Celebrating Our 2023 Summer Interns
National Intern Day was on July 27, and it’s also that time of the year—the summer days are long, but beginning to grow shorter, and our interns have turned from bashful college students into something that more closely resembles a tried-and-true engineer. With real world experience comes something that we find incredibly important—confidence.
We sat down with our summer interns and asked them a few questions to allow them to share a little about themselves as well as their experience at the firm. Let’s sit down and listen.
Michael Byots
What work are you working on? “I’m involved in the firm’s inspection efforts.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “It has to be that I get to be in the field almost every day, which I really enjoy.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “I have good computer skills, which helps me in the office side of things.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “I can shoot a free throw with both my right and left hands.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? “The temporary satisfaction of quitting is outweighed by the eternal suffering of being a nobody.” AKA, perseverance.
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “It’s the people for me, no questions asked.”
Sam Ferguson
What work are you working on? “I’m involved in transportation work out of the Cape Girardeau office. I use the ‘OpenRoads’ software mainly for drafting, and I do other things, like calculating quantities of concrete, steel, and earthwork.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “The amount of communication that is needed from other engineering firms, clients, other engineers within BFW/Marcum, and the Department of Transportation. Obviously, I knew there would be some, but it was more than I was honestly expecting. I never realized how collaborative good engineering was.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “I feel like in college I learned a good amount of AutoCAD, so that made the transition to learning OpenRoads easier. They are both used for drafting engineering projects, and share similarities.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “I don’t know if you’d call this a skill, but I am cross-dominant. It’s almost like being ambidextrous, but instead of being able to do anything equally with both hands, I do some things better left-handed and some things better right-handed.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? As much as I want to use a SpongeBob quote, I will go with a quote from Yogi Berra, “If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be”.
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “I like that everyone that works here is helpful with all of my questions, and I have already learned a lot in just the month I have been here.”
Madi Goodman
What work are you working on? “This summer I have been doing lighting calculations, lighting controls, analyzing shop drawings, and viewing different job sites.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “When I started working at the firm, I was surprised how much the engineers are involved with other disciplines like architects and electricians.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “My understanding and background with computer-aided design software.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “I can juggle a ball with my feet.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? “Do one thing every day that scares you.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “My favorite thing about working at the firm is the people I get to work with.”
Sydney Gream
What work are you working on? “I am interning with the surveying department.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “The environment is pleasant, and I look forward to seeing the people I work with every day.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “I’m good with directions and mental math.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “I can tumble—the gymnastics style of tumbling.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? “1 Peter 3:3-4. Look it up 😊.”
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “The people I work with!”
Cole Griggs
What work are you working on? “This summer I am working with the structural engineering team. I am gaining experience and knowledge on the job through working and checking on a previous project.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “I am surprised by how well the different disciplines work together, and how stressful deadlines are made to look easy on the client side!”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “I already have a proficiency in CAD programs and Excel.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “I can raise one eyebrow at a time.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? “It doesn’t take any talent to play hard.” – Derek Jeter
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “Simple; learning how to be a good engineer.”
Amber Koenig
What work are you working on? “I’m testing trenches at a chemical plant this summer.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “How close everyone is to one another. We’re a community and family all wrapped into one.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “Much of my schooling, and a lot of my free time is dedicated to the environmental sciences, so I bring a well-developed knowledge of the environmental issues of today.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “I can do color guard. You know, choreographed flag dancing.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? “And though she be but little, she is fierce.” – William Shakespeare
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “How nice everyone is and how willing everyone is to talk to you. I’ve found a lot of hospitality here.”
Noah Matesevac
What work are you working on? “I am helping out the field crew in the surveying department.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “How valuable each individual is, and how important it is to work as a team for the betterment of the company.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “I am determined and hardworking. I will do whatever is necessary to learn how to perform certain tasks that will help my department and the company. I have also been an intern before, so I have a good understanding of what needs to be done as well as how to do it.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “I can normally break 88 when playing golf.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? “Never marry a bartender”
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “I enjoy the people I work with and all the challenges that come with surveying.”
Laken Moffitt
What work are you working on?
“I am doing surveying this summer with BFW/Marcum out of the Murray office.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm?
“I was surprised about how much work is completed as a team. I always thought that everyone had their own projects and that was it, but I have learned that there is a lot of teamwork that goes into engineering, whether it be brainstorming new ways to fix something, collaborating on a project, or simply just answering a quick question.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team?
