Making a Difference: Dunaway’s Class of 2024 Interns
Dunaway prides itself on being ‘different,’ which extends to our internship program. Dunaway attends career fairs in the spring and the fall and offers both focused and rotating internships, depending upon the interns’ tenure in school and their desired area of focus. The internship experience involves a variety of opportunities and events, all of which result in learning technical and professional skills and having a little bit of fun!
But do not just take our word for it! As our internship program wrapped up this August, we asked our participants what they enjoyed most and why they chose to work with Dunaway.
Here is what they had to say about their experience:
What makes our internship program different? Our program provides:
Real-world experience: Dunaway offers interns hands-on experience working on actual projects, not just scenarios – providing invaluable exposure to the industry and allowing interns to see the practical application of their skills. As our Intern, Rita Halphen, explains, “I enjoyed the opportunity to do ‘real’ work and feel like I made an impact on the projects I got to help with.”
Multidiscipline Approach: Our goal is to be the leading independent multi-discipline firm in Texas, so it is only fitting that we provide our students with a variety of focuses to choose from – ranging from civil and structural engineering to planning + landscape architecture, in addition to surveying and even marketing. As our intern, Diego Rodriguez, recalled, “The most valuable thing I learned here at Dunaway was how important it is to have that connection within each office because we are all one team, regardless of our differences in location or discipline.”
Professional development: Beyond technical skills, Dunaway’s internship program emphasizes communication, teamwork, and project management skills through company events.“My favorite part of the internship is all the real-world projects we get to be a part of – knowing that you are not just doing busy work but contributing,” recalls Nick Martinez. This prepares interns for success not just in their internship but also in their future careers.
My favorite part of the internship is all the real-world projects we get to be a part of – knowing that you are not just doing busy work but contributing.
”Intern leads from all office locations oversee our program and thoroughly enjoy working with the students. As Project Engineer, Kyle Van Hoeck, PE, in our Austin office, explains, “I enjoyed having the opportunity to take the interns to several site visits around the central Texas region. I led them through a tour of a project currently in construction, and I was really impressed with their curiosity about specific structural-related design items and the construction process being actively performed on-site, and their desire to have a holistic understanding.”
Focused and rotating options: Tailoring opportunities to the interns’ tenure and interests allows for deeper learning and personalized experiences. Rotating internships offer broader exposure compared to purely focused, seasonal programs.
Fun and engaging environment: Beyond work, Dunaway fosters a fun and welcoming atmosphere through company events and after-hours socials, which builds camaraderie, reduces stress, and creates lasting memories. As Marwah Hakim explains, “I love the idea of ONE HEART. I think it has such a beautiful meaning and history behind it. Everyone is collectively working and rowing together in the race to achieve success. It has taught me the importance of teamwork and how collective efforts can lead to greater achievements.”
Come Make a Difference With Us
We’re always looking for new, brilliant minds to add to our program. If you’re looking for an exciting and challenging internship, make sure to keep an eye out for Dunaway at a career fair near you this fall!