IEA’s Next Generation: Interns Growing into Full-Time Roles
IEA Aspire, our internship program, is designed to provide interns with a strong foundation in civil engineering. Through hands-on projects, networking opportunities, and cross-disciplinary training, interns gain technical expertise and develop professional connections while making meaningful contributions to IEA’s projects.
We are proud to spotlight several former interns who have seamlessly transitioned into full-time roles, demonstrating how our program nurtures talent and fosters career growth.
INTERN EXPERIENCE
At IEA Aspire, interns work on real projects under the guidance of dedicated mentors. This experience helps them grow foundational skill sets that can be applied to real-world situations, building their confidence and capabilities.
Former intern Lindsey Salisbury, now a Marketing Assistant, highlights the program’s impact: “Having a dedicated mentor has been invaluable—someone I feel comfortable approaching with questions, who understands my work style and how I process new information. The support from IEA as a whole has also been instrumental in helping me grow and reach my full potential.”
Graduate Engineer Yubak shares some of the critical skills he gained through the program: “During my internship, I learned three major skills communication, OpenRoad Designer and how to incorporate Roadway Design Manual with our design. Even though they were basic, but it helped me to see the bigger picture during the design process..”
TRANSITION TO FULL-TIME
IEA Aspire ensures that interns are well-prepared to transition into full-time roles. The program’s mentorship and training give them the tools to thrive as they take on greater responsibilities and more complex tasks.
Reflecting on his transition, Yubak shares: “When I transitioned from intern to full-time employee, it was smooth like butter. One year of internship prepared me very well and I was able to catch up with EITs and Design engineers as needed. I was able to focus more on design tasks and had better understanding of designs.”
Lindsey credits her seamless transition to the program’s support: “The transition to a full-time role was smooth, thanks to the support of the fantastic IEA marketing team. Having a dedicated mentor, made a huge difference in navigating the shift from intern to full-time employee and helped me quickly get up to speed.”
Justin shares how transitioning to a full-time role expanded on the skills he gained as an intern: “The transition from intern to full-time involved more in-depth detail in the day-to-day tasks. I had the opportunity to be involved more in the calculations and had more time to learn how they revolved around one another. Learning these calculations and how to use the software’s in H&H was extremely helpful.”
THE VALUE OUR FORMER INTERNS BRING
Former interns have become a cornerstone of IEA’s success. Their fresh ideas, strong work ethic, and eagerness to contribute have made them invaluable members of our team.
Our program leaders—Bryan Alldredge, Wilson Wong, and Kyle Moynihan—have seen firsthand how the Aspire program has driven both individual and company growth. By providing real-world project experience and mentorship, the program prepares interns to excel as graduate engineers.
Bryan shares: “Our Aspire program provides interns with a strong foundation, ensuring they’re well-prepared to transition into full-time roles. Through hands-on experience on real-world projects and guidance from seasoned mentors, they develop practical skills and the confidence needed to excel as graduate engineers from their very first day.”
MENTORSHIP AND CAREER GROWTH: CULTIVATING LEADERS WITHIN IEA
IEA’s mentorship doesn’t stop after the internship ends. Former interns are encouraged to guide the next generation, fostering a culture of learning and support within the company.
Yubak reflects on his rewarding experience mentoring new interns: “I was really surprised when I was chosen as one of the champions for new interns. While assisting them, I realized how much I have grown myself. I had so much experience I wanted to share with them, and with the IEA Aspire program, I was able to do so. I enjoyed it a lot teaching them.”
Beyond the Aspire program, IEA invests in continuous learning for all employees through initiatives such as our Lunch N Learn series, which provides monthly training on software, skill sets, and other topics relevant to engineers at various levels. Additionally, our PM Training Series ensures that project managers and senior engineers stay up-to-date with the latest trends and knowledge in the industry.
Through programs like IEA Aspire, we aim to shape the future of civil engineering by cultivating a supportive environment where interns can thrive, seamlessly transition to full-time roles, and ultimately mentor the next generation of engineers.
