Jayden Williams, Civil Engineering, Class of 2027

I am interning with Skanska Koch in Carteret, New Jersey, as a Steel Bridge Engineering Intern in the Steel Bridge Engineering Department.

What projects or assignments are you working on? 

I am working on several projects involving different bridges, including:

• Livingston Avenue Bridge in Albany, New York
• Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in Rockland County, New York
• Dock Bridge in Harrison, New Jersey

A typical workday can vary. Some days, I’ll be in the office performing calculations using different software programs. Other days, I’ll be in the field helping install rigging for various lifting operations or touring Skanska bridge projects, such as the Commodore Barry Bridge in Chester, Pennsylvania.

What Rowan class or experience has helped you most?

The most helpful class for this type of work was Steel Design. The course introduces the principles of designing steel elements based on specific loading conditions. It was especially helpful because I was assigned design tasks involving keeper plate welds, short slotted bolt connections, and beams.

What new technical or professional skill have you developed?

I was introduced to a software program called Mathcad, which allows users to write a variety of equations and calculate answers in their desired units. I also broadened my knowledge of Excel by helping design a bolt-length calculator. Finally, I developed a deeper understanding of the complexity of bridge construction and the amount of time, effort, and planning involved in the process.

What has surprised you about working in the civil engineering field?

I was surprised by the amount of coordination required to complete what may seem like simple tasks. For example, for the Livingston Avenue Bridge, we are developing an erection engineering package that outlines how to lift specific girders for each span. Although some crane work can be completed with minimal planning, this project requires detailed instructions for the field team, customer, and other involved parties to ensure the work is performed safely.

The Livingston Avenue Bridge is a movable railroad bridge owned by Amtrak, so specific rules govern how different structural members are erected. For example, if a crane boom enters a restricted area where it could potentially foul the track, such as by striking it with a large steel member, the crane’s capacity must be reduced by 50%.

How has a faculty member or mentor supported you?

A huge shoutout goes to Dr. Jahan and Dr. Lomboy for their help in sharing scholarship opportunities. In 2025, I was awarded The Moles Scholarship from The Moles Foundation, which led to an interview with Skanska and, ultimately, an internship.

I would also like to recognize my managers at Skanska Koch, Ryan Hollender and Margaret Tang, for their support, guidance, and willingness to teach me about the engineering side of the construction industry. They have challenged me with difficult assignments that have helped me grow professionally.

Lastly, I cannot forget my previous managers at Stonefield Engineering and Design, Aaron Chan and Lindsey Reist. They supported my professional development by teaching me about land development principles, AutoCAD, and important life lessons, such as, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

What advice would you give another student pursuing an internship?

• Join clubs to show that you can balance responsibilities beyond your coursework and build experience to include on your résumé.
• If you have not had an internship yet, consider joining an ongoing research project at Rowan to strengthen your résumé.
• Apply for scholarships because they often lead to additional opportunities.
• Most importantly, take your school projects and assignments seriously. When working in a group, take initiative and look for opportunities to lead. This will give you experience working with different types of people and help you understand how others approach problem-solving.

Complete the sentence: “This summer, I am helping to…”

“Make the world safer for generations to come!”