Inside the 2025 Summer Internship Experience
Each summer, Benesch welcomes a new cohort of students to gain real-world experience across disciplines, office locations and project types. This year’s interns are spending time in the field, contributing to impactful infrastructure projects and taking part in professional development opportunities alongside their teams.
In honor of National Intern Day, several interns shared what they’ve been working on and what they’ve learned along the way.
Discovering Career Paths Through Project Work
Returning for her second summer with Benesch, Madalyn Sorensen was excited to continue building her experience with the Wilmington, NC team.
“After the amount of hands-on experience I gained last summer, I knew I wanted to return,” she said. “This summer, I’ve worked on a major campus renovation project, which has been especially exciting as a college student.”
Through daily tasks in AutoCAD and Bluebeam, Madalyn has grown more confident in her technical abilities and gained clarity about her career direction. “The best part of my internship has been the variety of project work I’ve been able to be a part of. It’s helped me explore civil/site development and discover what type of work I’m most interested in,” she said.
Diving into New Disciplines
In Denver, Elizabeth Brady has been diving into a new discipline: construction management. “I’ve spent every day in the field with great mentors, learning how to inspect projects, read plan sets and track project progress,” she said. “I get to take this base knowledge with me back into the classroom.”
Elizabeth has been assisting with a roadway widening project in Parker, CO, documenting removals, quantities and forms in the field. She’s also taken part in Benesch’s intern development program. “The weekly learning sessions have influenced me not only as an aspiring engineer, but as a person. They’ve helped instill the confidence I needed to believe that engineering truly is the path I want to take.”
Gaining Field Experience and Perspective
Lily Moss chose Benesch for the opportunity to learn from a team-oriented environment that supports both professional and personal growth. As a mechanical engineering intern, she’s worked closely with the MEP and facilities teams to assess and document a steam and condensate system that lacked formal records.
“Exploring these systems in the field has helped me better understand the problems we’re solving,” she said. “Seeing these textbook concepts in person has been more effective than any course could be.”
Learning Meaningful Lessons
Moi Castillo, a construction intern in Omaha, was drawn to Benesch after hearing great things from classmates and connecting with Omaha Division Manager Jeff Sockel at a school mixer. Since joining the team, he’s found meaning in encouraging others and developing his own resilience in the field.
“In construction, there are so many opportunities to help others grow, and I’ve really valued being able to do that,” Moi said. “This summer has been full of introspection and personal growth. I’ve learned the importance of emotional regulation, self-awareness and perseverance.”
More Than an Internship
From civil site development to construction and mechanical systems, Benesch’s summer interns are gaining the skills and experiences to help shape their future careers. Along the way, they’re building confidence, discovering their strengths and making an impact on real projects.
Click here to learn more about our intern program and follow Benesch on LinkedIn for continued updates and related news.
