Internships: Where Talent Meets Opportunity

As we celebrate National Intern Day, Ross & Baruzzini reflects on the continuing impact of our intern program. This program is a key part of our success, from fostering growth and education in the A/E industry to adding to our talented employee resources. Since 2016, Ross & Baruzzini has had 45 interns, 18 of who received full-time offers of employment with 90% accepting the offer to join the firm. Each year, we strive to add more interns and new graduates.

We recently sat down with a few interns turned full-time employees to learn what they said about our program.

Dan Phelan, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Director of Operations - Kansas City Office, Project Manager

First Intern - With Ross & Baruzzini since 2010                                                         

Q: What drew you to Ross & Baruzzini’s internship program?

A: During my first internship, I knew someone who worked in Ross & Baruzzini Corporate, and after hearing how highly this person spoke of the firm, I pursued the internship opportunity. Plus, the firm’s size was attractive. Being a smaller firm compared to the “normal, larger” players at my school’s career fair, I felt I had a better chance of learning more in the short three-month window that makes up a summer internship.

Q: What impact did the internship have on your real-world experience and education?

A: My internship both introduced me to the world of A/E consulting engineering and affirmed that I wanted to establish a career in this field. It also taught me the “business” side of engineering, something school barely touches on. Theoretical research and profit rarely go hand-in-hand.

Q: Why did you choose to come back to Ross & Baruzzini after graduation? 

A: Having been given the opportunity to intern with the firm two summers in a row, I felt right at home with the culture and mission of Ross & Baruzzini. The growth mindset and willingness to promote within the firm made my decision an easy one. Plus, I made many friends after two summers.

Annie Smith, PE, CEM, LEED, BEMP, Director of Energy Services, Mechanical Engineer

With Ross & Baruzzini since 2012

Q: What impact did the internship have on your real-world experience and education?

A: My internship prepared me by giving me real-world experience that allowed me to apply some of the things I’d learned in school. As my first boss would say “In school, you learn the science of engineering. But here in the real world, we’ll teach you the art of engineering.”

Q: Why did you choose to come back to Ross & Baruzzini after graduation? 

A: Ross & Baruzzini has a great culture and I work with wonderful people. The environment is a good balance of work hard/play hard.

Q: To you, how was the Ross & Baruzzini internship program different from other companies?

A: Our internship program has a proven track record of hiring interns into full-time positions. The summer is essentially a three-month interview. If you do good work, you get short-listed for a full-time position if it’s available. That’s how a number of others and myself have come into the fold.

Dylan Clayton, Mechanical Engineer

With Ross & Baruzzini since 2016

 

Q: What drew you to Ross & Baruzzini’s internship program?

A: What really excited me about the program was the potential for the internship to turn into a full-time job when I was done with school. I had talked to Dan Phelan and Jeff Crawford (Ross & Baruzzini’s Director of Higher Education & Research) at Mizzou’s career fair and Dan had informed me that he used to be an intern (I believe he was Ross & Baruzzini’s first-ever intern) and he had been working at Ross & Baruzzini ever since.

Q: What impact did the internship have on your real-world experience and education?

A: My internship provided valuable experience for me by allowing me to interact with professional engineers and understand how the consulting industry operated. The education I received during my internship was extremely valuable. By the end of my internship, I had become familiar with Revit which gave me a leg up on finding a job after I graduated. I also learned a lot more about the technical side of HVAC design which would have been helpful in a job search as well.

Q: Why did you choose to come back to Ross & Baruzzini after graduation? 

A: I had enjoyed my time as an intern with Ross & Baruzzini and felt it was a place I could continue to grow and learn as I advance through my career.

Q: To you, how was the Ross & Baruzzini internship program different from other companies?

A: Ross & Baruzzini’s internship program was the only one that I experienced, but its track record speaks for itself with regard to hiring and growing people from within. Dan Phelan is now head of the KC office. Annie Smith (who was my mentor) is now Director of Energy. Ben Brooks is head of our fire protection group. For students/interns who want a place where they can grow and learn as they start their careers, I find it hard to believe there is a better place than Ross & Baruzzini.

