Reflection:

I chose to pursue this internship because I wanted to gain real-world experience in professional engineering. While HVAC and plumbing weren’t originally on my radar, I saw this as a valuable opportunity to explore a new area of the field. The more disciplines I’m exposed to, the better I can understand where my true interests lie.

This experience gave me hands-on exposure to building systems design, as well as the importance of meeting strict design codes and constraints—especially in the context of federal projects. Living on my own in a new city also helped me grow personally and professionally, strengthening my adaptability and independence.

During this internship, I contributed innovative layout solutions for HVAC and plumbing systems that aimed to reduce installation costs while ensuring code compliance and efficient coordination with other building systems such as electrical and fire protection. I focused on optimizing routing paths to minimize material usage and avoid clashes, and I paid close attention to fixture sizing to ensure performance without overdesigning. These ideas not only supported smoother coordination across disciplines but also helped reduce the risk of rework during construction. 

One failure I experienced was during my first time using Trane TRACE 700 to perform a load calculation. I selected the wrong window type and missed some perimeter dimensions, which caused the heating and cooling loads to be off by an order of magnitude. This could have led to an improperly sized system and significant project issues.  I learned the importance of attention to detail and being thorough. Rushing through a task can lead to incorrect results that will lead to customer dissatisfaction and potential unnecessary costs.

Overall, this experience gave me a glimpse into the world of one-off projects. Many times, we would employ similar methodologies to create a system, but each one had a unique client and different set of constraints. This was my biggest takeaway because I learned to balance technical accuracy with real-world limitations and deadlines.

Work Product:

I cannot share exact details of my actual products due to the privacy of federal/military projects, but I can share some more general details. My assigned projects included work for Hill Air Force Base in Utah, Kitsap Naval Base in Washington, and Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas. 

My primary tools were Revit and Trane TRACE 700. Using Revit, I developed 3D models of HVAC and plumbing systems, ensuring they fit within complex building constraints without interfering with other systems like electrical and fire protection. I also worked to optimize layouts for cost-efficiency and performance. In Trane TRACE 700, I analyzed load calculation outputs, often dense with technical data like the sheet on the left, and I used them to properly size mechanical systems. 

A key challenge was learning entirely new software and processes. My lack of familiarity led to occasional errors in layout design and load calculations, such as missing vents or selecting incorrect parameters. I addressed these challenges by actively seeking feedback from engineers and peers, asking questions, and iterating on my designs.

Through this experience, I strengthened my technical skills, grew more confident using professional engineering tools, and developed a deeper appreciation for the complexity of mechanical system design. Now, I am more confident in my abilities and know more about a field of engineering that I had initially overlooked.

Work Product: 

The final work product from my experience in Uganda was the completed first level of a new secondary school for approximately 300 students in the rural village of Kaihura. When our team arrived, there was no structure, just a pile of bricks and an empty plot. Over the course of eight weeks, we excavated the foundation trenches over a meter deep using only shovels and picks. We hand-mixed concrete and poured the foundation, tied rebar for 42 structural columns, and laid bricks up to the start of the second story using hand-mixed mortar. We also built custom wooden forms to pour reinforced concrete around the rebar columns, all without access to modern machinery.

This project required daily coordination with local Ugandan engineers and construction workers, as well as adaptability in the face of a language barrier. To communicate more effectively, we learned parts of the local language, Rutooro, which helped us build trust and collaborate more closely with the team.

From an innovation and entrepreneurship standpoint, this project demanded constant problem-solving in a low-resource setting. We used improvised tools, sourced materials locally, and adapted our construction methods to meet both technical needs and cultural norms.

This was the one of the most meaningful projects I’ve contributed to because it combined technical engineering skills, cross-cultural collaboration, and a deep social impact by supporting education in a community affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It taught me that engineering is not only about design and execution, but also about understanding context, serving people, and building sustainable solutions where they’re needed most.