Intern Perspectives: Embracing Growth and Learning at RDG
In the second installment of our series, RDG’s interns discuss their diverse experiences, the supportive company culture and the valuable lessons they've learned during their summer with the firm.
In this second installment of our internship reflection series, RDG’s 2024 summer interns continue to share their unique experiences and the impact their time at RDG has had on their professional and personal growth. From forging meaningful relationships with fellow interns to gaining insights into the business side of design, these young professionals have embraced the opportunities presented to them. Their reflections highlight the supportive and inclusive company culture that defines RDG, as well as the diverse and dynamic projects that have enriched their summer internships.
Sophia Lammers | Tulane University, '26 | Experiential Design
What excited you about your internship at RDG?
Many things excited me about my internship at RDG, but ultimately, I found a lot of joy in my relationships with the other interns. It took a couple of days for us to get comfortable with each other, but quickly, we became very good friends through outings such as the intern dinner party, the Kaneko camp and the Des Moines University photoshoot. I have really enjoyed getting to know them, and they have taught me a lot about other roles at RDG. I always look forward to lunch with them or little walks to get coffee!
I've learned about architecture, planning, interior design, and more while being an experiential design intern. People at RDG want to expose you to more avenues and teach you about how their work integrates into the firm's larger picture.
What was one learning objective or goal you had for yourself during this internship? Did you accomplish it?
One learning objective I had for my internship was to learn more about the business side of RDG. While I was also excited to deepen my design skills, I wanted to take advantage of being inside a business and see how it generates revenue, organizes its employees and implements company policies. These lessons can't be taught in school and are better gained through valuable experiences like this internship. I really value RDG's company culture and will take the skills it has taught me into my future experiences in the workforce.
What advice would you give to yourself going into this internship again or to others seeking an internship in the future?
If I were going back into this internship, I would tell myself to relax and to really soak up all the information around me. I was very nervous before walking into RDG on the first day, but there was really no need to be anxious. Everyone here was so welcoming and offered to help. Now that I am nearing the end of my internship, I realize the amount of knowledge and skills around me is immense, and it would be stupid to ignore this plethora of knowledge. You can learn from all the different fields at RDG. I've learned about architecture, planning, interior design, and more while being an experiential design intern. People at RDG want to expose you to more avenues and teach you about how their work integrates into the firm's larger picture. I would tell myself to ask more questions from the beginning and take any opportunity to learn.
Danielle MacAlpine | University of Wisconsin-Platteville, '26 | Water Resources
How would you describe RDG's company culture?
I would describe the culture as accepting and positive. I have never worried about who I can sit by at a company event or about asking anyone a question. Everyone is very willing to include everyone and help in any way they can.
It's exciting how involved I was able to get with projects.
What excited you about your internship at RDG?
The variety of projects and how different stream restoration and wetland projects are from "typical" civil engineering projects. It's also exciting how involved I was able to get with projects.
How do you see jobs in your field changing in the future?
I see jobs in civil engineering becoming more like the water resources engineering done at RDG. As communities continue to develop and need to become more impervious, engineers who can design for where the water goes (without flooding homes or causing other issues) will be in high demand.
Abby Mieras | University of Nebraska - Kearney, '25 | Lighting Design
How would you describe RDG's company culture?
It sounds cheesy, but RDG truly has a culture of creating meaning together. Everyone is on the same team, ready to encourage and assist each other. Coming in as an intern, I thought it would be daunting to integrate into office life with people so much more experienced than me, but instead, I experienced a warm and welcoming environment where I was encouraged to grow. The culture creates an environment where people care about each other and really want the best for each other, which I think exemplifies the company's mission and creates meaning on both a professional and personal level.
I was excited to be a part of such an interdisciplinary firm because that allowed me to gain a lot of insight into how the entire industry works together and complements each other.
What excited you about your internship at RDG?
What most excited me about my internship was the variety of projects I got to see and work on and how much hands-on experience I got. Traveling so much and seeing projects in construction, sitting in on meetings, visiting other firms, and networking with other professionals was an invaluable experience and not something I could have gotten anywhere else. I was also excited to be a part of such an interdisciplinary firm because that allowed me to gain a lot of insight into how the entire industry works together and complements each other.
What did you learn about yourself from the internship (strengths, weaknesses, skills)?
I have learned that I am a lot more adaptable than I thought. My top Clifton Strength is "Discipline," which leads me to enjoy structure, schedules and predictability. However, the lighting/interior design/architecture industry constantly fluctuates, and designers must know how to adapt. I experienced that a lot as we jumped from project to project based on which due date was approaching the quickest or which needed the most revision. I also moved to a new state for the summer, which came with many adaptions. I feel that I was able to take everything in stride and really learn how to strengthen my ability to adapt, and I will be a better professional because of it.
Anna Miles | University of Nebraska-Lincoln, '24 | Architecture
How would you describe RDG's company culture?
RDG's company culture is one that promotes both hard work and relationships. I can tell that everyone takes pride in doing their work with excellence but also has a healthy work-life balance. All the people I have met at RDG have been incredibly welcoming and supportive of our learning as interns. The firm does a great job of fostering an environment where you can form real relationships with the people you work with and have a lot of fun!
I've really appreciated how involved I've been able to be in a wide range of project types and stages. I've gotten to lean into that hands-on learning through project work, client meetings, site visits and more.
What excited you about your internship at RDG?
As my first internship, I was most excited to learn more about the professional world and gain hands-on experience in new areas. I've really appreciated how involved I've been able to be in a wide range of project types and stages. I've gotten to lean into that hands-on learning through project work, client meetings, site visits and more.
Beyond the actual internship, what other perks or learning opportunities did you gain from being at RDG?
One of the greatest perks of the internship was getting to do it alongside the six other interns in our Omaha office! I loved sharing this experience with peers in my field - whether we were learning from each other or just sharing lunch - and seeing us go from strangers to friends throughout the summer.