Every year, Davids Engineering welcomes a group of college students to work alongside our team members on various projects for the summer. This provides the students with hands on experience and provides DE support and fresh ideas. We want to take some time to highlight this year’s interns.
Nathan Teboul is currently attending University of California, Davis and working towards a degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. As an intern at DE, some of his responsibilities include compiling district inventories from data via QGIS, producing python scripts, and analyzing/updating DE’s GIS database.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I was born in Redwood City, but spent my formative years in Oroville, CA. I’m a SAFS major, which stands for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems – it’s a bachelors program focused on food system sustainability, plant biology, and pest management. I’m minoring in GIS.
In my free time, I like to play bass and ukulele, read fantasy novels or fiction by authors like Patrick Rothsfuss or Cormac McCarthy, sculpt with polymer clay, write, watch movies, and create stop motion animations. I also keep a large garden on a nearby horse-boarding ranch and propagate mycological samples.
WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS?
I’m interested in using the power of GIS and databasing to create systems that benefit small-scale farms and help farmers to achieve their sustainability goals. I also want to open a farm venue for agritourism, weddings, and research.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO INTERN AT DE?
I learned about DE because a UC Davis professor, who I respect highly, recommended that I apply for the internship. After reading about DE’s interactions with agricultural water delivery systems as well as how they are helping California’s public and private infrastructure use water more efficiently, I was sold!
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH/LEARN AS AN INTERN?
While I’m here, I hope to achieve proficiency with Python, which will be integral to my career in GIS. I hope to gain greater understanding of California’s network of canals and water infrastructure, as well as their management. I hope to learn what it means to be part of a company in the consultation field. Lastly, I hope to open the door to future employment with a company whose values align with my own after I’ve achieved my near-term educational goals.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO GET UP AND GO TO SCHOOL/WORK?
My alarm clock! Also, I’m motivated to solve problems and to be a part of organizations that make positive impacts on the world. Besides that, it’s my desire to provide a good life for my family.
WHAT’S SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I used to have a pet praying mantis named Jimmy.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
One time my uncle asked me, “Have you ever really tried using somebody’s advice?” It sounds funny, but it was impactful. It helped me to become aware of the fact that I wasn’t listening to people as much as I thought I was. It encouraged me to ask for advice, or perspective, more often from those I love and respect, which is one of the reasons I’m on track to complete my degree next year.
