It is impressive to see how much I could change throughout my internship at Summer Consultants; I was granted an opportunity that allowed me to grow in a way I did not think possible. When arriving at the McLean office (getting lost on the first day), I realized this would be nothing like my previous employments or internships. The intern program emphasizes completing applicable work, making an impact, and learning along the way. I was privileged to work on the team’s various projects from the beginning. While I did not have substantial experience of mechanical design, I was tasked with action items that got my feet wet in the industry. This style allowed me to showcase my work ethic and enhanced my drive to learn.
I’ve always learned the best through trial and error. My team adapted to this and allowed me to work on tasks more independently. Then, they were able to provide feedback through markups or comments which allowed me to grasp the ideas efficiently. I was able to learn crucial industry software like IESVE, Revit, and CAD more effectively because I was actively applying it every day. On top of this, there was the implementation of weekly training presentations. These weekly trainings on various topics such as valves, psychrometrics, and fans, increased my understanding of mechanical systems beyond the scope of my project work.
Also, I learned that questions are preferred at Summer. My mentor and team encouraged me to ask for help when needed. I focused on asking more questions and became accustomed to doing so. Then, I had the opportunity to succeed in more complicated tasks. I felt more confident in drafting models from survey data or conducting building load calculations for a steam plant system at the Bethesda hospital base pictured above. The boilers were undergoing maintenance, and I was able to walk this site to gain information on the extent of the heating and cooling loads that would be expected on the central plant system. This was a special experience for me as I was able to learn how a steam system works throughout a campus and how IES works behind the scenes.
As my internship wraps up, I’ve had time to reflect on the growth I’ve experienced over the past few months. In the past, I have tended to lean on my people skills to achieve my goals, but I learned a much bigger lesson for myself: an environment of drive, collaboration, and learning allows me to truly operate at my best and is a standard I will always continue to strive for. Summer gives interns real world experience and is a place I will always be able to recommend to anyone.
