RK&K Welcomes Summer 2022 Interns

Caroline Gilliard

School: University of Delaware

Major: Environmental Engineering

Expected Graduation Date: May 2025

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

At RK&K I work with the Wastewater group which has been a great experience so far. Outside of work I enjoy hiking or exploring outdoors! I’m currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering.

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

I have really enjoyed being able to learn in a hands-on environment. Having the opportunity to do fieldwork and looking at concepts from a professional standpoint has increased my confidence in my engineering abilities. I truly appreciate all the help and knowledge I’ve received from my coworkers here at RK&K!

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

I have helped with improvements projects for the Sod Run Wastewater Treatment Plant as well as the Annapolis water Reclamation Facility and have had the chance to work on many more. I’ve been on field visits to many wastewater plants and even done a site investigation at the Broad Creek Water Storage Tank!

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

Try to get exposure in as many disciplines within the field of civil engineering as you can! There are so many specialties to build a career in (no pun intended) and you might find something you really like!

What is your favorite comfort food?

Macaroni and cheese.

James Dean III

School: University of Maryland

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Expected graduation date: Fall 2024

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

I live in Garrett County, MD. I enjoy hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. I spend most of my off time repairing and maintaining my cars, four-wheelers, chainsaws, and other small engine machines.

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

At the beginning of my internship with RK&K, I was working in the office located in Keyser, WV. I worked on the Clear Water Needs Survey for the Environmental Protection Agency. I modified various plan drawings using AutoCAD Civil 3D. I took infield measurements of a pump station and control station in Oakland, MD and made plan views with these measurements in Civil 3D. I also assisted with surveying in Davis, WV.

After that, I have been working as an inspector with RK&K and the Maryland State Highway Administration. Currently, I am stationed in Friendsville, MD. I have been assigned to inspect traffic barrier upgrades on I-68 from West Virginia’s state line to MD 42.

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

I enjoyed meeting new people and using new software like Civil 3D while at the office in Keyser, WV. I also liked learning about water/wastewater structures for transport and treating water/wastewater.

While with RK&K/SHA, I have enjoyed meeting new people and learning how guard rail is installed. I also enjoy being outside.

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

The biggest thing I have learned while pursuing my degree is to stay dedicated and be willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. I also believe networking is very important.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

Reese’s Peanut Butter cups.

Drew Sullivan

School: University of South Carolina

Major: Civil Engineering, English

Expected Graduation Date: May 2023

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

I started interning at RK&K this May and I work as a College Intern on highway design. I create and edit sheets and roadway design features in MicroStation.

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

I’m grateful for the opportunity this internship has given me to pick up new skills in the office and in-field.

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

In office, I’ve made plan sheets, reference sheets, profile sheets, and collected Design Criteria for a few projects. About two weeks ago I had the chance to travel to Charlotte, NC and assist my team members with bridge inspections.

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

I would recommend getting an internship as soon as possible. It’s a great way to learn more about the field before graduation and you can really learn a lot just from a few months of experience.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

Spaghetti Bolognese!

Sanad Musafer

School: University of North Carolina Charlotte, Go Niners!

Major: Civil Engineering

Expected Graduation Date: December 2023

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

• Born and raised in Garner, NC
• Hobbies: Photography, playing sports (basketball, volleyball, wrestling, tennis), gaming
• First internship working at RK&K with the Geotechnical department

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

Getting all the experience I can get. Whether it’s field work or filling out spreadsheets, it’s all new work for me and I enjoy the experience and learning more about the process of fulfilling a project.

