Bridging the gap in uncharted waters
October 29, 2020 Written by Jessica Smith | Photos provided by Ilana Shmukler
Before she became an engineering intern for Marine Solutions, senior civil engineering major Ilana Shmukler didn’t know much about underwater bridge inspections.
The Voorhees, New Jersey resident attended a lunch and learn with Marine Solutions organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). During the session, she learned that some bridge inspections are performed by commercial divers.
“I didn’t know that a job like that existed, and I wanted to know more about it,” Shmukler says.
She reached out to one of the employees via email after the lunch and learn to express her interest in an internship. The employee directed her to an online portal for applications on their website. After submitting her resume, Shmukler was chosen for a summer internship that allowed her to explore her newfound area of interest in Rosedale, Maryland
“I chose to apply to Marine Solutions because of their unique area of expertise with marine infrastructure and because of the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field,” she says.
Her daily duties included writing bridge reports and assisting with top side and underwater bridge inspections. “I got to be in some unique places,” Shmukler says. “The biggest perk was getting to see different kinds of infrastructure at an angle that most people never get to see.”
While Shmukler initially struggled with writing reports, she got the hang of the terminology as the summer progressed. She says it became easier to carry out her responsibilities as she was accepted into the group. “I really appreciated that I was treated like a member of the team and that my goals and interests were taken seriously and incorporated into the internship experience,” she says.
Shmukler advises fellow students seeking internships to network thoughtfully and apply for positions of interest, even if they seem out of reach. “Go the extra mile to make a personal connection. Message professionals on LinkedIn whose career paths interest you, not as someone looking for an internship, but as someone with a genuine curiosity for what they do,” she says. “I’d recommend applying to internships even if you don’t meet all of their requirements as listed on their website; I’ve had multiple internships where I haven’t met all of the basic qualifications.”