For the third consecutive year, KCI has welcomed an extern from the Maryland Chamber Foundation.
The Foundation’s Teacher Externship Program is a four-week-long initiative aimed at developing the next generation of our workforce by enabling high-school staff and faculty to be immersed in a local business to learn about the company culture and gain valuable hands-on experience. At the completion of the program, the externs then leverage their experiences to better prepare students for their future careers. This summer, KCI welcomed Emily Dewlin, a college and career counselor from Dundalk High School in Maryland, to learn about the many technical disciplines that exist within the engineering industry and the opportunities available for students interested in STEM-related fields.
Over the course of her four weeks with the firm, Emily was introduced to technical and administrative leaders from all over the organization to learn about the diverse skillsets and innovative technologies used daily by KCI’s engineers, technicians and field staff. She shadowed members from each of KCI’s core departments to learn key concepts from a wide range of services before touring several project sites. As a result, she saw the real-world application of those concepts in the day-to-day operations and oversight of projects ranging from large-scale transportation improvements to stream restorations and wireless network enhancements.
Emily also had the opportunity to sit down with KCI’s executive leadership to get a better understanding of the far-reaching professional development and growth opportunities available to students interested in this career path. Before her time with the firm ended, Emily personally saw the impact that a successful career in this field has on both our infrastructure and within our local communities. As a new school year begins, she plans to take her newfound industry knowledge and help her students discover possible career opportunities where they can work to improve the built and natural environment.
KCI’s participation in the program continues the firm’s mission of inspiring the future leaders of our industry. Through this partnership, we can build a lasting connection with local teachers and support these students as they move forward with their education.