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

I’ve worked on gINT logs, reports, property letters, and other documents for a dozen of projects. Helped create plan sheets, profiles, and designs in MicroStation. I went out for some fieldwork for the following projects:

• Winston-Salem, R-2577A Dual Bridges, staking and drilling.
• Wake Forest, Rogers Road, staking and drilling (all on my own).
• Pea Island Sand Survey, OBX.
• Chattanooga TN, I-24/I-75 Interchange

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

Take on any work you can get. Whether it’s exciting or boring, easy, or challenging, get a hold of that work and get the experience. Coming into this internship, most of what I knew about civil engineering was what I learned in school, which is mostly concepts and theory. I didn’t know much about the major in the real-world workforce. I had a fear that there was a chance I wouldn’t like this career path. I was nervous when I first started, but after two months of working here this summer, I’ve learned so much and I’ve enjoyed every day of it. I try to get any kind of work I can. Sometimes certain assignments will be intimidating at first and I’ll begin to regret asking for it. But I focused in and was able to get the job done successfully, then I’d be glad I took on the challenge. It’s exciting to work on these projects, having left my mark on something that will benefit the community in some way.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

Mama’s food! And if that’s not a choice, a Cookout tray with a milkshake!

Julia Post

School: Virginia Tech

Major: Biological Systems Engineering

Expected Graduation Date: May 2023

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

I am a rising senior at Virginia Tech studying Biological Systems Engineering, and I am also minoring in both Green Engineering and Spanish. I am from Leesburg, VA and have been a water resources intern for RK&K since May 2022 at the Fairfax Office. Since I have been at RK&K, I have gotten the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. Some of these tasks have included open channel design, culvert design, hydrologic analyses, and even Best Management Practice (BMP) Inspections in the field! In my free time, I enjoy cooking, hiking, running, and spending time with friends and family.

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

One of my favorite aspects about this internship is the fact that no two projects are the same. Each project is unique, which has kept my summer at RK&K very exciting and filled with plenty of interesting tasks to do. I also enjoy working with the people at the office and making connections that can last beyond this internship.

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

One of the largest projects I have worked on throughout my internship was a Drainage Study in Harrisonburg, VA. In a neighborhood along a tributary of Blacks Run, there has been a lot of flooding for some houses built immediately in the floodplain. With this project, I simulated multiple hydrologic events in HEC-HMS and got to design an open channel representing the tributary running through the study area.

Other projects that I have worked on include working on the Waterfront in Old Town, Alexandria, private BMP inspections in Arlington County, stormwater surveillance in Old Town, Alexandria, and (most recently) working on the Stormwater Retrofit Project in the Broad Branch Watershed.

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

I would tell them to go the extra mile. Whether that be pertaining to applying for jobs, working as an intern, or even taking classes, taking the extra step, and working hard will lead you to more opportunities. Once these opportunities present themselves to you, it’s important for you to take them on. That way, you will gain more experience and have a better feeling on what career you are most interested in pursuing.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

My favorite comfort food is anything that has to do with pasta!

Michael Keisler

School: University of South Carolina

Major: Civil and Environmental Engineering

Expected Graduation Date: May 2023

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

I am originally from Lexington, South Carolina, and am currently a senior at University of South Carolina, studying Civil Engineering. In my free time I enjoy almost any physical activity. For instance, you’ll commonly find me weightlifting, doing MMA or Jiu Jitsu, wakeboarding, skating, mountain biking, etc. My social life consists of hanging out with friends on the lake or travelling. At RK&K, I am working with the Roadway team assisting with all parts of the design process necessary to the efficient completion of active projects. Also, with any extra time I have, I have been helping with the Hydro team in completing Critical Route Maps.

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

So far, what I have enjoyed most has been the process of learning a new program. Previously, I have had no experience using Microstation or Geopak, whereas now it is has become something I use daily and have gained more confidence and comfort in using the software. Aside from that, meeting all these new people and creating relationships has also been cool.

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

So far, the projects I have worked on are mostly intersection and bridge redesigns. I have assisted in small jobs along the overall process of each project including making shapes, creating cross-sections and profiles, putting sheets together, labeling sheets, doing quantities like asphalt and earthwork, etc. Additionally, I have recently been doing work for the Hydro team, creating critical route maps.

