REFLECTIONS OF CAREERS LAUNCHED FROM IMPACTFUL INTERNSHIPS

Genevieve Kraidman, PE | Transportation Engineer III

Is there anything you learned during your internship that still sticks with you today? An important lesson or anecdote that you still think about?

The biggest lesson that stuck with me from my internship is to never be afraid to ask questions. I learned quickly that no one expects you to know everything, and your colleagues are usually eager to help. Holding back only slows your own development. Even now, I remind myself that there’s always something new to learn from the people I work with.

What was your favorite project you worked on as an intern?

My favorite projects as an intern, and still now, are the small-scale improvement projects we do for local municipalities. Because these projects move quickly, I get to see the results right away and witness the direct impact on the community. It’s really motivating to see how even small changes can make a big difference.

What was it about McCormick Taylor that made you want to return as a full-time employee?

After interning at McCormick Taylor for four years, I knew it was where I wanted to start my career. During that time, I not only developed my engineering skills but also built strong, meaningful relationships with my coworkers. I truly enjoyed the work and the people I worked with, and that combination made the decision to return an easy one. I was excited to continue growing in an environment where I felt both supported and inspired.

What advice would you give students applying for an internship at McCormick Taylor?

The biggest piece of advice I’d give students applying for an internship at McCormick Taylor is to stay open to all opportunities and the variety of work you may be given. You might think you know exactly what direction you want your career to go, only to discover that you enjoy something you’ve never tried before. Our industry has so many different facets, and you won’t know what resonates with you until you explore them. Be willing to try as much as you can—and don’t hesitate to ask for the chance to learn something new.

Matthew Devlin, PE | Transportation Engineer III

Is there anything you learned during your internship that still sticks with you today? An important lesson or anecdote that you still think about?

I can’t remember where I first heard it, but the best advice for being successful in a role is to make my boss’s job easier. I still find it helpful to return to with each task to this day – thinking about the intent of the work, potential drawbacks and constraints, and highlighting the important aspects to simplify a review.

What was it about McCormick Taylor that made you want to return as a full-time employee?

I have never had a strong reason to look elsewhere. I like the work that I get to do and the friendly, approachable nature of the Pittsburgh office. I appreciated being able to get experience in a variety of specialties early on, be it roadway, traffic, right-of-way, environmental, water resources, etc. Getting familiar with each of these has been valuable as my career progresses.

What was your favorite project you worked on as an intern?

Luckily, my favorite project has been one that I’m still working on – the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement project. As a designer, what more could you ask for than 11 miles of roadway realignments? I helped with high level concepts as an intern and have been involved in many aspects of the 3 sections over the past 10 years. There are numerous lessons learned throughout stemming from the early designs and seeing the first section through construction.

Brian Kelly, PE | Project Manager, Transportation Engineering

What was your favorite project you worked on as an intern?

I had the opportunity to work on the final design phase of the Route 31 Flemington Circle project in New Jersey.  The project consisted of a unique circle-style intersection and involved significant design challenges and impacts to the area.  It was a great project to get an initial overview of the many sides of a civil infrastructure project.

How have you grown in your field in your time with Mcormick Taylor? How has MT facilitated this growth?

I’ve expanded my knowledge in the Transportation Engineering field in many ways throughout my time at MT.  With such a diverse array of projects that touch so many branches of civil infrastructure, it’s been easy to grow both my skills and my network over the years.

What was it about McCormick Taylor that made you want to return as a full-time employee?

McCormick Taylor provided a comprehensive internship experience where I was exposed to involved in several different projects.  The staff was incredibly friendly while still being focused and eager to get the job done.

What advice would you give students applying for an internship at McCormick Taylor?

Make the most of such a valuable opportunity.  Ask questions and volunteer to help - your future self will thank you.