Interning at MKN for the past several months has been the perfect addition to my education as an engineer. I have enjoyed the chance to work alongside knowledgeable engineers and participate in site visits, offering me in person interaction with the hydraulic concepts I learn in my classes. The projects I get to work on are beneficial to my community as well as my education, and I have a better understanding of engineering systems and mechanics.

Xavier Vera standing next to the MKN Fresno office's building sign
Xavier Vera is MKN’s recent Scholarship/ Internship Award recipient and the only intern in our history to receive this position as a college Freshman.

In the past couple months, I have visited several water and wastewater systems and received first-hand experience on how they are constructed and operated.  My mentors have also taught me about water treatment principles and given me the opportunity to engage in several treatment projects. Working here has also strengthened my technical skills such as using Microsoft Excel and performing hydraulic modeling, which will improve my academic understanding when I have to take hydraulics in the future.

While my tasks as an intern are challenging, I always feel supported by the MKN team. They are happy to answer questions or explain a calculation if I ask, and I am always able to get a better understanding of how things work. Honestly, MKN is more like a family than a company, and I’m really happy to be a part of this great firm.

Recommended Posts