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

The main advice I would give anyone starting their career in engineering or any other industry would be to make connections and work as much as possible. If your resume has no experience when you are graduating college, you are already going to be behind in comparison to the ones who are doing internships, and co-ops, and working in labs even. I would say that the more experience you have in the industry of your desire the better.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

I am not big on finding comfort in foods, because I am annoyingly healthy. However, if I had to choose one food that I would consider a comfort food, it would hands-down be ice cream. I could eat ice cream for every meal for the rest of my life, even though it would shorten my life, and be completely content.

Hana Escovar

School: Johns Hopkins University

Major: Environmental Engineering

Expected Graduation Date: May 2022 (Bachelors) and December 2022 (Masters)

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

I am working with the wastewater group with RK&K. I recently graduated for the first-time last May with my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and I became an EIT in late February. I am almost done with my Master’s degree as well and I will graduate again in the fall. In my free time I love to go ballroom and swing dancing and while at home I spend a lot of time with my embroidery hoops and crochet needles.

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

I love that when I started my internship at RK&K I gained a family. I can ask any of my coworkers for help or advice and they will usually spend time to explain it to me or at least set me in the right direction. Everyone is very encouraging, and I feel very lucky to have such a great support system.

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

I recently helped to write a proposal for updating the Middletown Wastewater Treatment Plant and am currently helping develop a feasibility study to improve the performance of the Millsboro Wastewater Treatment Facility. I have been amazed by the number of projects an engineer here works on day to day and was glad to have the opportunity to help with a little of everything every day!

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

Ask for help when you need it. Professors, peers, and coworkers can usually help you find a solution or someone else who can help you. One of my supervisors here said a good rule of thumb for when you need help is if you don’t make any progress with your efforts for an hour, it is time to ask for help.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

I love making a quick quesadilla when I need something yummy!

Dylan Bernard

School: West Virginia University

Major: Civil Engineering

Expected Graduation Date: May 2023

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

I am pursuing a degree in civil engineering with my focus being on structures. I have been interning in the structures department where I have helped with a variety of bridge and culvert inspections as well as some basic design work and quantities estimation in the office.

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

I really enjoy being outside, so getting to go out in the field to see different bridges and perform inspections on them have been my favorite part of the internship so far.

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

I got to spend an entire week doing snooper work on Hanover Street Bridge, which was one of the cooler, but also more run-down bridges I have gotten to inspect so far with RK&K. Another few of the larger projects that I was tasked with includes the calculation of material and surface area quantities of various bridges.

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

Unlike college, everything that you will learn in an internship is practical to the work that will be done as a full-time worker in the civil engineering field. I came into this internship with no design coursework completed (concrete, steel, and foundation) and that has not in any way hindered my efforts doing design work or my ability to analyze the different components of bridge inspection. You will be learning a lot in your first few weeks so come ready to learn and soak in as much information as possible.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

My favorite comfort food would have to be a spicy chicken deluxe from Chick-fil-a.

Bryson Bey

School: Virginia Tech

Major: Civil Engineering

Expected Graduation Date: December 2022

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

I am 23 years old, born and raised in Northern New Jersey. I have always had a passion for Civil Engineering and only recently decided that construction was the sub-discipline I would start my professional career in. For the past 3 months I have been a field intern at RK&K having the opportunity to assist the Construction Manager, Resident Engineers and Field Engineers that are working hard on the Purple Line project right above the D.C area.

What has been your favorite thing about your internship?

My favorite thing about my internship is being able to travel back and forth from the office to the site and seeing the things we draw up being built in real time.

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

Since starting my internship I have worked on:

• The completion of a bus loop station.
• Fixing a Mechanically Stabilized Earth retaining wall.
• A lot of utility relocation around the track alignment.
• Applying thermoplastic road markings on fresh pavement.

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

When starting your career in Civil Engineering whether as an intern or full-time remember to not sit around waiting for someone to give you more things to do. If you want to excel within your profession you will need to be prepared to ask for more responsibility yourself.

What is your favorite comfort food?

My favorite comfort food is a good Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich made the right way with all the toppings.

