From the Classroom to the Jobsite: Insights from the Internship Panel
At the club meeting on (10/09/2026), five students shared about their internship experiences, offering insight into the different career paths available within the HVAC&R and construction industries. The panel featured Grace Murphy (4th year ME), Andrew Chapin (3rd year ME), Maison Johnson (3rd year ME), Tyler Chattariyangkul (4th year ME), and Ian Helton (3rd year ME).
Throughout the discussion, panelists highlighted the wide range of responsibilities interns can take on, from engineering design and calculations to construction management and field coordination.
Grace discussed her experience in consulting, where she worked alongside senior engineers on design tasks, including a power plant in Nebraska. She also highlighted the use of Revit and AI-assisted tools in the design process. Andrew shared his experience working on Apple’s campus, where he assisted a project manager with RFI’s, Bluebeam, and weekly project meetings.
On the construction side, Mason emphasized the importance of communication with general contractors, attending meetings, and conducting site visits during peak construction. Tyler discussed his involvement with two subway lines in downtown Los Angeles, where he reviewed construction documents and compared them with actual site conditions. Ian shared his experience, which involved engineering calculations, code compliance, client meetings, and preparing his project for construction bidding.
The panelists also discussed technical skills that proved valuable during their internships. These included Revit, Bluebeam, Excel, technical writing, and understanding construction documents. Coursework in fluid mechanics and air and water distribution also provided foundation for real world engineering applications.
Beyond technical knowledge, a common theme was the importance of being willing to learn. Tyler encouraged students to, “Be curious and ask questions,” while Ian reminded attendees, “Don’t let a lack of knowledge discourage you. Companies are looking to teach and invest in you.”
The panel provided students with a better understanding of what to expect from internships and how classroom knowledge translates into professional experience. Most importantly, it reinforced that internships are opportunities not only to apply existing skills but also develop new ones.
