ROCHELLE — A local engineering firm is helping college students bridge skills learned in the classroom with real-world experiences through an internship program with excellent results.

Noah Carmichael, principal, PE and branch manager of Fehr Graham Engineering and Environmental in Rochelle said the internship program can be a great experience for students when it is structured properly.
“The experience gives students an inside look at civil engineering, and they also learn the different paths available in engineering,” Carmichael said. “The internship experience helps students see the value in their coursework and empowers them to better select technical electives that are of interest.”
Carmichael further said the experience the interns gain builds stronger resumes and “generally command a higher starting salary.”

Ellie Macklin has spent this summer as an engineering intern at Fehr Graham’s Rockford office primarily working for the City of Rockford on a water-modeling project. Macklin is studying engineering physics at Elon University in North Carolina.
“I was given GIS data of the city’s water system (pipes, wells, pumps, etc.), and created a network so that further model analyses can be performed to predict and demonstrate how water moves across the distribution system. I also helped with cost estimates, bid tabulations, response letters, Ill. Dept. of Transportation utility permit applications and sidewalk compliance. I also delivered plans and paperwork to clients.”
Macklin said she would recommend interning to other students.
“It exposes you to a part of engineering that isn’t taught in the classroom,” Macklin explained. “Interning provides you with the opportunity to see how the skills you learn in class are applied in the real world.”
Macklin’s internship experience echoes what many have said about the numerous benefits college students gain. At Fehr Graham, all interns are paid a competitive wage, which could help with college expenses.
In fact, not only do students benefit from internships but the companies that provide those valuables opportunities do as well. These include utilizing quality candidates for a temporary or seasonal project, or perhaps a flexible and cost-effective work force without a long-term commitment.
Carmichael said there have been times that interns have returned during the summers to intern during their college years. There have also been times when interns were offered employment at Fehr Graham. This was the case with one of the firm’s owners who started his career at the engineering firm as an intern.
“Fehr Graham places a high value on our internship program. As STEM [science, technology, engineering, math] professionals, we have a strong desire to share our passion with the next generation of engineers and encourage them to pursue a career in this exciting field,” Carmichael said. “Our interns work on actual projects and, upon the completion of construction, can see their ideas and designs in the real world. This is an experience a student cannot get in the classroom.”