End of Internship Reflection:

My time at my internship with RS&H has been incredibly valuable to my journey of self-discovery and understanding of engineering as a future career path. Ever since I was younger, engineering has been the clear path for me. I started taking such classes as far back as the 4th grade. Solving problems, recognizing patterns, and re-evaluation are aspects of life that I have developed a deep understanding for, and have come to greatly respect. As someone who loves to learn and expand their viewpoints, this internship was extremely fulfilling. Not only has this experience reinforced my passion for sustainability, but it has also granted me experience and understanding in various other fields of engineering. 

For example, prior to my internship I had little to no experience in aviation, but now I feel that I have gained months worth of experience in aviation-adjacent fields. So much so that I would even consider pursuing such a career later in my life. Aside from standard knowledge and facts, I also learned how to function within a professional work environment. Communication was my biggest hurdle during this time period. I was unaware of how much communication was needed in a real corporate setting. I now know that the work I do is not only for myself or a grade, but other people also rely on my ability to complete tasks. Throughout high school, no one but myself was dependent on my work, other than the occasional group project. After being in the workplace for an entire school year, I have come to the realization that in the real-world there are others dependent on your work. Now not only am I judged for my work, but other people such as co-workers or clients are also dependent on the work I put out. This has also affected my quality of work, as many things are no longer focused on merely participation. 

As for the effect my internship has had on my future, I am more excited than ever to pursue an engineering-based career. I want to make a difference and I am now entirely sure that an engineering route will be most beneficial to my long-term goals. Because I was able to work with so many different groups during my internship, I have gained the exposure I need to really decide which field of engineering is for me. Currently, I am committed to Georgia Tech for Environmental Engineering, a vital decision that would have been much harder had I not been exposed to so many options. 

Overall, I am forever grateful for this extortionary opportunity.  It may sound dramatic, but I believe this internship has genuinely helped shape the course of my future. I have learned things that I otherwise would not be able to so early on in my career. This has given me a step up to the real world, and I feel very prepared for what is to come. I want to thank Ms. White and Steve Cote for their mentoring and patience towards me as I navigate my way through the engineering world. I will carry my newly developed skills into college as I further my education at Georgia Tech.