Today’s the last Thursday in July, and if you didn’t already know, it’s National Intern Day! To celebrate, we treated all our RAND Summer Internship Program participants to lunch, and presented them with certificates of appreciation and a gift card in recognition of their dedication and hard work during their time with us.
At RAND, our internship program is designed to provide an enriching and empowering experience for students and professionals alike. We believe in nurturing talent and fostering an environment that encourages growth and learning. Our interns receive hands-on experience and guidance from mentors in their chosen fields, creating a platform for them to gain valuable industry knowledge, develop new skills, and establish lasting professional connections.
Meet some of our remarkable interns who share their experiences and lessons below.
Madeline Edie, Structural Team 
Junior at the University of South Carolina
Major: Civil Engineering
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
This summer I had the opportunity to work with RAND’s Structural Team. It was interesting learning about different codes that need to be followed, especially in comparison to the building codes of my home state South Carolina. I enjoyed going on inspections and endeavoring to determine a structure’s safety based on visual inspections and sounding. I also liked learning the processes connected to structural repairs, filing for permits, making drawings, and correspondence with building administrators. I had so much fun this summer going on site visits, working in the office, and meeting everyone! Thank you!
Evan Dornhelm, Facade and Roofing Team
Junior at New York City College of Technology (City Tech)
Major: Construction Engineering Technology (Bachelors)
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
It is hard to believe that nearly a month has passed from the start of my internship experience at RAND, and it has been nothing short of an incredibly positive and enriching journey. From day one, I was welcomed into a supportive and nurturing environment where my questions were solved and my ideas valued. I feel incredibly fortunate that the teams I have been working with are dedicated, knowledgeable, and willing to guide and mentor me.
Throughout the course of the internship, I had the opportunity of working on a variety of projects that allowed me to apply and expand my skills, passion, and knowledge of the AEC industry. From calculating quantities for proposals, reading drawings, reviewing product submittals, and much more, I have been situated with the necessary exposure to broaden my understanding of the work involved from all contributing parties.
Working with a team in an office environment has also allowed me to improve my communication, time management, and problem-solving skills. For example, I’ve learned how to professionally ask questions, respond to emails, and edit a document.
Last, but certainly not least, are the connections and relationships built along the way. Whether it be conversing during lunch, laughing over the Friday Summer Breakfast, being invited to the gym, attending a team happy hour, or even any passing conversation, there is a lot of positive energy that contributes to the success in the working environment which I never fully grasped until I encountered it myself. In various cases, it felt like I was not an intern as I was entrusted with tasks and responsibilities that allowed me to develop and thrive. I appreciated that no one was ready to pounce on my mistakes, rather my team members offered a helping hand or constructive criticism when needed.
Overall, my internship experience has been a transformative one. It equipped me with new skills, and reinforced my passion for the industry. I am grateful for the opportunity and the positive impact RAND has had on my personal and professional growth.
Raees Bacchus, MEP Team 
Sophomore at Stony Brook University
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Interning on the MEP team at RAND has been a great experience so far. Everyone is friendly and willing to help. I love how a lot of people come from different backgrounds and do not necessarily go through the traditional college-to-industry path. It’s clear that the employees at RAND are treated well and happy to be here. I have also learned a lot through hands-on experience which will help me excel in my career.
Saif Allahabi, Forensics Team 
Junior at City College of New York
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, although today my wife and I live in Riverdale, NY. I will be going into my senior year at City College of New York with a major in mechanical engineering. This is my first internship, and I really liked RAND, especially the super friendly staff. I was placed on the Forensics Team supervised by Jamey Ehrman. It is a very wonderful team. They always helped me, and I learned a lot from them. They also kindly gave me gifts when my wife and I had our first child. RAND is a company that treats its employees like one big family. One of my favorite things about RAND is that it felt like coming home instead of going to a “job”. I also loved that there is an exercise room, a shower, and a recreation room with objects from around the world. My time at RAND has been full of knowledge, joy, and great experience. I hope I can continue here after my graduation.
To all our hardworking interns and mentors, a heartfelt thank you for your contributions and the positive impact you’ve had on our company.
More RAND intern experiences can be found on our blog. Interested in an internship at RAND? Contact our Human Resources Department for more information.
Happy National Intern Day from all of us at RAND!
Isabelle Walsh is Human Resources Manager at RAND, and coordinator of RAND's internship program.
