My Summer Internship in Alaska
How can I get an internship as a college student? What is it like interning in Alaska at the State Department of Transportation?
Welcome back to our 5 Things I Learned blog series, where UNH students share five things they learned from the UNH experience that changed everything for them. Learn more about how Sophie Ravencraft '27, a civil engineering major, spent the summer interning in Alaska.
One of the most influential experiences I’ve had so far at UNH was my internship this past summer with the State of Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) and Public Facilities. I worked on construction projects ranging from rock stabilization improvements and roadway repairs to the close-out of an airport ferry float project. I was able to work both in the office and in the field. The internship helped me to see my education differently, since I was able to connect what I have been learning in class to real-world projects, while also learning new things I had never encountered before. Here are five things I learned from my summer internship.
1. Get outside your comfort zone.
Moving across the country for an internship was very intimidating. Not knowing what lay ahead scared me at first, but the internship turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I grew personally by learning to work and live in an environment I was new to, and I grew academically by connecting what I have learned in the classroom at UNH to real-world projects. Overall I learned that the most growth happens when you’re willing to take the risk without knowing the outcome.
2. Community makes a difference.
At UNH, I have been lucky to find a group of classmates and friends that I can always count on. As I started to build relationships with friends and coworkers in Alaska, I found the same kind of support I had at school. Everyone is there to build you up and help you learn. Finding a community, whether it is at work or school, truly makes all the difference when adjusting to a new place.
3. Asking questions is a strength.
I quickly realized asking questions, both in the office and in the field, was one of the best ways I was going to learn. It showed my supervisors I was engaged, helped me avoid mistakes, and gave me confidence as I gained new knowledge. Asking questions can be intimidating, but I learned that asking questions can not only strengthen your knowledge, but also your relationships with professors, teaching assistants, and classmates.
4. Teamwork is key.
I saw firsthand how much it takes for a project to succeed. Contractors, DOT engineers and managers, inspectors, lab techs, and more all held their own responsibilities, but overall, success came from coordinating their efforts. I left knowing how essential teamwork, safety, and communication are to the success of any project.
5. Figure out what you don’t like.
This summer I learned that learning what isn’t the best fit for my future is just as important as finding out what is. I am very thankful to have learned about different aspects of all things construction. While I appreciated my learning and time spent in the office, I quickly realized that I felt more engaged being outside in the field working and observing. Understanding this gave me a better feel for what I might want to pursue in my future.