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Survey Says… DRMP Knows How to Celebrate Interns
July 31st, 2025
DRMP went full game show mode for this year’s National Intern Day celebration with an interactive, three-round game of Family Feud at its Orlando, Fla., headquarters. Interns split into two teams – the Survey Says Squad and the Fast Moneymakers. They competed using top answers submitted by DRMP employees. For example, when asked “Other than work, name something you talk to your co-workers about,” the No. 1 answer was sports. And for “Name a skill every intern should have,” communication skills topped the list.
This year’s National Intern Day celebration kicked off with breakfast and networking, followed by Family Feud, career shadowing with a DRMP expert, and a hosted lunch with more games. DRMP’s regional offices joined virtually to be part of the fun, while Learning & Development Specialist Jake Burton stepped into the host role – fake mustache and all – to channel Family Feud celebrity host Steve Harvey’s energy.
Each year, DRMP finds fresh, creative ways to make National Intern Day, celebrated on the last Thursday of July, a welcoming and memorable experience. Past celebrations have featured a VIP style red carpet experience complete with a Hollywood-style Walk of Fame and a Monopoly-themed extravaganza. No matter the theme, DRMP wants its interns to know they are valued and an integral part of the team. This year, DRMP Instructional Designer Keelyn Taylor developed the custom-built Family Feud game from scratch, bringing creativity and engagement to the event, while showcasing the firm’s commitment to innovative professional development.
DRMP is committed to investing in the next generation of engineering and infrastructure professionals. The firm’s 2025 Intern Program includes 32 students from universities across several states, including Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia, each bringing fresh perspectives and a passion for engineering.
Covering disciplines such as civil engineering, environmental services, transportation, and surveying, the program offers hands-on experience that complements academic learning. Interns collaborate with project teams, receive mentorship from industry experts, and contribute to real-world projects that make a tangible impact in communities. DRMP’s internship program is designed to build confidence, foster connections, and inspire long-term careers.
Interns in Action
Civil Services Engineering Intern Jade Palmer participated in the festivities virtually from DRMP’s Tampa, Fla., office.
“The experience participating in the Family Feud game was fun,” Palmer said. “Our team was asked about topics commonly discussed with coworkers, and my answer of ‘family and friends’ gained a point for the team.”
Palmer, who is working toward earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering this fall at the University of South Florida, has an interest in roadway and drainage work. She has been assisting on pump station improvements aimed at boosting resiliency and reliability as part of the City of Tampa’s response to last year’s severe hurricane season. For the National Intern Day celebration, interns were paired for the day with experts outside their primary areas of interest to provide a broader perspective on engineering disciplines.
Palmer shadowed Survey Project Manager Drew Wiseman, PSM.
“The experience was interesting and enlightening,” she said. “Drew showcased current projects, including the data that the survey crew gathers via LiDAR technology, and it was impressive to see how much data these scanners can gather.”
Traffic Analysis Engineering Intern Ezra Rickert, who works out of DRMP’s Virginia office, shadowed Roadway Engineer Sydney Holliday, PE, during the day’s career exploration.
“She was super interesting and helpful to talk to,” Rickert said. “She showed me all about how the process works in the software called OpenRoads, and I got to ask a ton of questions about not just her job but her life and career.”
Rickert, a rising sophomore at Case Western Reserve University studying mechanical engineering, said his internship at DRMP has been an invaluable experience.
“Every project I work on forces me to learn new skills on the way,” he said. “That is my career goal right now. I want to learn as much as I can to really narrow down what I want in a job but also to diversify and hone my skills in the process.”
Rickert has reached out to multiple professionals within DRMP from various disciplines to learn about what they do and how they got to where they are in their careers.
“Mentorship completely changed my mindset and decisions around my career and education,” he said. “Being able to ask questions to people who not only had the answers, but cared to guide me, is one of the greatest opportunities I have had in my life. Through this internship I got my first direct exposure to engineering and construction in a way that school alone couldn’t provide. It helped me realize how much I enjoy problem solving, working with others, and seeing real projects come to life and make a difference.”
Real-World Learning
Traffic Operations Intern Arzou Awlad, based in DRMP’s Orlando office, brought enthusiasm and humor to the Family Feud game.
“The Family Feud was amazing,” she said. “I volunteered from my team to press the buzzer, and I think the adrenaline rush was too much to a point where I misheard the question. I was asked what do you talk to your coworkers about that is not work, which I thought was about work. My answer was OpenRoads.”
Awlad, a civil engineering student at the University of Central Florida, shadowed Chief Operations Officer Mike Albano, PE, during the day.
“Shadowing him was one of the best learning experiences of my life,” she said. “He emphasized so much on how keeping people happy and valuing relationships with the people that we work with takes us a long way.”
Awlad has been working on a Central Florida Expressway project this summer and has gained professional experience and confidence in her role.
“I have slowly but surely learned that there is no such thing as a dumb question,” she said. “Everyone that I work with daily is helpful, patient, and amazing team players.”
Structures Design Intern Danielle Ulhoa is set to graduate from the University of Central Florida this summer with a degree in civil engineering. She has gained valuable experience interning at DRMP by working closely with professionals across departments, including shadowing Transportation Noise Group Leader Robyn Hartz, INCE.
“Since I had never previously interacted with a noise engineer, this was a valuable opportunity to gain insight into the significance of Ms. Hartz’s work and how it positively supports the efforts of the Structures Division, where I am based,” Ulhoa said. “Ms. Hartz’s work creates a thoughtful balance between progress and the quality of life in local communities.”
Ulhoa credits DRMP’s strong focus on quality control/quality assurance (QA/QC) and mentorship for contributing to her professional growth.
“After researching the company further, I learned that DRMP places a strong emphasis on quality control and quality assurance processes, offering invaluable opportunities for interns to learn and grow,” she said.
Check out our National Intern Day video to see all the highlights and excitement!
Posted in the categories All, Learning & Development.
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Contributors
- Michael K. Albano, PE
- Bruno J. Arriola, PE, ENV SP
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Recent Articles
- 07/31/25Survey Says… DRMP Knows How to Celebrate Interns
- 07/25/25DRMP Delivers Hope on Two Wheels
- 07/24/25DRMP's Expanding Electrical Engineering Service Charges into New Territory
- 07/16/25What is a Traffic Impact Analysis? And How Does It Help Plan Safe, Efficient Solutions for New Developments?
- 07/15/25GIS: The Unsung Hero Behind Smarter Communities