Spotlight on our 2024 Summer Student Interns

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I decided to pursue architecture after realizing I didn’t want to be a physicist at the end of my undergraduate studies in physics and philosophy. I learned that architecture is a profession at the junction of science, art, creativity, and going outside for work – a huge plus for me. I am doing my M.Arch at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, my home school, as I am from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I am one semester away from completing graduate school and I am very excited about starting my architectural career.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

I have been working on two proposals, including university and public projects, where I am learning a lot about concept design and site strategies in concept design.

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

Something interesting about me is that I love cycling and ride about 60 miles a week on average, including a weekly ride with Crank Arm Brewery in downtown Raleigh!

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

Originally from Texas, I am a U.S. Navy veteran and a senior at ODU majoring in civil engineering and management with a focus on structural engineering. I chose this career path because I want to be part of a team that builds communities.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

I am a part of Clark Nexsen’s Structural Engineering Department and have been assisting with various projects. I love that each project I work on teaches me something new and exposes me to new programs and skill sets.

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I have competed in weightlifting at the national level over the last few years. I love the gym, the Dawg House, and the community within it! I love to travel and have been all over the world!

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I have lived in Virginia Beach my whole life and love going to the beach whenever I can! I would play any sport, but I stuck to tennis and volleyball in high school. I became interested in engineering because I have always liked solving problems and learning new ways to do things.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

I’ve had a chance to work on a stormwater drainage analysis and implementation of different drain designs for a new sidewalk in Amelia County, Virginia. I’ve learned so much about the engineering process in civil applications and general problem-solving through the lens of professional engineers.

I’ve inspected bridges, sat in on meetings, attended conferences, and done a lot more, which has been a blast. Learning and adapting to the professional environment has also been a big part of this summer for me. Every day, I learn a lot!

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

During quarantine, I taught myself how to paint!

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I am a rising junior at Virginia Tech, majoring in Civil Engineering. My journey into this field was inspired by my childhood best friend. What started as constructing with Legos and Lincoln Logs together to asking for nails for Christmas every year, our creative desire to build and design eventually evolved into my genuine passion for engineering.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

This summer at Clark Nexsen, I have been engaged in various tasks that have greatly enhanced my understanding and skills in civil engineering. I have visited construction sites around Virginia Beach, participated in bridge inspections, and attended numerous construction meetings, gaining valuable on-site experience.

Additionally, I have been mentored in expanding my knowledge of Civil 3D and MicroStation and had the opportunity to work on projects using both software. A highlight of my summer was attending the VASITEConference, where I learned about traffic engineering topics and gained valuable professional networking experience.

These experiences have taught me an abundance of new engineering and communication skills. I have established a strong foundation in new CAD software and gained insights into the realities of the engineering world.

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

One interesting fact about me is that I drive a stick-shift truck. He is a red 2007 Ford F-150 named Chad.

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I am a rising senior in NC State’s Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture with a minor in History. I have always loved art, history, museums, and everything like that, but my interest in design started when my mom began taking me to open houses just so we could see the different design styles. This newfound interest was then fostered by my high school art teacher, who had gone to school for architecture. In school, I am a Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority member, involved with AIAS, and have developed an interest in historical preservation.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

So far this summer, I have spent most of my time working on the U.S. Coast Guard Academy master plan and the WELL certification for the Raleigh office. I have also had the opportunity to go on several site visits to learn about the construction process when projects are near completion. Working on these projects has greatly enhanced my academic knowledge and provided me with a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of architecture. It's truly inspiring to be involved in such diverse and impactful projects.

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

I am going to study abroad in Prague this fall!

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I am originally from Wisconsin. Sparked by an interest in urban planning, I decided later in my high school career to pursue an architectural education after being set on studying history for years (funnily enough, histories of architecture was not my favorite).

In school, I'm also working toward a minor in Smart and Sustainable Cities, combining my passion for urban design and sustainability. Beyond academics, I am involved in Virginia Tech's Crochet Club as co-founder and executive advisor and the tour group for the VT School of Architecture. I love expressing myself through various mediums, but without a doubt, my favorites are fashion, collaging, and cooking.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

As a Sustainability Student, I have worked on a large variety of projects, such as an Air Force Academy academic building centered around cyber security, a dorm for UT Austin, a plane hangar, and a cemetery. I am also working on independent research on the sand shortage and its effects on the construction industry and social and political spheres.

So far, I've learned a lot about what goes into a building from both a design and administrative process, helping with documentation for sustainability initiatives such as LEED and the Guiding Principles framework for federal projects, and even working with new programs to explore the carbon cost of various building materials. It has been rewarding to play a role where I can connect across all disciplines, enriching my understanding of design tenfold.

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

I love to cook. This is some people's worst nightmare, but the perfect Friday night for me is to go to the grocery store, spend a few hours cooking an extravagant meal, and then sit down to eat it, alone or with family and friends. I find that my passion for food, architecture, and urban design has all begun to intertwine as I've deepened my understanding, serving as the cornerstone of my development as a designer.

