2022 PRB Winter
Project Engineer Internship
Aswathy Rajagopalan
People, Partnerships, Passion – that is exactly what PRB is all about. When coming in for my first shadow day, I was unsure what to expect, but the welcoming and fun environment immediately made me feel at home. What surprised me most was the amazing work culture – the team is always ready to help each other out. Even on my very first day as a Project Engineer Intern, each person made it a point to stop by and introduce themselves, and even took time out of their busy days to help me learn more about how each department works. The onboarding process was well organized and included software trainings and shadowing opportunities with the project teams. I was really impressed that PRB equips every team member with training and resources needed to ensure that every project consistently meets the PRB standards for quality and client satisfaction.
“…my internship was tailored
to teach me what I wanted to learn…”
I was able to experience firsthand how PRB puts “People First.” The focus is always on helping bring out the best in every person and giving them the resources to be successful. During my very first week here, I was asked what my expectations are and what I wanted to learn through my internship with the company. While I was expecting this to be a routine question, I was pleasantly surprised to see my internship was tailored to teach me what I wanted to learn, as well as build on my past work experience and skills.
“While working on project proposals, I learned how to read and comprehend construction documents, coordinate with the subcontractors for project bids, answer vendor queries and put together competitive proposals for multiple projects.”
My role as a Project Engineer Intern was to support the project team through the different stages of a construction project – starting from project proposal, project award, subcontractor procurement, field support during construction, and project close-out. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in multiple projects and experience different project phases. This helped me develop many technical and management skills through the course of my internship. While working on project proposals, I learned how to read and comprehend construction documents, coordinate with the subcontractors for project bids, answer vendor queries and put together competitive proposals for multiple projects.
Even as an intern, I managed different aspects of the projects by myself. I got the opportunity to manage submittals and attend OAC meetings, as well as coordinate Request for Information and Change order processes. I am fortunate to be surrounded by the highly experienced PRB team who constantly encourage me to ask questions and entrust me with new responsibilities and challenges, which have helped me develop more confidence over my time here.
“I consider myself extremely lucky to be
part of a company that not only celebrates
professional wins, but everyone’s personal wins too.”
PRB is unique because of the culture of mutual trust and respect, as well as how much the team invests in taking care of each other and making work fun. From weekly one-on-one meetings to Project Team meetings, the company has many systems in place to ensure that each team member is happy in both their professional and personal lives. I am still amazed to see how the leadership advocates for a good work/life balance and makes it a point to individually follow up with team members to ensure they have all the resources needed to successfully navigate their personal and professional lives. I was really surprised when the team celebrated my graduation by decorating my cubicle and surprising me with gifts. I consider myself extremely lucky to be part of a company that not only celebrates professional wins, but everyone’s personal wins too.
As I reflect on the past 4 months as part of the PRB family, I am grateful for all the opportunities that I have had and the skills and experiences that I gained over this period. Most of all, I am thankful to be part of this amazing group of people who make me feel excited about coming to work every day.