Matt Gallagher

School: University of Delaware

Major: Civil Engineering

Expected Graduation Date: May 2023

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

At RK&K I have been given the opportunity to work on Stopping Sight Distance calculations, drainage area delineations, AutoTurn curve checks, and even mapping alternate transportation routes for critical areas.

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

My favorite thing about this internship has been the experience I gained working with MicroStation and getting more familiar with the software because I know it will be so important in my career. I also value the people I have worked with making it easy to learn here at RK&K.

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

I have spent most of my time working on the SR-1 Widening project doing stopping sight distance calculations as well as checking curves to ensure they are fit for the worst-case scenario being a large truck.

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

Something I have done but still need to work on is to keep asking questions. I would advise my peers to ask questions and get as much experience as possible in the civil engineering field if they are looking to start their careers.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

My favorite comfort food is Extra Cheddar Flavor Blasted Goldfish.

Caroline Allmon

School: Virginia Tech

Major: Civil Engineering

Expected Graduation Date: May 2024

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

I am going into my junior year at Virginia Tech. In my free time I like to bake, read, go outdoors, and spend time with my friends and family.

At RK&K I assist with CAD drawings, GIS, database searches, data entry, data interpretation, formatting, and assembling printed plans and papers. I also go out in the field and sit in on meetings whenever I get the chance.

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

Seeing the practical applications of all the things I am learning at school and having an amazing mentor who answers all my questions

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

• Pump Station 60 Phase 1 Design
• Norview – Estabrook FM – Lasalle Ave, Chesapeake Blvd, and Robinhood Rd
• Small Communities Rehabilitation Phase V
• Systematic Flashing Yellow Arrow Improvements Phase 2
• North Shore Automated Valving

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

Ask as many questions as you can, go out in the field whenever possible, and get exposure to CAD and GIS.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

Mashed potatoes.

Colin Armentrout

School: University of Delaware

Major: Construction Engineering and Management

Expected Graduation Date: June 2025

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K

I am 18 years old from Kingsville, MD. I had done construction work for two years before college, which is what influenced me to study it in college. I have assisted on various surveying sites as well as apprentice inspectors on different roadways and buildings.

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

I’ve really enjoyed getting to see behind the scenes on all these different sites but also seeing the various jobs and their roles that they play in each project.

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

I’ve worked on inspection jobs for the DART buildings in and around Wilmington, roadway inspection job on Cameo Road, and surveying job all along Walnut Street.

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, just learn from them and improve upon it. You can’t expect to ever reach your full capability without taking risks.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

Tacos.

Jonathan Bing

School: University of Maryland College Park

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Expected Graduation Date: May 2024

Tell us about yourself and what you do at RK&K.

This summer I have been working as a college intern at RK&K at the Baltimore office. I am on a rotating schedule spending time in the Traffic department, Structures department, and Construction Management department. I have been working on detour plans, doing bridge inspections, and helping at different construction sites around Maryland.

What’s been your favorite thing about your internship?

So far, my favorite thing that I have done at RK&K was a Hanover Bridge inspection. I got to go out with another team member at RK&K and conduct an inspection of the Hanover Bridge. It was fascinating to learn how to do an inspection along with getting to do the inspection.

What projects have you worked on during your internship?

My projects to date include:

• High Friction Surface Treatment detour routes for onramps and offramps for I-495 and I-270
• Prepared information for potential P3 project in Atlanta Georgia which is going to add express lanes to the Atlanta beltway.
• Cost estimation work for multiple bridges in Virginia and Pennsylvania.
• Bridge Inspections for the Hanover Street Bridge, Pretty Boy Dam Bridge, and others
• Confined Space inspections for Pretty Boy Dam and other bridges throughout Baltimore.
• Development work at the Port Covington Construction Site
• Worked on building a program to automate all metric calculation for different Construction Schedules.

What advice would you give to your peers looking to start their career in civil engineering?

One piece of advice I would give to other civil engineering students is to try to look at plans for different projects. One of the challenges I had when I first started was analyzing project plans for all the departments I worked within. They are confusing at first but are all similar.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

Mac and cheese.