News Stories

Pathways internship augments classroom with hands-on experience

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District
Published Sept. 26, 2017
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District Pathways intern Grant Cooper prepares a water-quality sensor at Lake Okatibbee, Miss. this past summer to collect data on the lake’s water quality.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District Pathways intern Grant Cooper prepares a water-quality sensor at Lake Okatibbee, Miss. this past summer to collect data on the lake’s water quality.

MOBILE, Ala. – Choosing a career is never easy. Internships offer college students an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and learn about different career opportunities. Grant Cooper, a Pathways Program intern with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, was eager to work alongside the district’s engineers to see daily operations at various project sites.

“My biggest goal is to take in the most information possible that I can use,” said Cooper. “People here are so willing to help you find your niche… and there is plenty of room for moving around different sections.”

Cooper’s internship helped him do just that, visiting the Okatibbee Lake Project Management Office in Meridian, Miss., and the Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway, a complex waterway of locks and dams that links commercial navigation from the Nation’s midsection to the Gulf of Mexico.

The student pathways program offers federal internship and paid employment opportunities for current students to work in federal agencies.

“Grant is a remarkable student who demonstrates a high academic aptitude within the Civil Engineering curriculum and a commitment to academic and career success,” said Randall Harvey, Mobile District water resources branch chief. “Having Grant work alongside our engineers provides a tremendous added support to complete our mission.”

Cooper spent four weeks this past summer working in the Hydraulic, Hydrology, and Costal Engineering Division to see what it’s like working as an engineer for the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. Cooper is preparing to head back to the Auburn University for his senior year, but one of his main goals was to spend some time in the field before returning to the classroom.

“I am blessed with the amount of activity there is here and how much the engineers want to get me in the field,” said Cooper. “Being able to get out and get hands-on training is so much better than just hearing about it or doing it on a computer.”

The internship program is designed to provide students from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to explore Federal careers while completing their education. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service upon graduation.

“I am kind of sad it had to end, but I know it’s not ending. This is just part of the process of moving up, learning and develop skills I will use eventually,” said Cooper.

While working with the Mobile District, Cooper had the unique opportunity to speak with former Pathways intern and Auburn alum Justin McDonald. McDonald, who now serves as Senior Engineering Technical Lead for Civil Works, offered Cooper some advice as he finishes up his education.

“Everything we do as practicing engineers relies on a good fundamental understanding of our academic principles supplemented by professional experience,” said McDonald. “These experiences ultimately prepared me to step into the workforce straight out of school and produce high-quality engineering services.”

To learn more about the Pathways internship program visit the USAJOBS website.