Adam Darveaux

In my internship at a railroad bridge repair company the last two summers, I got firsthand civil engineering experience in the office and on site. In the office I assisted in the analysis of loads and supports on existing and proposed railroad bridge structures to select proper structural elements to be installed. I performed analysis by hand and by using the computer software AutoCAD and Mathcad. Additionally, I interpreted existing plan documents to determine how best to approach the repair process. I also assisted the lead project manager with tasks such as ordering project material, arranging deliveries, coordinating and scheduling, and document/permit submissions. In the field, I assisted in the construction of a replacement railroad bridge. I was involved in pile driving, precast installation, substructure assembly, and demolition of the old bridge. I also became familiar with railroad protocol and had to communicate effectively within this system.

I am currently in my junior year of courses at Iowa State. I have found that some classes helped me in my previous internship experience more than others did. I applied knowledge from courses like Statics and Mechanics of Materials, as well as many mathematics classes whose concepts underlie higher engineering applications. I was surprised to find that the content taught in these courses translates very closely to the work that is done in the real profession. I am eager to continue my course pathway with classes more specific to the civil engineering discipline, such as Structural Analysis, Steel Design, Concrete Design, Geotechnical Engineering, and more.

On campus at ISU, I am a member of the George Washington Carver Scholastic Leadership program. This is a cohort that focuses on merging academic excellence with community engagement through meaningful interactions among our peers. In this program, I have formed many relationships and gained many different perspectives on the diverse human condition. I feel this cohort has been extremely influential in building my interpersonal skills. The activities of this involvement have improved my leadership, communication, and awareness. Specific leadership events that are facilitated through this program include seminars, symposiums, presentations, and public campus events.

I am also involved in ISU Theme Park Engineering and Design. This is a club that meets twice a week to design and build a model roller coaster ride to showcase at the national Ride Engineering Competition between other schools. Constraints and parameters are given out at the beginning of the year, and the ride is judged on several categories including innovation, functionality, creativity, safety, and technical reporting. Model rides adhere to real industry protocol and ASTM standards of design. Previous projects placed third on the national level.

As I continue my education in civil engineering, I am eager to supplement this with real industry experience through internships, co-ops, or other work experience. I am looking to pursue eventual licensure in the profession with the possibility of earning a master’s degree. My short-term goal is to intern at a civil engineering firm while I am earning my undergraduate degree at ISU. My primary interests are in Structural Engineering and Bridge Design, although my eagerness to gain experience of any kind broadens my scope to many other subdisciplines. In my previous internship, I gained experience in both office and field work and based on this I am looking to aim to my future in a consulting or design firm.

As a prospective engineering intern, I believe I have much value to add to whatever team of which I might be a member. My most prominent “soft skills” include empathy, personal connection, strong work ethic, and high motivation. Some technical skills I possess are a strong understanding of fundamental engineering concepts, attention to technical details, analytical abilities, and the use of computer applications such as AutoCAD, Mathcad, Civil3D, Revit, and various Microsoft software. I work well with team members, although my preferred style of work is to consider the task independently before collaborating in a group.

Besides my professional ambitions, my personal hobbies include being outdoors, classic literature, and spending time with friends and family.