Teamwork evident with Lombard's Public Works interns
LOMBARD, Illinois— Four new faces are being added to the Lombard Public Works staff this summer. Remarkably, two crossed paths prior to the start of their internship by competing in a National Student Steel Bridge Competition; once competitors, now partners!
Unbeknown to the two competitors, they would soon become teammates and partners joining two other civil engineering students assisting with multiple Public Works projects ranging from storm water management to assessing traffic safety and learning about construction projects along the way from planning stages to completion.
Kayode Olaniyi, Matt Hartigan, Jessica Lundin and Kelly Dunne make up the team of students participating in a summer internship program with Lombard's Public Works Department.
University of Illinois at Chicago graduate student, Olaniyi and University of Michigan undergraduate student, Hartigan competed in their respective school's constructional team in the 2011 American Institute of Steel Construction's Student Steel Bridge Competition held in May. The contest resulted in Hartigan's team beating out Olaniyi's team with a 10th place win out of 48 schools competing. Ironically, interns Hartigan and Olaniyi would meet one another weeks later to partner with fellow interns Lundin (who attends Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology) and Dunne (who attends University of Illinois) to align as teammates on various Public Works' projects.
The interns are all civil engineering students and are at various points in their educational career but have special areas of interest that they hope to continue to learn about during their time with Lombard.
“We all participate in the assigned projects but we rotate taking the lead,” said Olaniyi. “Before Lombard schools let out for summer break, the team did an assessment on traffic safety by observing vehicle and foot traffic in various school drop-off/pick-up zones. “I found this study interesting and can see the need to reiterate the traffic laws and pedestrian safety, he added. Olaniyi is originally from Nigeria and worked in this profession for a short time in his country before making the decision of graduate school in the United States. “I always love to advance my career and getting a Master's in this profession is beneficial,” explained Olaniyi.
Intern Hartigan grew up locally and is a graduate of Glenbard East High School. Hartigan's interests lie with both the observation of the North Avenue Standpipe Project and learning about storm water management principles. “I like concentrating on structures and observing the process of designing, revising and reconstruction of the standpipe project is something that I find very cool to see the entire development,” he replied. Hartigan is just beginning his college career but sees the benefits of this internship in making future career choices. “I am planning on attending graduate school but hoping to get experience both in the public and private sectors to eventually see what direction I want to go in,” reflected Hartigan.
Intern Lundin enjoys being outside. Having the experience to witness construction projects at each stage is something Lundin is excited about this summer. “I want to experience the hands-on development of construction projects from start to finish and see how the different aspects of the plan work together to complete the project,”
she explained. Lundin is considering one possible career option working in the private sector in project management with an emphasis in structure. Lundin has a goal in mind and the opportunity working at the Village is drawing her closer to it. “I like to have a better understanding of what I want to do after graduation by gaining opportunities through internships,” Lundin added.
Intern Dunne enjoys math, physics and designing. Her project concentration is with curve assessments and traffic and roadways. Dunne explained, “I am interested in all different types of pavements and finding new methods that are cost-effective and durable.” Dunne's career aspirations may find her eventually going into research or perhaps teaching, like her father. “I can see me going in the same path as my dad and teach. For now, design is what I am really interested in pursuing,” said Dunne. “Through this internship, I really want to learn behind the work scenes and experience what it is like from the other side.”
Public Works Civil Engineer Ray Schwab was part of the recruiting process and explained that each project the interns are assigned to also has a civil engineer or technician from the Public Works Department designated to the project as well.
“The experience that the Village provides is to get the interns to a point of learning the basics of municipal engineering; the bread and butter, nuts and bolts of what is applied to the basics of civil engineering with roadway designs, water distributions, sewer collection, storm water management and roadways,” described Schwab.
Lundin puts the team aspect of the Village internship program in perspective. “I am accustomed to working in teams at school with students who I know well. This is a new experience for me working with people I have never met,” concluded Lundin. “I think we work together pretty well.”