PBA is Gearing Up for National Intern Day 2022 with Our Engineering Partners in Higher Education
The summer is now upon us, and for some that signals fun in the sun with plenty of rest and relaxation while others continue to work in the offseason. Our coup of new co-op students are looking forward to experiencing a little bit of both this intern season with PBA.
Welcome Class of 2022
The engineering leaders at Peter Basso Associates are excited to welcome 9 co-op students in a 2022 class hailing from 5 different Universities and 2 states. The group is comprised of 7 new summer enrollees, 1 student returning after a brief hiatus, and 1 member extending his co-op from the winter/spring semesters. PBA continues to grow by adding talented young engineering professionals to our team of consulting experts in engineering and design. Our program affords college students the opportunity to experience hands-on learning by our professionals skilled in mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as energy management, commissioning, building technology, and architectural lighting design. Our group leaders and senior staff foster an atmosphere of engagement and inclusiveness where students feel like professionals and are inspired to participate as valued members of the company.
Program Highlights
The team at PBA is reinvigorated every year by the injection of new talent and energy in the building. “Our Group Leaders feel honored to create a positive initial impression of the workplace and provide them with valuable lessons in their respective fields that will aid them on their educational and professional journeys,” said Amy Ryczko, who manages the Co-Op program with Scott Bilan and Lindsey Stefaniak. The program has been successful to say the least with over 80% of co-op students landing full-time positions following completion of their studies and nearly 30% who have made the transition to full-time PBA owners upon graduation from their respective universities.
The co-op program at PBA is hands-on, the following 5 key factors are used to measure its success.
What’s New
One of the unique things being incorporated into the 2022 program is a co-op roundtable where new team members can discuss some of the preconceived notions about working at an engineering firm vs their actual experiences. Additionally, experienced Engineers guide the co-ops through an engineering topic that is pertinent in the field, but something they may not have yet encountered on the job.
There is always a new acquisition or revolutionary project PBA is working on and this year is no exception. Austin Slagle is an Architectural Engineering student at Lawrence Technological University who is working on some collaborative projects with the Illuminart design team. Robert White, IALD, LC, IESNA, Principal at Illuminart expressed his pleasure working with engineering students for the first-time commenting, “Although in place for many years with PBA, the co-op experience is a new adventure to Illuminart. We are realizing multiple benefits from our collaborative efforts. By setting and completing a wide array of knowledge objectives we are better at sharing knowledge and delivering positive learning outcomes. Teaching co-ops is helping us teach each other.”
CO-OP Spotlight
"If I had to choose one of my favorite parts about the work that I have been doing, it would have to be going on site visits and being able to see the design that has been created on a real-life scale” – Austin Slagle
Austin is aware of the precedent he is establishing as the first engineering student to work with Illuminart in the Co-Op program at PBA. He is currently completing his second term in the program after enjoying an experience he has regarded as invaluable, having been exposed to elaborate industrial and residential projects after only a brief time with Illuminart so far this year. “I am thankful that PBA has given me the opportunity to be the first lighting design Co-Op with Illuminart,” said Austin. His experience in the co-op program thus far can be best described as an ideal marriage between his personal passion for lighting design and the engineering drivetrain chosen as the vehicle of expression. “All of these different projects have allowed me to better understand the different obstacles that come with each type of project. I have been given the opportunity to assist with projects during the different phases of development which allowed me to experience how the design can change or adjust during each phase”.
Diversity and Inclusion
We strive to be leaders in changing the way we engineer the world. New creative ideas are the product of PBA’s intentional procurement of a team comprised of diverse individuals with unique experiences, eager to share with our collective think tank of professionals. Every fall we reach out to our neighboring schools to see how we can help cultivate important initiatives that are currently at the forefront of discussions. Our 2022 class is made up of nearly 40% women engineers and we are committed to seeing our overall diversity rise in the coming years. PBA’s longstanding relationships with prominent local schools such as University of Detroit Mercy, Lawrence Tech, and Oakland University has led to affiliations with organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).
PBA – “Your Partner in Engineering the Right Building Environment”
As a member of the Peter Basso Associates team, you will interact with a variety of architectural firms, contractors, and facility owner clients. Excitement and enthusiasm for collaborating with a wide cross-section of professionals is valued.
For more information on our co-op program visit us at www.peterbassoassociates.com
Vote to help make PBA #1 on WayUp’s top 100 internship programs list for 2022 by clicking here: Vote For PBA National Intern Day
Students should be enrolled in an accredited four-year college, pursuing an undergraduate degree in the mechanical or electrical engineering field, or an architectural engineering program, and able to demonstrate a basic understanding of engineering fundamentals.