Hands-on experience patrolling a corps of Engineers project
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
Be ready for a LOT of strenuous activity
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Economics intern
May 2020 • Buffalo, NY
What I liked
It was full time and paid in a field that I was really interested in. It was also all virtual to accommodate to the current environment.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have started in person to meet more of my coworkers.
Advice
Don’t be afraid to take the opportunities which present themselves in front of you, even if you feel as though you aren’t experience enough.
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Regulatory Specialist
June - September 2020 • Brookfield, WI
What I liked
For conservation biologists, the Army Corps provides plenty of challenges and opportunity for professional and personal advancement. My co-workers and supervisors were top-notch and truly cared about protecting the environment. I welcomed and received both positive feedback and constructive criticism from my supervisors. The Corps is always improving it's internal management processes, for instance, increasing diversity and inclusion, offering open and frank opportunities for discussions about social and political changes in the country, and listening to feedback from employees.
What I wish was different
N/a
Advice
Do well at an internship and you may be offered a permanent position in the future. Good job for those who like problem solving and are comfortable making decisions after thoughtful review of project proposals. There's always room to learn more and always plenty of projects to keep you busy.
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Financial Management Intern (Public Sector)
September - December 2019 • Memphis, TN
What I liked
The environment
What I wish was different
It is the federal government job
Advice
a good place to start
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Intern
May - August 2019 • Anchorage, AK
What I liked
My team
What I wish was different
Advice
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Student Trainee Engineer
June 2019 • Buffalo, NY
What I liked
The US Army Corps of Engineers was a great opportunity to get in field construction experience in order to connect structural design to construction and the constraints construction presents
What I wish was different
I wish I was able to do more design work overall
Advice
I would recommend QA positions to any studying engineering student in order to understand construction contracts and the engineer to contractor relationship
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Park Ranger
January 2019 • Smartsville, CA
What I liked
Every aspect of the job. Mix of outdoors and office work.
What I wish was different
I wish I would have held more events with the public.
Advice
Enjoy every moment of being a student park ranger.
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Cost Engineer Intern
May - August 2019 • Kansas City, MO
What I liked
The Corp was a great opportunity to learn about the real world and how an engineering firm works. I got plenty help and the team was very friendly.
What I wish was different
I wanted to sit a little closer to my boss as to ask questions easier.
Advice
The government is a great place to work with great hours and plenty of helpful people.
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Student Legal Intern
June - September 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
The organization, people, and type of work was all wonderful.
What I wish was different
I wish I had started earlier in the month of June.
Advice
Government work is worth it, even if only for student internships.
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Habitat Technician, GS 05
May - August 2019 • Yankton, SD
What I liked
I had a blast this summer working on the management and monitoring of Piping Plovers, Least Tern and Pallid Sturgeon. These species are all either threatened or endangered and I fell in love with the conservation work. I also got to work with a lot of really awesome influential people. I had countless opportunities to show my independence as well as my ability to collaborate with a team of many different entities in the field of wildlife and fisheries. I also got to work with many people at different stages in their careers.
What I wish was different
I wish the seasonal position would have been a longer appointment. Due to the high water events It was unfortunately cut shorter than what was first anticipated.
Advice
Take the time to learn from those you work with and never be afraid to ask questions.
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Summer Hire - Student Economist
May - August 2019 • Chicago, IL
What I liked
My experience with the Army Corps (the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USACE) provided me with the opportunity to apply theoretical economic concepts to real-world concerns. As a summer hire, with a background in economics and finance, I was shown that if I could swim 'with the big fish' I would be provided with projects that were suited to my capabilities; this show of trust allowed me to flourish in a professional setting. In addition to the meaningful and 'greater-purpose'-driven work my seniors (and supervisor) constantly sought out ways to challenge and provide opportunities for more enterprise-focused training. This experience was an amazing experience and I truly believe that this experience was representative of what a true career would entail.
What I wish was different
The only difference I would have hoped for was the location of my work environment; I was woefully (initially) unprepared for the chaos that is Chicago morning commute rush.
Advice
I highly recommend that interested parties reach out to those divisions (of USACE) that they believe that they would succeed at and ask to meet with a member of the section to which they would be assigned. Each division of USACE has specific functions and though they share project workloads (across the entire enterprise) finding that location that would be uniquely special to you would enable you to start off on a strong foot while being comfortable in your environment.
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Pathways Intern
May 2019 • New York City, NY
What I liked
The broad range of projects that the company is involved in.
What I wish was different
I worked at the Division level which consists of mostly Project Managers so I did get to see as much technical work as I would have liked.
Advice
Ask questions, listen to learn, and make connections. The Army Corps and Department of Defense in general so diverse as far as career paths that even if you don't intern for the exact team you would want to work with post graduation, they will likely be able to connect you with someone who is doing something more aligned with the work you would like to do.
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Hydraulic Engineering Intern
June - August 2019 • St. Louis, MO
What I liked
The people I worked with and the real-world experience were both enriching experiences to have over the course of one summer.
