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Empowering Interns at Otak – Perspectives from Future Designers

Posted on by Otak Staff

Skills in the AEC industry are among some of the most technical in the American workforce, and fostering those abilities in the next generation of professionals is critical to the future of our built environment. Future designers need to have the tools to learn practically and grow organically so they are equipped for success when it comes time to earn their license.

Internships are among the best ways Otak can provide our expertise as a learning experience – empowering young people looking to break into design with real world know-how, so they feel not only confident in their passion but also determined to make their mark on the world and how we experience it. This is what’s at the core of our Summer Internship Program.

In this piece, we delve into the heart of Otak’s Internship Program to explore what it is, its unique offerings, and hear directly from current and past interns about the impact it’s made on emerging professionals from across our offices!

Laying the Foundation

The Summer Internship Program at Otak serves as the launchpad for those seeking to pursue a career in the fields of engineering, architecture, and design in the marketing, planning, and construction project management sectors. As part of a greater industry practice, the program aims to create consistency of experience for interns, regardless of their individual backgrounds or interests. It embraces each intern wherever they are in their journey, providing a wealth of knowledge and skills that lay the foundations for a successful career for years to come.

An effort that evolved across Otak’s various departments over the last two years, the goal of the program became to nurture a pipeline of talent. The decision was made to structure the program around a “One Otak” approach to nurturing talent that would be consistent across our practice areas.

Our interns are able to get out in the field as soon as they can – contributing directly to problem solving on the project site while building real-world skills for their future careers.

Meet Our Summer Interns!

With a total of eight interns for the summer – we’re sharing perspectives on their experiences so far and what makes their early work meaningful to them:

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Thomas, along with his skills and hobbies.

Thomas Jacobsen, Transportation & Infrastructure (Louisville)

Thomas is a student at the University of Colorado – Boulder, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a minor in Business. He has skills in Civil 3D and coding in C++ and Java, along with a CSWA Solidworks certification in Mechanical Design. In addition to his civil engineering background, Thomas also has experience working as a soccer referee for the U.S. Soccer Federation.

“The most interesting thing I’ve worked on is a project for a multi-use trail in Aspen that had many interesting features. It was cool to see how certain obstacles were overcome to create an impactful project that will benefit the residents of Aspen.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Javier, along with his skills and hobbies.

Javier Buenrostro, Marketing (Portland)

Javier is a marketing student at the University of Portland. He has experience in a variety of different industries including healthcare and retail. He is skilled in Adobe suite, Canva, and Microsoft office. Javier has worked on projects that span brand identity design, product development, and UX design, enhancing user experiences and optimizing product functionality. Additional experience includes working on marketing campaigns to draw brand/product awareness and achieve business objectives. 

“The most interesting thing I’ve had the opportunity to work on was the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) conference. It was an incredibly rewarding experience as I got to attend and represent Otak. What made it so special was the cause of inclusion it supported, which I deeply resonate with.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Davis, along with his skills and hobbies.

Davis Brandt, PMCM & Owner’s Representative (Portland)

Davis is an Architectural Engineering student at Oregon State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree. He has an interest in design and construction. He has experience using software including Microsoft Office, AutoCAD and Bluebeam Revu. He has a passion for math and problem solving that has led him to choose engineering as a career path.

“I got to observe the process of a modular getting delivered to an elementary school which is simply just a portable classroom. I thought it was so neat because they have to make a pre-built foundation for the modular, and from there they have to connect all of the electrical and plumbing lines back to the school’s main building.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Chiara, along with her skills and hobbies.

Chiara Roskelley, PMCM & Owner’s Representative (Portland)

Chiara is a student at Oregon State University pursing an Architectural Engineering Bachelor’s degree. She is a current member of the Oregon Army National Guard. Chiara is an effective communicator and has held several leadership positions in the military for BCT and AIT. She has experience working for Linn County Road Department helping in county road marking and sign fabrication.

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Isaac, along with his skills and hobbies.

Isaac Parker, Structural Engineering (Vancouver)

Isaac is a student at Oregon State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He is skilled in technical writing, computer-aided design and structural analysis program. Isaac has experience tutoring various disciplines including writing, engineering classes, and college access programs. He became interested in Otak when he learned about the company’s sustainable and equitable practices in structural design which deeply resonated with him.

“The most interesting thing I have gotten to work on so far is the Clark County Railroad Bridge repair project. It has been interesting getting to inspect the bridge and help out with wetland delineation.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Samantha, along with her skills and hobbies.

Samantha Cornejo, Planning and Landscape Architecture (Redmond)

Samantha is a student at the University of Washington, Seattle, working on her Master of Urban Planning. Samantha has experience in planning research, data entry, code compliance, and editing agenda reports. She is skilled in QGIS, quantitative and qualitative research, and Adobe Illustrator.

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Brendan, along with his skills and hobbies.

Brendan Wedderspoon, Planning and Landscape Architecture (Redmond)

Brendan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Boise State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Urban Planning at The University of Washington, Seattle. Brendan has skills in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Illustrator, and GIS programs including arcMap, and ArcGIS Pro. He has previous GIS and planning intern experience which allowed to work on LiMAr maps, mapbooks, contourmaps, and reviewing land use permits​​​​​​​.