Michelle Wehmeyer, Mechanical Engineer

With Ross & Baruzzini since 2018

Q: What drew you to Ross & Baruzzini’s internship program?

A: I found Ross & Baruzzini through a career fair at my school. I talked with Annie Smith (now Director of Energy), who was also a dual major like myself, and she made me realize that I could aim outside of my educational majors for a career path.

Q: What impact did the internship have on your real-world experience and education?

A: My first internship was a good basis for my future here. It made me want to switch my career path from Architecture/Civil Engineering to Mechanical Engineering. Educationally, I learned more at my first internship about HVAC than I did in an HVAC class I took the following semester in school.

Q: Why did you choose to come back to Ross & Baruzzini after graduation? 

A: The culture within Ross & Baruzzini made me want to push for more, knowing that I could move around/up within the company more easily, while also having a solid mentor group, than in bigger companies.

Q: To you, how was the Ross & Baruzzini internship program different from other companies?

A: It was more interactive than my previous internship. More opportunity in the field, more exposure to different career paths, and more social activity in and out of the workplace. It also had a larger group of interns (10 at that time). It was fun to have colleagues of similar age, providing discussion on what we were learning across the disciplines and markets. I also liked the intern project and lunches, which were good opportunities for interaction.

Neil Morris, Electrical Technician

With Ross & Baruzzini since 2019

 

Q: What drew you to Ross & Baruzzini’s internship program?

A: I was immediately attracted to the Internship program offered by Ross & Baruzzini because of their great reputation throughout the engineering consulting industry.  While researching the company, I was happy to discover the diversity of projects as well as the many areas of engineering expertise offered by Ross & Baruzzini. This eclectic work portfolio exhibited many projects in both domestic and global markets. I was excited to learn about Ross & Baruzzini’s relationship with their parent company, DAR, and Ross & Baruzzini’s acquisition of other engineering firms, each with their own areas of expertise.  As an intern with this company, I would be exposed to a variety of projects. Having researched other companies I felt that Ross & Baruzzini offered the best opportunity to learn from experienced engineers, working on a variety of projects in areas not only in local markets but also domestically and globally. 

Q: What impact did the internship have on your real-world experience and education?

A: I was challenged from day one, working with my mentors and project leaders. I quickly realized the skills and knowledge needed to be a valuable team member. I was motivated to learn and sharpen my skillset. Everyone with whom I have worked with has taken the time to help me become more competent and efficient.  The knowledge and skills that I learn on the job go hand in hand with my education. I am constantly reminded of all the areas of knowledge needed to become a valuable asset to this company.  I take great comfort in knowing that although my education outside of work is coming to an end, my education here with Ross & Baruzzini will continue on.

Q: Why did you choose to come back to Ross & Baruzzini after graduation? 

A: The company culture that has been created here would be tough to beat. I am always happy to arrive and enjoy my time working with my team members. I am constantly learning and being challenged while sharing many laughs throughout the day. Plus there are always company events and celebrations to look forward to, unrelated to work.  In addition to the pleasant work environment, I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by experienced industry leaders who take the time to mentor me and care about my professional development.

Q: To you, how was the Ross & Baruzzini internship program different from other companies?

A: Having spent the last year with my cohorts, I have learned about other students’ internship experiences. Although I cannot speak for everyone, it seems that most internships outside of Ross & Baruzzini have provided a narrower focus on professional development. The software programs focused on CAD drafting skills seem to be the common skill employers are seeking. I believe my internship experience has been extremely beneficial because I have been able to use programs outside of drafting, necessary for understanding the electrical distribution system and how each piece of equipment relates to the overall design. I am just excited for school to end and full workdays to begin!

Ross & Baruzzini is always looking to add talented individuals to our internship program.

For more information about the open positions, go to http://www.rossbar.com/about-us/careers/