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Brandon Turske, PE, civil engineer at Davis & Floyd (D|F), is one of the many hires that went through D|F’s Co-Op and Internship Program. After completing three rotations, he was hired and became a mentor in the very program he completed.

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With personal experience, Brandon helped develop additional aids for students to understand topics, such as barriers for inlet protection.

“We found that co-ops were struggling to understand the concept,” comments Brandon. “So, we prepared a presentation for when they first begin to learn about Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs).

The program has created several presentations for co-ops in addition to an in-depth training manual. D|F maximizes resources by including recently completed projects.

“Our structured training program utilizes completed projects as examples for students to learn from,” shares Casey Tompkins, PHR, SHRM-CP, D|F’s Director of Talent and Culture. “Once trained, they join the design team with opportunities to solve problems and observe the impact of civil engineering.”

Part of joining the design team begins with using Civil 3D, an AutoCAD product for drafting construction plans.

“Starting with this program allows them to develop drafting skills by turning hand-drawn designs into professional computerized plans. As they get comfortable navigating the software, we introduce co-ops to designing pipe networks, preparing grading plans, and laying out utilities,” says Brandon.

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D|F training, however, goes beyond computer programs. The Co-Op and Internship Program provides students with formative and realistic experiences in the engineering industry.

“A typical project will require approval, review, and confirmation from owners, local governments, utility companies, and zoning departments of a site and its layout,” he mentions. “Co-ops are often tasked with filling out forms and coordinating with agencies to find required documents. In performing these tasks, they develop email etiquette and gain confidence in coordinating on the phone.”

The mentors, including Brandon, also recognize the importance of problem-solving by letting interns discover solutions for themselves. “A tricky part in training is letting students spend time struggling with a concept because you want to help,” he says. “However, we have found directing the co-ops towards references to answer their questions instead of simply answering their questions, they end up learning more, gaining a better understanding and appreciation for the topic.”

Brandon continues to mentor students in the D|F Co-Op and Internship Program, fervent to share his knowledge with his mentees.

“We are eager for our students to begin their civil engineering careers and start to independently develop the community around them,” he proudly shares.

To learn more about the Davis & Floyd’s Co-Op and Internship Program, click here.