Internships

I chose KCA because I am interested in working with a field that would have a need for software development, as here, we must ensure engineers have the proper tools to work with, keep track, and analyze structures and bridges. One of the challenges I faced when transitioning to a more professional workplace was the free flow of skills required. Dave [Hubert] has helped me immensely by providing me with feedback on my work, and telling me how I could improve, but also giving me the liberty to do some things as I see fit, which I feel has helped me grow more. My training experience was very comfortable, and I never felt like I was given something I could not handle. I have participated in department lunches, mini golf events, and will be participating in the holiday party in December. I love the people I work with; they are a joy to be around and never have any complaints. The one thing I would tell someone that’s unsure of where to complete their internships is you don’t have to overthink it, find a place where you can simply get any kind of work relating to your field, more likely than not when you are in, you will soon blossom into work that you want to do.

I chose to be a Roadway Engineer Intern for the Tampa office at KCA because I was drawn to the company’s strong reputation in roadway engineering and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects from the very beginning. My mentors and peers were actively helping me overcome these challenges by walking me through processes step-by-step and providing consistent support that built my confidence. My training experience was both structured and hands-on; I was able to work on real projects immediately while continuing to learn and improve my technical abilities each day. I also had the chance to participate in several company events, including the annual Putt-Putt event, the roadway group’s monthly lunch gatherings, and other fun events. What I appreciated most about KCA was the warm, collaborative, and welcoming environment. Everyone was patient, helpful, and committed to ensuring interns had opportunities to grow. For anyone unsure about where to complete their engineering internship, I would recommend KCA as a place to gain valuable experience, develop strong skills, and feel supported throughout the process.

My internship experience with KCA has been very fun and engaging. My favorite thing about KCA is definitely the company culture. It is the biggest reason why I have stayed with the company two summers in a row and now into the school year. The people here are so kind and encouraging. They take the time to teach me not just how to do things, but also why. It makes me feel comfortable asking questions, and I feel like I have learned a lot. Moreover, KCA as a company truly cares about every single one of its employees. I have enjoyed all the events that the company hosts, like the department birthday/anniversary lunches and the annual Putt-Putt competition. I would tell a student unsure about where to complete their internship to look at how people in the company get along and what events or opportunities there are for staff outside of regular projects.

Since May, I’ve been working as an intern in the structures department at the Tampa office. I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to work and learn here, it’s helped give me a deeper understanding of what I learned in my classes. I’ve worked on a variety of different projects, at different stages of completion, giving me the opportunity to be exposed to a lot of different things. This summer I had the opportunity to participate in the annual Putt Putt competition, which is where each department decorates a hole in their section of the office for a game of mini golf with everyone in the building. It was really fun planning and decorating, and it gave me an opportunity to connect with people in the building who I didn’t normally work with.

I chose KCA because I am interested in transportation engineering, and KCA was recommended to me by a friend who previously worked here as an intern. My training experience was valuable and made me feel that what I contributed during the program would be beneficial to the company. I participated in monthly lunch events, Putt-Putt, and themed outings. I really enjoy the people I work with, the environment KCA has created, and the projects we work on. These projects have deepened my interest in transportation engineering and made me excited about what’s ahead. I would definitely encourage other students to find a specialty in engineering that sparks their interest and explore what it’s like in the real world. If they are also passionate about transportation, I would highly recommend KCA!

I chose KCA for my internship because of the positive feedback I received from previous interns who described the environment as welcoming and supportive. My mentors were incredibly hands-on, consistently checking in to ensure I understood everything from conceptual ideas to mathematical applications. The training experience was thorough and practical, every tool and resource provided from the start was extremely helpful and made completing tasks much smoother. During my time at KCA, I participated in several events, including those associated with ASCE and other office gatherings, which helped me feel connected to the team. What I appreciated most about KCA was their flexibility and understanding of interns’ academic commitments; they never made me choose between school and work, which speaks volumes about how much they value their employees. For anyone unsure about where to complete their engineering internship, I would advise looking closely at a company’s values and priorities. KCA truly stands out as a company that supports growth and balance.

Working with KCA has been an incredible experience, allowing me to contribute and provide input as an equal to professional engineers in the office. This experience has taught me a lot about the technical side of civil engineering (drafting, calculations, and field work) as well as the soft skills that are required to succeed (meeting with project managers, working with other disciplines, and team bonding). From the very beginning, I have felt welcomed and always included on new projects and office events. I want to give a special thanks to Jacob Duke and Diego Aguirre for never holding back on me and always placing me in positions where I can grow.