Connect

« Back

A Summer at HRP

July 29th, 2022

What's it like to be an intern at HRP? What kind of projects do you work on? What skills do you learn? We went straight to the source to get some insight on our interns' experiences during their first summer at HRP. Spoiler alert, the future of this industry is very bright!

Lauren Pawlowski, Environmental Intern

Hi, I'm Lauren, I'm a recent UConn Honors graduate with two degrees, a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a B.S. in Economics. I am interning as an Environmental Scientist in the Derby HRP office for this summer before I begin my graduate studies. Starting this fall, I will be pursuing a Master of City Planning degree with a Land Use-Environmental Planning concentration at the University of Pennsylvania and my expected graduation is in May 2024.

This summer at HRP, I have worked on a variety of environmental consulting, compliance, and sustainability projects. I have conducted research, word processing, and field work for Phase I and Phase III reports, groundwater monitoring, MS4 illicit discharge investigations, and a remediation project. Also, I have drafted multiple project proposals and presentations, including for a corridor study and for a client’s remediation programs sustainability challenge.

I have had a great experience working at HRP so far! It’s been a good balance between days working in the field and in the office and I’ve had exposure to a wide variety of projects, sites, and clients. My favorite parts have been the 3:12 company culture and the helpful mentorship I’ve received from my fellow HRP employees.

My goal is to work in city or regional planning and economic development, and I have strong interests in brownfields redevelopment and sustainability. Interning within the environmental consulting field has provided me invaluable experience and background knowledge that will be useful in my future career, especially relating to reviewing environmental records database files, conducting environmental investigations, and progressing through the site remediation process.

Cedar Hittle, Digital Marketing Intern

I'm Cedar. I'm studying communication at Champlain College in Vermont. I plan to graduate December of 2022. I've worked on podcasts for HRP and a variety of videos for their YouTube channel (including making this video). I absolutely love working at HRP. My coworkers are some of the most professional and friendly people I've ever met. What I like most about the company is its close-knit culture. I feel like HRP really cares about its employees. One thing I've learned while interning for HRP is how to organize projects that require interpersonal cooperation.

Colby Seguljic, Engineering Intern

I'm Colby, I'm currently working on my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Connecticut.  This summer I am interning at the Clifton Park HRP office as a project consultant in order to gain some overall knowledge and experience within the engineering field before I enter my junior year in the fall.  My expected graduation is in May 2024. 

This summer at HRP, I have worked on many different projects.  For example, I have completed an O & M manual for an indoor gun range operated by DOCCS, worked on various energy audits, and have aided in the paperwork regarding facility transfers.   

So far, I have had a great experience working at HRP.  The flexibility they have given me has made it very easy to balance working in the office and my other job of being a waiter.  My favorite part of working at HRP are the people that I get to work with as they are always very patient and helpful in teaching me how to complete the projects given to me. 

As I have a strong interest in cars, my future goal is to work for a company such as BMW to help design automobiles.  This internship has without a doubt helped me towards my future goal as I have gained valuable experience.