National Intern Day recognizes the importance of creating entry-level career opportunities that build professional skills for the next generation of talent. At V3, our internship and co-op program provides meaningful, hands-on experiences to help students see what it’s really like to work in their chosen field. Career development is one of our firm’s primary focuses; in fact, nearly 10% of our team started as V3 interns! Learn more about our internship program and what this year’s students have to say about their experiences.
V3’s Internship & Co-Op Program
Every summer, we welcome a new class of interns to help bring their studies to life. Many of our interns are future engineers, specializing in structural, civil, construction, or transportation engineering, as well as landscape architecture, natural resources, surveying, and more.
We pair interns with staff members at various levels to give broad career perspectives. Not only do students get to learn from our most seasoned experts, but they also connect with former V3 interns who are now full-time team members.
We take our interns’ goals seriously, offering them hands-on participation and career advice along the way. Our interns become part of our team, enjoying many of the benefits of full-time employment:
- Career charters: Set goals and learn how to achieve them.
- Volunteer opportunities: Give back through one of our philanthropic partners.
- Team support: Ask questions and get guidance from field experts.
- Social events: Have fun at our end-of-the-summer intern celebration.
What Our 2024 Interns Say
This year we have 25 interns across our five regional offices, all of whom are diving into real projects and learning on the job. Here’s what a few of them are saying about their experiences so far!
Hands-on learning:
“I have been working on a lot of small repaving projects doing quantities and some ADA ramp design. I have learned a lot about the importance of working together in a design team. I have gotten experience using our design software (ORD and MicroStation GEOpack). I have also gained a lot advice and mentorship from our project managers and engineers.”
Cooper Bohnstedt, University of Cincinnati
“I’ve worked on a little bit of everything but recently I’ve helped with a WWTP in Illinois and a well in Ohio. The good thing about this is I’ve learned a little bit of everything as well. For example, I feel comfortable using AutoCAD, I know how biddings work, how to make a contract book, and so many more things that I will use in the future.”
Owen Graff, Ohio State University
“I have been working with CAD on a variety of different projects, but I also go on site visits once or twice a week. One project that sticks out to me is a conceptual park design that was given to another intern and myself. We are in charge of all of the design, so I have had to learn how to calculate storm detention volume, shape the site grading, and create plan sheets. I’m excited to see if it will get built in the future, but either way I have a good sense of satisfaction.“
Samuel Vaal, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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Favorite experiences:
“My favorite experience with V3 so far was meeting the clients for a project I was working on with a senior employee. They were an older couple helping their son run a business with some land they had bought, but needed to make some changes in order for it to be compliant with the UDO. When I met them and started talking about the project with them, it made me realize that the work I am doing even as an intern is meaningful and can have a profound impact on people’s lives.”
Logan Grunwald, UNC Charlotte
“Getting to go out into the field to checkout sites would be my favorite. I have been working with the construction team here in Columbus a majority of the time and have gotten to work on two local jobs while I have been here. I have learned a lot about the construction and engineering field as well as the bidding process and obtaining new jobs this summer.“
Landon Long, Shawnee State University
“I have enjoyed working with and getting to know the various ER Field Ecologists and learning more about the practical aspects of restoration work.”
Zack Ryan, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Biggest takeaways:
“Never stop asking questions! It can be intimidating at first because you’re starting from scratch with very little experience, but the more time that goes on, and the more questions you ask, the more valuable you become. It also helps to have a team that encourages questions and is always happy to take the time to teach you anything and everything! Take advantage of all the cumulative knowledge and experience the coworkers around you have to offer!”
Paige Antiporek, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
“I have learned a great deal about land development and more so about the scope of every development. I didn’t realize how much planning and teamwork goes into the construction you see on the side of the road when you’re driving. It’s a rewarding feeling to drive past a site and be able to say that you worked on that project.“
Tamara Bader, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
“I’ve learned that your work environment is just as important as the work we do, having a supportive and welcoming team can mean the difference between a job feeling like a job or feeling like a passion or hobby that you get to have as career.”
Ahmaud Carroll-Tubbs, Ball State University
“There is a lot of work that goes into construction! A lot of different factors come into play whether that is weather conditions, different approaches from plans, or working with different contractors and coming together to resolve a challenge. It has helped me become more open-minded and given me the ability to learn from others, which is something I genuinely appreciate working here.”
Kevin Diaz, University of Illinois Chicago
Find Opportunity at V3
We’ve loved working with our interns this summer and are always looking for talented, passionate individuals who want to make a difference. Our firm is growing; explore our current career opportunities to learn more!