Rylie Van Court.

As a rising senior at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., I knew 2017 was going to be my last year to intern before graduation in 2018. I also knew I wanted to try something different than what I’d experienced at my previous internship—which dealt with electrical circuit design.

I’m an Electrical Engineering major at Gonzaga and one of my most memorable recent classes was about power systems. We learned about what transformers, motors, and generators were and how they work. It was challenging and the technical reports were time-consuming, but I also found that I truly loved what we were learning.

When I was evaluating internships, I realized that McKinstry’s B.L.U.E. Program would give me the chance to expand my power systems knowledge beyond that class. I’d also be working for a company that makes a difference when it comes to our planet and the environment. In its most basic form, that’s why I chose McKinstry.

Now that I’m here for the summer, I’ve had the opportunity to use and better understand Revit, which is a Computer-Aided Drawing (CAD) software that allows engineers to create building plans more efficiently. I’ve also learned about electrical code and—most excitingly—I’ve seen my work come to life. Whether that’s a light fixture or an outlet receptacle, it’s satisfying to see my work manifested in a real building, where it will last for decades and make a difference.

When I’m not at work, I like to do anything from cooking macaroni and cheese with my friends to watching the Harry Potter movies (again) to exploring downtown Spokane.

I’m proud to participate in the B.L.U.E. Program this summer, and you can check out some of my further thoughts in the soon-to-debut “Advice” section of the B.L.U.E. Blog.

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