seattle last summer and decided to return for a second internship!
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
I evaluated a lateral system for a medical facility on the Washington coast, assessed an existing structure for impact loads within the construction engineering practice area, and assisted with the gravity schematic design for a new school. I also had the opportunity to collaborate with the Oakland office on designing retaining walls for a hospital.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
Every day has new challenges, and I enjoy working with a team to come up with solutions. The office is very collaborative, and I love seeing our engineered solutions come to life.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
You are surrounded by individuals who have left a lasting mark on the structural engineering profession – there is a good chance your desk neighbor is on the inside cover of a code book! There is so much to learn from those around you, don’t be afraid to get to know each other.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
Food festivals, long dog walks, skiing, crafting, and baking.
Name: Cynthia Zhan
Hometown: Fremont, CA
Office: Oakland
Where are you in your educational journey?
I recently graduated from the University of California, San Diego, majoring in Structural Engineering. I will be starting my master’s at Stanford University this fall.
What motivated you to apply for this summer internship?
I took part in the EERI Seismic Design Competition during my undergraduate studies, and Degenkolb was always a proud sponsor for this event. From this, I saw the company’s dedication towards making the next generation of structural engineers which encouraged me to apply for an internship here.
What types of projects or tasks have you been involved with during your internship so far?
Some hospitals projects I’ve worked on include designing bracing layouts for steam pipes subject to thermal expansion and designing a bolted steel plate connected to concrete slab to replace cut rebar.
What sparked your interest in structural engineering, and what continues to drive your passion for it?
Growing up, I was always interested in building things. In high school, I had the opportunity to attend a structural engineering summer program at UCSD, which exposed me to earthquake engineering. I continue to be driven by the breadth of engineering knowledge I am yet to learn.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with future interns joining the firm?
Try everything and ask questions. There might be times when projects are daunting, but it is important to use that as new learning opportunities. It is also important to remember that anyone in the office is willing to help you gain that experience.
What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of engineering and academics?
I love to do creative things! I enjoy dancing (jazz, contemporary, ballet, etc.), crocheting, and painting. I’m also a big fan of escape rooms.
