Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc., Judson University, and WT Group provided 12 students from school districts U-46, 300 and 301 internship opportunities showcasing their organizations and the work they do in the region. Through these internships, students were exposed to a wide range of specialties within these career fields including civil, environmental, and structural engineering, architecture, interior and exterior design, surveying, drone technology, computer-aided design applications, 3D modeling, bridge and traffic design projects, etc.
These internships offered a backbone of knowledge for those students wanting to pursue a career in the fields of architecture and civil engineering along with various other professions that are essential to that work. Edgardo Perez Maldonado, chair of the Architecture and Interior Design Department at Judson University, states “we are working with simple elements of architecture, teaching our fellows and interns to understand the principles of design.” Not only were students able to learn the key fundamentals of what it is like to pursue degrees in architecture or civil engineering, but they were able to participate in various activities such as simulating different terrains on a sand table, visiting construction sites, utilizing GIS technology, building bridge prototypes, and flying drones. Yandel Garcia, an intern at HLR and student from Larkin High School, is one of the interns who was able to participate in these creative activities. He goes on to share “It was an awesome week with HLR and another week at Judson to include visits to Risepointe and Anguleris. Both weeks helped merge my goals from what I learned and what I see myself doing in the future.” These were just some of the many things Yandel and his fellow interns experienced during this internship.
Being on-site and observing these interns learn and execute various activities was very awe-inspiring and demonstrated that the fields of architecture and engineering are much more than just science and math as students incorporated the arts, design, and technology in all aspects of the internship. Natalia Najjar, an intern at WT Group from Bartlett High School, states “I learned a lot more about the specific things done by each professional field helping me have a better idea of which one I want to pursue.” This internship allowed students like Natalia, who are considering careers in the fields of architecture, building construction, design, civil engineering, and surveying to get a glimpse of all those professions and the educational preparation necessary to qualify to work in these high-demand fields.
Thank you to Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc., Judson University, and WT Group for providing this comprehensive internship experience for students from Bartlett, Central, Dundee Crown, Hampshire, Jacobs, and Larkin high schools.
Article by Imaan Azeem, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, Elgin High School
Video Producer: Addison Tinerella, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, South Elgin High School
Video Assistant: Imaan Azeem, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, Elgin High School
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