The Importance of an Engineering Internship for Electrical Designers

At Dialectic, we take pride in our internship program. We strive to include our interns in real-world project work so they can gain as much experience as possible. We always like to see interns return for another year of the program, but the greatest compliment of all is when our former interns choose to work at Dialectic full time.

Two former interns, Hannah Engelland and Abby Radmanesh, joined Dialectic in 2022 as electrical designers. Hear their insight on internships and why they chose Dialectic.

What advice do you have for a college student looking for an internship?

Hannah: Get an internship 100%. Not only is your life easier, but your career path is easier. I can’t imagine having to graduate and just start a job somewhere that I don’t know. Being an intern, it’s easy to not know things because no one expects you to know things, so you feel comfortable not knowing things. That would be difficult as a full-time employee.

Abby: Interviewing is the biggest step to getting an internship, and I think it’s good to ask questions during interviews. Research your company before you go into that interview so you’re prepared to ask questions, and be yourself. I know in interviews it’s so easy to be stiff. Everyone goes through it. Get nervous, but just don’t let it bother you.

When you applied for your internship, did you think you’d be pursuing a full-time career?

Hannah: After my interview with Dialectic, they were at the top of my list. I felt like this was a good place for me. I really hoped that I could spend the summer at Dialectic. And when I was offered a full-time job here it was a no-brainer. So it really wasn’t top of mind when I applied, but when it happened, I knew I would love to work here full time.

Abby: I wasn’t really looking towards the future all that much. I interned at Dialectic for two summers, and I remember after the first summer I knew these are my people. I knew this is my home, and that I’m never leaving. The next summer when I came back, I loved it and they offered me my full-time job and I cried. Tears of joy streamed down my face. It was exciting because I love the people here. I love how they treat everyone. To me, that was the biggest aspect of it.

What type of projects were you able to work on and what things were you able to do that were unique as an intern?

Hannah: We did everything. It was nice to be able to work on projects that full-time people worked on, and they didn’t really throw you into the deep end. They let you swim in the shallow end and gradually get to the deep end. It really helps the transition from intern to full-time employee because I’ve started right where I left off. I didn’t have any nerves on the first day because I knew exactly what was expected and the way that everyone worked in the company.

Abby: Our intern program coordinators did an excellent job of making us feel like we were a part of the company. We were never excluded from events or told we couldn’t do anything because we were interns. We were treated as full-time employees within the company, even as interns.

How did you see yourself grow professionally as an intern?

Abby: I’ve grown in my communication, as well as my education on specific topics in general, like codes. Granted, I don’t know all of them, but whenever something is brought up, I feel like everyone around me explains them better. It gives me a real-world example and shows me how to incorporate that into future projects. My confidence has also grown. Being with other people that are older than me but realizing that we’re on the same level and that I know what I’m doing.

What made Dialectic stand out to you as far as firms in the engineering industry?

Hannah: I liked it because it felt like a smaller company, but was also big so I could work on cool projects across the country. I still had that small group feel where I felt comfortable asking anyone questions and didn’t feel weird going to talk to my boss.

Abby: I was looking for a smaller company. They treated me like I was a person. I have a 3-year-old at home and if she was ever sick my boss was understanding and accommodating. There wasn’t pressure to be in the office until I needed to be in the office. He has been amazing about allowing me to take the time that I need for my family.

What is your favorite thing about working at Dialectic?

Hannah: The people. It’s not a high-pressure environment. We get our job done, have a little laugh and then go enjoy the rest of our day. I feel like no one’s pressured to stay here until 7pm every night. If you’re working late people offer to help so that everyone can go home.

Stay tuned to our social platforms to learn more about our internship program and see why Dialectic is the place to start your engineering career.