Every summer, BFW/Marcum gets a fresh spark of energy. Intern season brings new faces into the office, but it also brings new ideas, thoughtful questions, and a chance to invest in the next generation of engineers. So what makes the BFW/Marcum internship experience stand out?
Real Work, Real Mentorship
“When interns join us, they should expect to dive deep into whatever discipline they’re working in,” says Melissa Yates, Chief People Officer. “Our engineers include them in many aspects of design, and occasionally, they get to sit in on client meetings.”
This is not a program built around coffee runs or watching from the sidelines. Each intern is paired with a project manager who serves as both guide and mentor. “We want our interns to get hands-on experience while being an active member of a team,” says Ben Stinnett, Chief Marketing Officer. “We also provide leadership development for our interns and help them learn greater self-awareness and understanding how they relate to their supervisor.”
Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Career
One of the biggest takeaways interns report is just how much goes into bringing a project to life. “It takes their learning from conceptual to practical,” says Yates. “Occasionally the reverse happens too. They’ll work on a transportation project, take a related class the next semester, and suddenly the ‘why’ behind the plan clicks into place.”
That bridge between theory and practice is crucial, especially in a competitive field. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 56% of interns at engineering firms receive full-time job offers after completing their internship. For students, that kind of experience acts as a helpful launchpad for their futures.
Investing in Interns as Future Leaders
What really sets BFW/Marcum apart is how intentional the company has become about the entire internship experience. “A couple of years ago, we made a strategic decision to switch our mindset from ‘having interns’ to an Internship Development Program,” says Stinnett. “We created three main touchpoints: Kickoff, Mid-Summer Check-In, and a Closing Session.”
The kickoff sets expectations and introduces leadership development from day one. By mid-summer, interns check in on their progress and have the opportunity to explore other areas of the company through shadowing. The program closes with a new tradition: each intern gives a presentation reflecting on what they learned, contributed, and discovered along the way.
“It’s important for interns to learn how to sell their experience to future employers,” says Stinnett. “You may have accomplished incredible things, but if you can’t tell that story, you’re not able to leverage it.”
More Than Technical Training
At BFW/Marcum, interns are not only learning how to become stronger engineers. They are also learning how to become stronger professionals. Workshops, presentations, and leadership training are built into the summer to help them grow beyond the technical side of the work.
“Our goal is to support their growth as well-rounded future engineers who are not only technically proficient but also prepared to lead and contribute meaningfully to their workplaces,” says Yates. That kind of development aligns with a growing trend in engineering education. In fact, a 2023 study by the American Society for Engineering Education found that 73% of engineering students ranked leadership and communication skills as “extremely important” to their career readiness.
From Interns to Full-Time
For many interns, a summer at BFW/Marcum becomes the start of something bigger. “We have several people here who started as interns, came to work full-time after graduation, and are now project managers,” says Yates. And that didn’t occur by accident.
“We treat internships as a long-term interview,” says Stinnett. “But more importantly, it gives students a chance to decide if this is the right place for them.”
When hiring, the company looks for more than just a strong resume. “We look for people who fit our corporate values of excellence, community, courage, passion, and relationships,” says Yates. “We want to work with people who work the same way we do.”
Always Improving
Like any strong engineering firm, BFW/Marcum continues to refine the way it builds its internship experience. “Initially, we just kind of hired interns and dropped them into departments,” says Yates. “While I’m sure they learned a lot, it wasn’t as intentional as what we’re doing now.”
One of the most popular recent changes is cross-training. “If someone is a civil intern but expresses interest in surveying, we give them the chance to shadow the survey crew for a day,” says Yates. “Every year, we’re looking for new ways to improve their experience.”
Advice for First-Time Interns?
“Be curious. Ask questions. Take notes,” says Yates. “And build those relationships. You’re not just learning technical skills—you’re learning how to be part of a professional team.”
With a program this intentional and hands-on, it is easy to see why many BFW/Marcum interns return not only for another summer, but for a full-time career.
According to Yates, Summer 2027 internships will be posted on the company’s website by December 1, 2026. For students interested in the program, applying early is encouraged, as positions tend to fill quickly.
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