Final Interview with McCarthy Engineering Associate’s
Fall Intern Connor Becker

What was one thing in the engineering field you learned at York College that benefitted you the most while at McCarthy Engineering?

The Hydraulics and Hydrology courses I took at York College benefitted me the most while interning at McCarthy Engineering Associates. The timing was perfect because I completed the courses in the Summer right before starting at McCarthy. I was able to apply the design techniques and methodology taught to the field during my internship.

 

What was one thing you learned in the engineering field at McCarthy Engineering that you did not learn at York College?

McCarthy taught me about zoning ordinances and regulations. At school, they briefly mentioned these topics but never in depth. During my internship, I quickly discovered that ordinances and regulations drive your design work. Understanding these constraints have enabled me to further see the big picture of a project. Complying with the ordinances and regulations respective to a particular project is a critical piece to the engineering process. My field experience allowed me to gain this invaluable knowledge.

 

Who was your mentor at McCarthy Engineering?

Dave Roberts, Water Resource Engineer, was my mentor while working at McCarthy Engineering. He takes great pride in teaching and helping the younger staff. He made it a point to take time and explain the context of each project. Dave made sure I understood the objectives that had to be completed and the theory and logic behind each project. He did so while still providing me the ability to tackle jobs and tasks independently. It is very comforting to start a new internship with a leader who wants to see you succeed. He was a memorable influence, and I am grateful to have worked with him at McCarthy Engineering.

 

Were your internship expectations met?

My expectations were met and then some! I really enjoyed the smaller company atmosphere at McCarthy. The smaller environment enabled me to have more personal interactions with colleagues. There was room to grow, interact, ask questions, and collaborate with others. I realized how much I had missed that when I was working with the larger companies.

The McCarthy Engineering team was very good at involving and exposing me to nearly all aspects of a project. Every day I was learning something new and had the opportunity to put my knowledge to the test. My supervisors were always around to lend a hand if need be, but gave me the chance to problem solve on my own first.

 

What was your favorite project to work on?  

My personal favorite was the Glenside Housing-Parking Evaluation Project. The project allowed me to be hands on the entire time and I was given the reigns. I did have a supervisor who was there to help, but he allowed me to be independent and problem solve on my own. I surveyed the site, drew up existing plans, developed new designs, and presented the finished plans to my supervisor. It was a great experience seeing the project from start to finish.

 

What is next?

 I am working on finishing my senior year and preparing to graduate the end of August 2022. I took and passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam in late December. Passing this exam is the first step to getting a professional license. Once I graduate, I can officially begin my career as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT).

I really enjoy the path I am currently on with engineering. After graduation, I want to continue focusing on a civil engineering and construction design discipline. I am in the process of exploring job opportunities post-graduation, but I plan to stay in the Reading area with a smaller firm. Who knows, maybe I can return to McCarthy after graduation?!

 

About McCarthy Engineering Associates, Inc.

For 20 years, McCarthy Engineering Associates, Inc. has provided the public and private sectors of Berks and the surrounding counties with full service engineering and consulting services such as: site, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, operational, feasibility, environmental, and fire protection. McCarthy Engineering has offices located in Wyomissing, PA and Pottstown, PA. For more information, visit https://www.mccarthy-engineering.com.