Engineering students intern for PennDOT
Engineering students are finding opportunity in Butler County.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is offering internship programs in construction and maintenance, with an emphasis on engineering.
“We get kids from all over,” said Jamie Arehart, PennDOT District 10 community relations coordinator. “Most of what they're doing is data collecting and monitoring.”
Carl Ray, transportation construction manager, said the internship offers great exposure for the next generation of builders.
“It helps them get some job experience and it helps because we have some extra hands available,” he said. “And it looks good on a resume. It's a win-win for everybody.”
Ray said the typical responsibilities of the interns involve inspecting roads, project keeping and witnessing construction. He said projects in which interns could be involved vary from bridgework to roadwork or drainage work.
Ray said Yasenko is lucky to have the chance to work on a temporary bridge.
“They don't do a lot of these in Butler County,” Ray said.
He said the bridges typically are placed in heavy traffic areas, such as those in the southern part of the county.
“PennDOT is trying to accommodate the customers,” he said.
Intern Will Yasenko of Ellwood City was working Thursday at the I-79 bridge project, where crews were installing temporary highway lighting in preparation for a traffic shift taking place later that night.
“We're working toward building a temporary bridge right now,” Yasenko said.
With the temporary bridge in place and traffic shifted to it, Yasenko said, crews can begin demolishing the southbound bridge, which will be replaced first.
“The (new) southbound bridge will hopefully be done before winter,” he said.
He said once the southbound bridge is finished, they will “rinse and repeat” the process and replace the northbound bridge.
Yasenko said most of his responsibilities require recording information about the site's daily activities on a tablet, while also reviewing plans and specifications.
“Basically, I looked at plans and make sure the contractors are following them and working safely,” he said.
Yasenko, who is studying engineering at Geneva College, said he is not sure about his future career, but his experience in the internship program likely would shape and prepare him.
“This internship has really opened my eyes,” Yasenko said. “I've learned a lot.”
Ray said he has had a good experience working alongside Yasenko, and many of the interns show great initiative that will take them to bright futures.
“As long as they show up with a good attitude and willing to learn, the rest can take care of itself,” Ray said.
