As we say goodbye to summer, our Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Architecture and Engineering (SLO ARCE) interns are returning to school to complete their education. This is KNA’s 15th consecutive year for mentoring structural engineering students. Our program gives students a hands-on approach to apply their knowledge in the “real world.”
This year, KNA selected two candidates from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: Erica Croft, a third-year architectural engineering student, and Samantha Solow, a second-year in the same program.
“One of the highlights of working with KNA has been the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects during my brief time as an intern. From attending meetings with our clients, visiting job sites to assembling calculation packets, not only did I learn a great deal, I was also an influential member of the company,” Erica Croft remarked upon reflection of her two-month internship with KNA. She took part in the structural design of new P.E. and Food Service Buildings at Granite Hills High School in the Grossmont Union High School District.
To honor the interns, we host a summer farewell party to thank them and to wish them “happy trails” as they return to their studies. All of KNA enjoyed food, drinks and lots of handshakes. Erica was leaving for Kathmandu, Nepal to analyze a secondary school in Patan for earthquake damage with plans for a retrofit, as part of the Structural Engineering Students for Humanity (SESH) group from Cal Poly. Samantha supported the BIM/CAD group and had the opportunity to work on a number of projects, learning and working with us for five weeks.
“Working at KNA has been an amazing learning opportunity. I can confidently say that KNA has done everything to successfully prepare me for my future in the engineering profession,” commented Samantha.
Cal Poly and KNA are culturally aligned with the philosophy of “Learn By Doing” and will continue the intern program next year.
We wish Erica and Samantha the best in their return to their academics, and look forward to seeing their progress.
