For engineering and construction organizations competing for early-career talent, internships can serve as more than short-term staffing programs. Project exposure, mentorship and professional development can influence whether graduates remain with an organization after completing their education. RICK Engineering recently highlighted five employees whose paths from internships or entry-level positions developed into longer-term careers with the company.
RICK Engineering's early-career employees have gained experience through assignments involving civil engineering, public works, water resources and site development.
Ricardo Elias joined RICK's Las Vegas office after college and worked with the Colorado team on the Grantsville project in Utah. The assignment provided experience with Civil 3D and collaboration with personnel from multiple offices. Elias had previously completed internships with Caltrans and WSP before selecting RICK for his first full-time engineering position.
Allyson Serafico-Tran began with RICK as an intern while studying at San Diego State University. She later joined the organization full time and worked on One Alexandria Square, a 22.2-acre biotechnology research campus in La Jolla. Her responsibilities have included site utilities, grading, drainage and surface improvements through multiple phases of the development.
Callum McRae also began through an extended internship while completing his master's degree at San Diego State University. RICK accommodated his academic schedule, allowing him to gain project experience while completing his studies. The organization also supported his participation in a California Stormwater Quality Association conference after his research was accepted for presentation.
RICK's examples also include employees who entered through public works internships and received direct exposure to active projects.
Olivia Gee joined the Public Works group as an engineering intern in June 2024 before progressing to an assistant engineering designer role. Her internship included both technical assignments and other office responsibilities, while coaching from more experienced staff helped her develop workplace and project-management skills.
Yefri Organis joined the Public Works Department as an engineering intern in June 2025. One of his early assignments involved the Paseo Del Norte Guard Rail Project, where he participated in the guardrail design process. The project provided an opportunity to connect engineering work with an installed public infrastructure asset.
The five employees now hold roles ranging from assistant engineering designer to principal project engineer and associate water resources designer. Their career paths include continued involvement in professional organizations, mentoring and outreach activities.
For construction and engineering employers, early-career programs can create a pipeline from student internships into full-time technical positions. RICK Engineering's examples show several approaches, including extended internships, project assignments, cross-office collaboration, technical development, conference participation and mentoring.
For owners and contractors, stronger early-career pipelines can also help engineering teams develop personnel with familiarity with project workflows and organizational standards before they take on more advanced responsibilities.
Source: RICK.