“I am good with technology and comfortable with it. When I’m in the field if there is a tech issue, I usually have the knowledge of how to fix it, or if not, I at least know how to quickly find an answer.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring?
“I do archery and have shot bows for years.”
What is a piece of advice you live by?
Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm?
“I enjoy the people I work with most. Everyone here in the Murray office is very nice, always helpful, and encouraging, which is great for someone like me who is learning a lot this summer and just getting started in engineering and surveying.”
Patrick Saltzman
What work are you working on? “I am working in the transportation department, so I’m helping with quantities and prepping final plans. I’m also learning how to work with horizontal/vertical alignments and the entire design of a highway. To put it simply, I’m learning a lot of esoteric transportation engineering stuff!”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “Everyone helps each other out, and I find myself constantly learning on the job regardless of what I’m doing.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “It’s more of an interpersonal skill, but I’m always willing to learn and apply myself and I’ve learned that goes far.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “I can eat an entire tub of ice cream in one sitting.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? “You’ll have that on these big jobs.” As in, things work a bit differently in the real world compared to what you’re taught in school.
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “I enjoy the energy of being around people that have the same values as me and are willing to help me learn so I can be a better asset on the team. I also very much appreciate getting to be a part of working on projects that people are going to use every day like interstates and sidewalks.”
Jayse Scherer
What work are you working on? “My focus this summer is on civil drafting.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “There are a variety of projects going on at the same time. There is a method to the madness, though.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “I have experience with CAD software.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “I can play the piano.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? “All things are difficult before they are easy.”
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “I enjoy the company of the people I get to work with and the different aspects of a project I’ve been able to work on.”
Geoff Rotherham
What work are you working on? “I am working with Susannah Campbell in the environmental department. I am currently doing a lot of fieldwork identifying wetlands, plants, and possible environmental issues. When I’m in the office, I organize pictures we took in the field, and do some work creating maps in ‘ArcGIS’.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “Not much has really surprised me at work as my dad is an engineer and my mom has worked at an engineering firm, so I’ve been around the engineering field all my life, except maybe for discovering how much file storage is needed to keep an engineering firm running.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “I am proficient in using ‘ArcGIS pro’, which is a type of mapping software used in our industry.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “I am a certified scuba diver and love the water.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? “I don’t know. I’m making this up as I go.” – Indiana Jones
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “I enjoy working with my coworkers in the environmental department. They have all been very helpful and nice. I also like the variety of tasks and working in the field. Since I’m from Springfield, Illinois I’ve really enjoyed Paducah and staying at the Belle Louise Bed and Breakfast.”
Zach Ybarzabal
What work are you working on? “I’m an intern with the environmental team.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “It surprised me how many people and layers are involved in finishing a full project. At school, I had only learned about bits and pieces, and my experience here has shown me how involved a project can truly be.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “In college I became experienced in coding, especially coding macros in ‘Excel’. This has proven to be a useful skill when creating and revising datasheets to analyze samples.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “Outside of work I spend a lot of time mountain biking. I’d say my cool skill would be popping wheelies.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? I have always lived by the quote, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” This has helped me push to grow and take advantage of opportunities.
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “I really enjoy the real-life workplace experience that I have gotten to see throughout my time here so far. This experience has allowed me to better understand the processes and concepts I have learned at school and given me a true understanding of how the industry operates.”
Matthew Stokes
What work are you working on? “I’m working under the project engineers on the Marcum end of things, working through the basic processes of designing and selecting HVAC units for various projects.”
What’s something that surprised you about working at an engineering firm? “Most surprising was how in-depth projects can be, even the small details. I never would have imagined that there was so much involved in designing and selecting systems. The different types of systems and when they work best, as well as how much coordination is required between all of the different departments; it’s a machine, alright, and needs to be well-oiled.”
What is a technical skill you bring to the team? “I have an ability to learn and adapt quickly, which is useful in our industry.”
What is a completely useless but cool skill you bring? “After driving to a place once, I can remember how to get there without looking at directions.”
What is a piece of advice you live by? One quote I always find myself falling back on is, “Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.”
What do you enjoy most about working at the firm? “I’ve really enjoyed how much everyone encourages me to be involved. In just the month I’ve been here, they’ve made a great effort at getting me involved in every part of the process. That’s something as helped me learn a lot.”
We Love Our Interns
We love our interns, and the reason we have an internship program is to introduce young people to the engineering industry. As we work closely, everyone stands to learn something, which is the embodiment of engineering in the first place.
If you’re interested or know someone that might be, feel free to reach out to us about any new intern openings at BFW/Marcum.
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