Internships Overview
Internships have been invaluable in teaching me what real-world engineering entails. They’ve allowed me to apply what I’ve learned in school, gain practical experience, and develop skills essential for my future career.
QC Internship with Moss
Throughout summer 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to return to Moss & Associates as a Solar Quality Control Intern II. Unlike my previous role as a Project Engineer Intern, I spent significantly more time in the field while also collaborating with the QC manager in the office. It was a truly fun and engaging experience where I gained valuable knowledge, hands-on skills, and a deep appreciation for workplace safety with their strong safety-oriented culture.
Responsibilities
- As a Quality Control Intern, my responsibilities included reading engineering drawings and performing field inspections to ensure work was completed safely and accurately. This covered mechanical piles, racking systems, and electrical components, showcasing the complexity of large solar sites.
- At Moss, I gained a deep appreciation for collaboration across departments, which is vital for completing projects safely and efficiently. The work environment was exceptional, and the team was simply amazing—I will always value this experience and the connections I made
Living in Sarasota
Once again, I fell in love with the Florida lifestyle. I thoroughly enjoyed living in Sarasota, which is close to beautiful beaches and perfectly balances the charm of a smaller city with the amenities of a larger one. It’s also just an hour drive from Tampa. While building valuable connections at work, I was able to enjoy the beach and everything Sarasota has to offer
Project Manegement Internship with Moss
In the summer of 2023, I embarked on my first internship outside of school, joining Moss & Associates as a Project Engineer Intern. They offered me the position toward the end of the school year, and I didn’t think twice before accepting. Looking back, I’m incredibly glad I did.
Based in the Florida Panhandle, I was introduced to a new solar panel site and welcomed into a fantastic team. From the very beginning, I felt a strong connection with my colleagues, and I was pleasantly surprised by how warm and welcoming the work environment was. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there, and after just a few months, I understood why.
Responsabilities
- Project management is all about effective communication and understanding the needs of the team. Fieldwork always takes priority, and it’s the project engineer’s job to make life as easy as possible for the crew.
- Our office, located inside a construction trailer, was shared by me and two site project engineers. One of my key responsibilities was updating the POD (Plan of the Day) every morning to keep the project on track. I also managed and categorized deliveries—from water and ice to metal parts—and kept detailed records for efficient tracking.
- I oversaw and organized on-site utility vehicles, such as buggies and lifts, ensuring regular safety inspections. Additionally, I conducted SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) inspections weekly or after heavy rains to maintain compliance and safety standards. You can tell by now how crucial safety is in the construction industry!
Florida life and team connections
It was my first time in Florida, and initially, I was a little apprehensive about living in the small town of DeFuniak Springs. However, I quickly discovered how relatively close it is to amazing places like Destin and Santa Rosa, both located right on the beach.
At work, I made friends who shared great recommendations for things to do in the area, such as visiting the Air Force Armament Museum in Fort Walton or enjoying the lively atmosphere at McGuire’s Irish Pub in Destin. I came to appreciate how beautiful the state of Florida truly is, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to return.
