August 13, 2024

Meet Elli Hayes, a civil engineering student at Mizzou. She was first drawn to the major because of her love of math and science.

“I knew [civil engineering] had a lot of opportunities for career growth as well as different disciplines to choose from,” Hayes said.

Hayes is in Brooklyn, New York interning at Brooklyn Navy Yard Cogeneration for the summer. We asked her a few questions about the experience.

Tell us about your internship at the Brooklyn Navy Yard (BNY) Cogeneration. What’s your role and primary responsibility?

My role is as a project engineer intern at BNY Cogeneration. I am expected to be well versed with the combined cycle generation process at this specific site in order to assist with improving plant operations. I collaborate on tasks including writing requests for proposals, updating piping and instrumentation drawings and taking part in walk downs of the plant for new construction projects.

How did Mizzou Engineering prepare you for this internship?

Mizzou Engineering has given me experience using AutoCAD and as well as knowledge from fundamental engineering courses and undergraduate research which have transferred into my work. The skills I gained in AutoCAD during my studies have allowed me to efficiently create and modify technical drawings, an essential task for my role. In addition, the strong problem-solving skills developed through courses and research have allowed me to approach complex engineering challenges with a stronger understanding and precision.

What have you enjoyed most working at BNY Cogeneration so far?

My favorite aspect of working at the Brooklyn Navy Yard is the opportunity it provides to engage in both desk-based tasks and hands-on fieldwork. This environment allows me to familiarize myself with the power plant and actively participate in ongoing projects, bridging the gap between planning and implementation.

What have you learned from your internship experience?

This internship has enhanced my understanding of combined heat and power systems, including their design, operation and maintenance. Collaborating with engineers and technicians to achieve project goals, I learned the importance of effective communication and teamwork. I was also able to improve my ability to efficiently create and modify drawings, ensuring accurate project planning.

What advice would you give other students wanting to pursue an internship in this area?

I recommend pursuing all networking opportunities and events and developing strong communication skills. Getting connected through peers, engineering clubs/extracurriculars, volunteer work in the industry and career fairs are great approaches.

Thank you for sharing!

Earn an engineering degree at a college that supports students’ careers. Choose Mizzou Engineering!