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.
Joel Van Groningen is studying civil engineering at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. At DE, Joel is gaining experience in all three of our solution areas. While working in Infrastructure, he has worked on Civil 3D, cost estimating, and project management. On the Technology side, Joel has gained knowledge in working with python and GIS to analyze parcel-field data for Madera County. Out in the field, he was able to participate in setting up measuring equipment in the upper Tuolumne River to monitor dissolved oxygen and temperature for salmon rehabilitation.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I was born and raised in Ripon, California and have just completed my second year at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. I am currently studying civil engineering with plans to get into water resources. I am pretty involved on campus as I am in Dordt’s concert choir as well as a starter on the volleyball team.
While I don’t get a lot of free time, but when I do, I enjoy playing piano, engaging in sport related activities with friends, and being outdoors. Growing up in a heavily agricultural background has led me to enjoy a lot of outdoors and hands-on activities such as fishing and hiking.
WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS?
I don’t currently have a defined career goals, but I am very interested in engineering and water resources which has directed me towards a career within the irrigation infrastructure of the Central Valley.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO INTERN AT DE?
DE offered everything that I was looking for in an internship. There is the opportunity to explore different aspects of engineering within the irrigation and water resource industry here in California as well as learn and grow in engineering skills and deepen my understanding of what my future might be like within agriculture. They are also all so kind and helpful with the application process, I knew it was going to be a great opportunity.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH/LEARN AS AN INTERN?
I hope to learn more about the engineering process within the irrigation industry in California as well as dip my toes in those processes so I can gain skills in all aspects of engineering and all that comes with that..
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO GET UP AND GO TO SCHOOL/WORK?
The feeling of accomplishment after achieving a certain goal.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
“Life is hard, no one likes a complainer…” Usually when you hear that it just makes it worse, but if you realize that everyone goes through hardships, some much harder than others, you begin to appreciate your own life more.
