At DRMP, we believe early career development is imperative in bridging the gap between course learning and real-world experience. Internships provide students and recent graduates an opportunity to network with experienced professionals and sharpen their skills before entering the workforce.
Our DRMP Internship Program offers interns an opportunity to gain exposure in the field, develop better professional skills, participate in mentorship programs, and explore their passions. Many of our interns have become full-time employees and have established successful careers at the firm. Our mission, implemented by our Learning & Development Department, is to continue the development of an engaging program where our interns can thrive and become strong professionals.
In celebration of National Intern Day on July 27, we’ve spotlighted some of DRMP’s past and present interns and their experience in the program.
Past DRMP Interns who became Full-Time Employees:
Chris Wild, PSM
Vice President/Tampa Survey Department Manager
- Internship: 5/15/2006 – 1/2/2008
- DRMP Tenure: 17 years
- Locations: Tampa, Fla.
- School: University of Florida – Bachelor of Science, Geomatics
Megan Mott, PE
Structures Division Leader
- Internship: 5/5/2004 – 11/12/2007
- DRMP Tenure: 15 years
- Locations: Orlando, Fla.
- School: University of Florida – Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Ryan Harrison, PE
Drainage Engineer
- Internship: 5/9/2016 – 8/13/2018
- DRMP Tenure: 7 years
- Locations: Orlando, Fla.
- School: University of Central Florida – Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
1. How did the DRMP internship program help you in your career development and lead to your success?
- Chris: “As an intern, I had the opportunity to work with a few different teams and eventually found a new passion for Right-of-Way Mapping projects. This became my specialty after I graduated college, and it helped solidify my role as a surveyor in training at DRMP. Finding work that I was passionate about created the self-motivation to learn as much as possible and become a more valuable member of project teams.”
- Megan: “My internship gave me an early look into what a career would look like upon completion of my degree. It gave me a valuable learning experience and showed me the correlation between what I was learning in school and its application in the engineering field. In the field of civil engineering, there are several areas of practice, my internship helped navigate that decision and led me to a career in structures.”
- Ryan: “My internship taught me things that I still use every day. The progressive workload was a key attribute to where I’m at today. I started with a foundation block and later moved to more complex projects. Also, I had a few key mentors who helped me with understanding the “why, how, and what” of the day-to-day workflows.”
2. Any advice you would give new interns?
- Chris: “Interns tend to put too much pressure on themselves to deliver results like a seasoned professional from the start, but most supervisors are evaluating how well an intern learns, not what they already know. My advice is to put in the effort to pick up a new skill set and ask questions that support your development.”
- Megan: “Internships are a great learning experience. Ask questions, volunteer to assist with new assignments, and discover what you enjoy!”
- Ryan: “Don’t think that you must know everything on day one. It takes time to truly understand what’s going on. You learn something new every day, so just take one bite at a time and try not to eat the whole pie in one sitting. I’m still learning every day. Always ask questions, even if you think it’s not important. It’s better to ask than to be stressed out.”
Present DRMP Interns:
Mia Halperin
Roadway Design Intern
- Internship: 5/5/2022 – Present
- DRMP Tenure: 1 year
- Location: Orlando, Fla.
- School: University of Central Florida – Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Jacob Gonzalez
Roadway Design Intern
- Internship: 2/14/2022 – Present
- DRMP Tenure: 1 year
- Location: Tampa, Fla.
- School: University of South Florida – Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
1. What has been your favorite part about your DRMP internship and why?
Mia: “Some of my favorite things about my internship at DRMP is that I get to apply what I’m learning at school. This internship accelerates my technical skills in a way that a degree alone could never achieve. I also enjoy working with my coworkers, they’re great!”
Jacob: “My favorite part of my internship at DRMP has been the mentorship aspect of it and the open learning environment. It has given me a safe space to network and learn.”
2. What has been the biggest challenge during your internship?
Mia: “One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to step out of my shell and network with my colleagues.”
Jacob: “I would have to say the biggest challenge for me has been keeping up with how people communicate about designs and ideas. Communication is key so projects flow better, and I’m glad I have mentors who help me build this skill every day.”
Cooper Bolz
Engineering Intern
- Internship: 12/7/2022 – Present
- DRMP Tenure: <1 year
- Location: Cary, N.C.
- School: North Carolina State University – Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
1. What are you enjoying most about your DRMP internship?
- Cooper: “I enjoy gaining professional experience in my field and learning about what civil engineering has to offer. I also like to find solutions to problems that I encounter and work with my mentors when I can’t find the answer.”
2. What are your expectations for your internship at DRMP?
- Cooper: “For my time as an intern, DRMP has met all my expectations. I have gained experience in my field and have enjoyed discovering interesting new concentrations.”
