Engineering Students Gain Hands-On Experience in Construction on Campus

Over the summer, five Middlesex College engineering students had the opportunity to participate in DCO Energy’s internship program, a component of DCO’s Competitive Edge community program, providing students with direct exposure to and participation in active campus construction projects. 

“This program demonstrates how industry and education can work together to develop the next generation of engineering professionals, while contributing to the successful execution of real projects,” said DCO Energy Project Manager Brendan Crowe. “The interns gained hands-on experience that cannot be replicated in a classroom—working alongside engineers, construction superintendents, project managers, contractors, and field personnel while developing skills in construction management, engineering documentation, estimating, procurement, project controls, safety, and field operations.” 

The students’ work supported the Sustainable Microgrid Project, located east of the Physical Education building, and car port solar installation, located in Parking Lot #1, on the Edison campus. These projects will provide power to newly constructed buildings as well as the broader campus. 

“As a construction engineering technology student, I wanted to see how the concepts I learn in school are applied to actual projects,” said Xochitl Solano Romero ’26, of New Brunswick. “I was also excited about the opportunity to learn from professionals and explore the different roles involved in a construction project.” 

“I was interested in this internship because it gave me the opportunity to not only get my first job in my field of study, but to also give back to the college that helped me obtain more than 50 credits as a high school student,” said civil engineering student Kareem Rady, of Carteret. “This job was not just an internship; it was an experience that helped me reinforce and learn vital skills in the workplace.” 

Interns participated in daily project rounds and observed a broad range of construction activities, including concrete pours, excavation and backfilling, asphalt placement, crane lifts, equipment installation, precast manhole installation, electrical and underground utility work, thermal piping construction, and car port solar construction. 

“This collaboration with DCO Energy exemplifies the College’s core values of supporting students in their unique academic journey, while setting them up for a successful future,” said Middlesex College President Mark McCormick. “The internship provides students with the invaluable experience of working with professionals in their field to positively impact the College campus with real-world results.” 

The interns also worked on invoice reviews, construction takeoffs, daily field reports, as-built documentation, construction progress tracking, drawing markups, and subcontractor submittal reviews. 

“One of my favorite learning experiences during the internship was working with one of the lead engineers on organizing different bids for concrete blocks and other supplies needed for a retaining wall,” said Samantha Rodriguez Godinez ’26, of New Brunswick. “It was interesting to see how much time and attention to detail goes into choosing materials and making decisions for a project.” 

Working with the DCO engineering team, the five interns explored various engineering career disciplines and paths as well as completed exercises focusing on practical construction math. 

“The DCO internship exemplifies the kind of innovative, high-impact learning experiences that Middlesex College strives to provide,” said Dionne Miller, vice president of Academic Affairs, who attended a presentation given by the interns about their experience. 

“By participating in the construction of a sustainable microgrid on their own campus, our students gained firsthand exposure to the engineering profession while developing the communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that employers value most,” Miller said. “Watching them present with such confidence and professionalism underscored the transformative impact of experiential learning and the importance of providing students with opportunities to apply their knowledge in meaningful, real-world settings.” 

Rady shared that the internship helped him learn to always ask questions and stay calm under pressure.  

“These lessons have not only improved my work ethic, but have made sure that no matter what I’m doing, I’m not doing it stressed or unknowingly, I’m doing it for the sake of learning and improving myself,” said Rady.