This summer, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) welcomed 21 interns to offices across the state as part of the Civil Engineering Student Worker Program, offered in partnership with CTS. The interns, including 11 from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Duluth campuses, explored various careers in civil engineering and transportation through hands-on positions.
Milan Tomaska, a junior at the University of Minnesota Duluth studying civil engineering, says he learned a lot from his internship, which focused on bridges and hydraulics.
“I [enjoyed] my field visits to the structures,” Tomaska says. “It is very cool to see the different equipment used for river measurements and mapping.”
His visits to several sites has given him firsthand experience in bridge construction and maintenance—and taught him things he couldn’t learn in a classroom. “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is you can never ask too many questions.”
In addition, Tomaska is grateful for the mentorship he received throughout the program. “The hydraulics team has really taught me a lot of useful information about the field while showing me what it is they do for a living,” Tomaska says.
Another intern, U of M senior Aiden Larson, put his knowledge to the test as a bridge inspector. The role consisted of inspecting and photographing bridge elements to compare to previous reports, as well as conducting data analysis to determine which bridges need maintenance.
Larson especially enjoyed the opportunity to work with different equipment, like snooper trucks, on the job. “I found it very hands-on and interesting seeing the bridges’ behaviors up close,” he says.
Larson also appreciated seeing real-world applications of what he’s learned in the classroom. As a civil engineering major, he feels confident his internship will set him up for success in his professional career—potentially with MnDOT.
“They have a cool graduate program for graduating engineers, and I can’t wait for the next step,” he says.
CTS also partnered with Ramsey County for the seventh year of its Economic Growth and Community Investment Planning and Engineering internship program. Seven interns participated this summer, including three from the U of M.
Alexander Johnson, a graduate student at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs studying science, technology, and environmental policy, interned with the county’s Community and Economic Development Department. In this position, Johnson processed and completed applications for Ramsey County’s FirstHOME program, providing down payment assistance to low-income individuals looking to buy a home, among other projects.
Having gotten his undergraduate degree in biology, Johnson had to work hard to become familiar with the systems used in public policy.
“This internship has been crucial insofar as it has better acquainted me with the tools available to policymakers when it comes to addressing the multi-headed behemoth that is the affordable housing crisis,” Johnson says. “This internship has also given me the support I need to become more fluent in the languages of bureaucracy, a skill that I hope to use to better serve my community.”
—Rachel Hoppe, CTS communications intern
