MEC’s Lenexa office hosts four interns for its summer internship program.
No two days are alike for McClure Engineering Company (MEC) interns. From project site visits to industry-related field trips, MEC provides opportunities that allow interns to grow as professionals.
Brett Morey, a senior at Kansas State University and Jolene Williams, a senior at the University of Missouri are civil engineering majors who are working on projects in MEC’s infrastructure and development services departments. During their internship, they have the opportunity to work on projects in the preliminary stages to finishing construction, and everything in between.
“Seeing the stages of a project from beginning to end within the span of my internship has taught me a lot about this industry,” said Morey.
Morey and Williams have been able to work on projects in the office with software like MicroStation, as well as go out in the field to monitor construction. They have also gained experiences outside the technical realm of engineering, like meeting with government agencies and acting as a liaison to clients.
Intern Robert Brewer has been a part of the field services department this summer. The senior design and drafting technology major at the University of Central Missouri has been able to work hands-on in the field throughout his internship.
Interns Morey and Williams learn more about LiDAR technology with Team Leader Patrick Crawford.
“I’ve been able to go out and survey parking lots in downtown Kansas City, building corners by Crown Center and more,” said Brewer. “Going out to sites to collect points is challenging, but I’ve learned a lot.”
Meagan Platt, the Lenexa office’s content marketing intern, is a journalism major entering her senior year at the University of Missouri. As a member of the marketing department, she creates content for social media and the website.
“I came into this internship with limited knowledge of the AEC industry,” said Platt. “My time with MEC has taught me that in any kind of marketing, you have to adapt and quickly become an expert on your product or service.”
These four interns are paired with mentors in the Lenexa office, who guide them through projects and their overall internship experience.
“My role as a mentor is to give meaningful experiences that will lead to broad exposure to multiple types of roles and projects,” said Senior Project Manager Paul Parks.
Matt Kist, team leader, said his experience as a mentor has allowed him to reflect on what he wishes he knew going into the engineering field.
“Looking back to when I was an intern, I was only doing drafting work,” said Kist. “It’s important to get our interns out in the field to gain a full understanding of what they’re doing in the office.”
Interns tour the Kansas City Water Plant and see the role engineering plays in everyday life.
In addition to visiting project sites, the interns are also able to attend several field trips over the course of their internship program. These include tours of the Kansas City Power & Light Iatan Power Plant, Kansas City Water Plant, and the Blue River Secondary Disinfection System.
“Going on field trips has shown me what the final project outcomes of field surveying can potentially be,” said Brewer.
During the last few weeks of their program, Lenexa interns are looking forward to seeing their current projects continue to develop, and gain new experiences through additional projects.
“I’m doing more work on projects than I thought I would in an internship,” said Williams. “I’m eager to see what other projects my mentor gives me throughout the rest of my time with MEC.”
