My summer internship: learning and civil engineering at AtkinsRéalis

Hi I’m Kayla. This summer, I had the opportunity to intern with AtkinsRéalis for the first time, joining the Traffic and ITS team in Henderson, Nevada. I discovered the company through an internship fair at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where I’m currently studying Civil Engineering. From day one, the experience has been incredibly rewarding and filled with learning, growth, and meaningful connections. 

During my internship, I worked on two major projects. Each taught me something new and helped me build practical skills. I learned how to read as-builts and pole schedules and gained insight into design elements I hadn’t encountered before. Another project introduced me to conduit and wire schedules, MicroStation software and traffic signal quantity calculations. These hands-on experiences gave me a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of civil engineering and helped me feel more confident in my abilities. 

One piece of advice that really stuck with me was to take everything one step at a time. Whether I was reading complex plans or drawing intersections, breaking tasks down made everything feel more manageable. I also learned not to stress about perfection, mistakes are part of the process, and quality control sessions are there to help catch and correct them. 

Throughout my internship, I attended several in-office and out-of-office events, including our Open House with clients and the Quarterly Luncheon. These events were well-organized and gave me the chance to connect more deeply with my colleagues, which made the internship even more enjoyable.

What stood out most to me was the company culture. From the beginning, I felt welcomed and supported. My team was always willing to help, whether I had questions or needed guidance with software. That sense of community made a big difference in my experience.  I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned. The real-world experience I gained this summer has helped me grow both professionally and personally, and I’m excited to carry these lessons forward as I continue my journey in civil engineering.