August 15, 2024

Meet Nikko Sanchez, an industrial engineering major. Sanchez arrived at Mizzou undecided on what he wanted to study. However, entry-level engineering courses and attending the Engineering Career Fair helped.

“One thing I like about [industrial engineering] is the ability to work with highly educated engineers who focus on the bigger picture and efficiency,” he said.

This summer, Sanchez is conducting an internship at Millstone Weber LLC in St. Louis. We asked him a few questions about the experience.

Tell us about your internship at Millstone Weber LLC. What’s your role and primary responsibility?

I am a field engineer intern at Millstone Weber LLC and I am working on the Lambert International Airport project. The project I am working on is the reconstruction of Taxiway Charlie, which is the replacement of approximately 51,406 square yards of concrete from Taxiway Mike to Taxiway Juliet, as well as an asphalt shoulder and artificial turf.

I work under the project manager and alongside the field engineer. I track quantities and amounts completed for the crew for each day, such as square yardage of concrete poured, length of an underdrainage pipe installed, amount of permeable base put down or number of structures placed. I also conduct slump tests of the concrete, escort trucks across the airfield to the job site, communicate with subcontractors and assist with the change orders. Overall, my main role is to assist the project manager in any way possible so the job runs smoothly and on time.

What’s a typical day like?

In the mornings I usually work on my laptop, and right before lunch, I will do my first job site visit. The job site is located on the runways and taxiways the planes use, and thankfully I have the clearance to drive on the taxiways. However, it took a lot of time to get comfortable driving with planes next to you. I will then take notes and track everything going on before going back. In the afternoon, I will enter the quantities and photos of the progress before wrapping things up and going on my second job site visit. I will typically stay out there until the day is finished.

How did Mizzou Engineering prepare you for this internship?

Mizzou Engineering has prepared me not only with the technical skills to succeed in this internship but also with the interpersonal skills. Mizzou Engineering has taught me to become a well-rounded individual who is both highly educated in engineering and well-versed in connection and teamwork dynamics. Mizzou Engineering does a great job at providing both skill sets to their students, and it has helped me in my internship.

How did Mizzou Engineering Career Services assist you with securing or preparing for this internship?

Mizzou Engineering has assisted me in securing an internship mainly through the Career Fair and the opportunity to grow. If it wasn’t for the chance to meet with other companies and network with other engineers, I would not be where I am today. They offer so many opportunities for students to network, revise resumes and reach out to employers, which is very helpful for securing an internship.

What have you enjoyed most working at Millstone Weber so far?

I have really enjoyed the working environment and community that this company creates. I have had great experiences with my supervisors and coworkers. This was my first internship and no matter how inexperienced I felt, the company did a substantial job of working with me and giving me guidance. I also really enjoy the dynamics of each day and how no day is the same. One day I could be in the field and the next I could be out visiting a rebar fabrication shop.

What have you learned from your internship experience?

I’ve learned and become more familiar with how this industry works. Either being thrown into the field or by just being around my team, I quickly learned how operations work and what to expect. I have learned the skills of effective communication, critical thinking and the ability to ask for help when needed. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with well-experienced coworkers and the knowledge and insight that they have shown me is one of the best lessons I have learned over this summer.

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

Be responsible for your career. If you want an internship or unique experience working in a certain field, it is only up to you to achieve that goal. There is not going to be someone doing the work for you and taking advantage of every opportunity is very important. Furthermore, putting extra time and effort into yourself will set you apart in the long run.

Is there anything else you’d like others to know about your internship at Millstone Weber?

Not everyone gets a chance to do an internship and I have taken advantage of my unique opportunity this summer. This internship has given me the ability to see how the civil engineering and construction management side of the world works. I think the best way to figure out what you want to do is through experiences and internships like this because the knowledge and exposure you get are extremely valuable.

Thanks for sharing!

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