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I was born and raised in North Carolina and have enjoyed calling this state my home. I have always been interested in how things work and get put together like many others pursuing architecture, I grew up with Lego and never stopped creating things. I originally graduated with a bachelor’s in interior architecture from UNC Greensboro, and with the knowledge gained, I knew that I wanted to go further into the field and pursue my Master of Architecture at NC State.

This is my second summer with Clark Nexsen, and I have enjoyed every moment! I have one semester remaining in my academic career, and I cannot wait to see what the future brings as I grow in this field. I am very passionate about the world around us and the impact we generate, especially for those who may interact with the spaces we create.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

I have had the privilege to work on a variety of projects this summer, such as a library pursuit for the City of Williamsburg, campus master planning and design development for the U.S. Coast Guard, and the development of the James City County Municipal Complex.

Each project has brought its characteristics and opportunities to assess and take advantage of to create great spaces. Through this diversity of projects, I have gained more experience in the thought and process that goes into real projects and further honed my skills as a designer.

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

I enjoy exploring and experiencing the world around me through travel, sketching, and film photography. I recently picked up the latter and have found greater interest in not knowing how the result will turn out but enjoying the process of making it.

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I’m from Chesapeake, Virginia, and I’m a rising junior at Old Dominion University. I’ve always had an interest in transportation infrastructure, so it’s only natural that I would choose that for a career.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

I’ve worked on a variety of projects, including a trail project in Wilmington, North Carolina, that has helped me familiarize myself with MicroStation and Civil 3D. I’ve also had the opportunity to go out with the bridge inspection team to assist with the routine inspections of the Willoughby Bay Bridge in Norfolk and one of the Hampton River Bridges on I-64, as well as deck header inspections at the I-64/I-664 interchange in Hampton.

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

I like watching football (Go Birds!) and going to heavy metal concerts.

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I am going into my fifth year of architecture at Iowa State University. I found my passion for architecture when designing projects at Landstown High School’s STEM Academy, where I was able to let my creativity run wild, from problem-solving to making something functional and aesthetically pleasing.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

I’ve been introduced to the more professional side of architecture. It's fascinating to see how many layers there are to each project produced at the office. Now, I can peel back each layer, discovering how I can apply what I learned in college to the practice. This summer, I have been able to work on generating building massing interactions, floor plans, and evacuation plans so far.

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

Outside the workplace I find myself enjoying the beach, skateboarding, and exploring the local area.

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

Currently, I am a rising fourth-year student attending UVA’s School of Architecture, majoring in Architecture with a pre-professional concentration and double minoring in Urban Environmental Planning and Landscape Architecture. Throughout my entire life, I thought I was destined to be a doctor, but I soon realized at the cusp of my senior year in high school that was no longer what I wanted to pursue.

A passion for aiding in the betterment of people’s lives drew me into the medical field initially. Eventually, that same passion led me to apply to architecture school on a whim. I’ve always appreciated the intersection of various disciplines that the field of architecture contains, which has allowed my love for both my artistic side and my STEM side to shine. I am excited to be in a field that is constantly evolving and can address various ecological and social issues through the information I gather every day.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

I’ve learned so much during the month that I’ve been at Clark Nexsen. The things I have valued the most are the ideas and techniques I’ve learned from my peers here; it all has been priceless. I’ve been lucky enough to work on a broad range of projects, including conceptual design and life safety plans for higher education buildings and developing a master plan for a rezoning project. Being involved in different projects here has been very influential in figuring out what typologies I would like to further dive into in my upcoming thesis year at UVA and career beyond.

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

I am originally from Hawaii, but eventually moved and grew up in Virginia Beach. I’ve been lucky enough to have lived close to the ocean my whole life!

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I am a rising sophomore at James Madison University, majoring in Engineering. I've been interested in engineering since middle school, as I really love math and science and want to make a difference in the world. My father was also a big influence on my career decision, as he is a sheet metal mechanic and makes parts for airplanes. He was unable to get any college education due to his financial and life situation, but he encouraged me to pursue engineering as he knew it would take me far in life.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

So far this summer, I've been doing a lot of bridge inspections. I went to Richmond and Hillsville last week to inspect a couple of culverts and bridges, and I’ve recently been working on writing the reports from those inspections. I had to do a lot of hiking to get close enough to the bridge to measure the cracks and other damage and take pictures of any problems, and I got stuck in a deep puddle of mud – I learned to always have boots that fit when doing inspections!

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I am a first-generation college student, and I was born in San Diego, California.

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I am a rising senior at North Carolina A&T State University studying Architectural Engineering with a focus on building systems. I am a Virginia Beach native, love the beach and ocean, and try my best to stay active! I am pursuing an engineering career based on my early love for constructible toys like Legos and Lincoln Logs.

What have you been working on this summer at Clark Nexsen? What have you learned so far?

My contributions to Clark Nexsen’s electrical department are in lighting and circuit design for federal, military, and commercial structures. I am currently learning how to perform lighting and load calculations, design for various occupancies and egress situations, and speak like a professional electrical engineer!

Can you share an interesting or fun fact about you?

Outside of engineering, I spend my free time in local pools, either lap swimming or instructing swim lessons.