“The most interesting project that I’ve been a part of has been our partnership with the City of SeaTac to hold public engagement meetings about updates and changes to their Airport City Center District plan. I’ve been able to tackle all manner of tasks which are making me use a wide variety of skills!”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Alex, along with his skills and hobbies.

Alex Brzezinski, Transportation & Infrastructure (Redmond)

Alex is a student at the University of Washington, Seattle, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He has skills in the Microsoft Office Suite and AutoCAD. In addition to his civil engineering background, Alex has experience working as a basketball coach for the Home Court of Woodinville.

“The most interesting project I’ve worked on so far is the Redmond Central Connector project – construction is happening right across the road from the office. I got to attend a site meeting where all of the construction entities met to discuss some construction challenges and I appreciated getting to witness how so many groups collaborate to solve problems.“

Guidance and Multidisciplinary Exposure

One of the program’s unique strengths lies in its emphasis on mentorship. Unlike typical internships where supervisors may serve as mentors, Otak offers a totally holistic guidance system where interns are paired with experienced professionals from different practice areas. This multidisciplinary approach is facilitated by Otak’s size and structure, allowing interns to gain diverse exposure and discover their true passions through experimentation and hands-on experiences.

Throughout the internship, Otak strives to give its interns the best possible experience. Leaders from various practice areas present to interns regularly, offering career guidance, self-development opportunities, and professional brand-building insights – ensuring that each intern is equipped with the necessary tools to thrive in their chosen craft.

The Unique Otak Experience

Otak’s Internship Program differentiator lies in its two key factors – the immersive expertise sessions offered to interns, and interdisciplinary mentorship from the diverse skillsets of our team. The expertise session structure allows interns to engage in a number of meetings culminating in a presentation of their own, fostering connections with various groups and initiatives within the firm and among themselves. Just recently the interns were welcomed to Otak by our Interim CEO, Scott Dreher, and are slated to meet with members of our Transportation and Infrastructure teams, our Water and Natural Resources teams, and our Planning and Landscape team in the coming weeks.

Interns are encouraged to bounce ideas off each other and contribute to discussions where everyone gets a seat at the table. Simultaneously, mentorship from seasoned leaders provides interns with a more comprehensive professional development experience, supplementing their direct supervision with the tools to be leaders early on in their careers.

Want to Learn More?

Are you a young and aspiring designer seeking to take your first steps into the world of engineering and architecture? Are you exploring what you want to specialize in for your career? Otak is continuing our internship programming beyond our summer series and is always on the look-out for interested candidates.

If you’re ready to take your first step towards a rewarding career in engineering, architecture, design, or one of our many other practice areas, Otak’s Internship Program is where you belong. Keep track of our openings and follow us on social to keep an eye out for the opportunity to apply. A conversation with Brooke Henderson or Susan Dull on our talent acquisition team could lead to joining a team of talented interns who have already begun their transformative journey with us. Come unleash your potential to improve the built environment!

View Our Openings

Tualatin School Pedestrian Safety Improvements (95th and Avery)

To increase safety in the area around Tualatin Elementary School, improvements were designed to reduce barriers for students walking and biking to school. In developing the final design, Otak incorporated feedback from an extensive public involvement process that identified infrastructure needs in the area.

Adding Safe School Routes with Multimodal Transportation

With a focus on safety, this portion of the Tualatin Moving Forward bond program adds multimodal options for students and other members of the community. The final design includes various project elements from road widening and a new sidewalk to a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) pedestrian crossing, ADA ramp improvements, and traffic calming devices. Traffic congestion during pick-up and drop-off times was improved by adding a dedicated left turn lane by modifying an existing traffic signal and re-striping of existing lanes. The road adjacent to Tualatin Elementary was re-striped to narrower lanes, helping to slow traffic speeds and allowing the project to add a bike lane as well as on-street parking. A new stormwater planter treats runoff created by new impervious surfaces.

Field Notes: How Structural Engineering Connects Isolated Communities with Essential Services

Posted on by OTAK Team

Field Notes is a recurring series where impactful aspects of projects are brought into focus from the field, along with the people who make it possible.

Structural engineering plays a pivotal role in shaping and improving communities worldwide. While we often take transportation infrastructure for granted in first-world countries, many less developed regions struggle with seemingly simple transportation challenges that hinder access to vital services.

This article explores the transformative work of Engineers in Action (EIA), an organization dedicated to building bridges, providing clean water, and fostering education and workforce development in underserved areas. Through the lens of Sally Gerster, a passionate structural engineer at Otak and mentor for the program, we delve into the profound impact of footbridges on isolated communities and the broader socioeconomic benefits they bring.

Image of a footbridge in Bolivia from Engineers in Action.
Engineers in Action Footbridge Project in Churo Alto, Bolivia

Who is Engineers in Action?

Engineers in Action is an organization committed to building bridges and facilitating access to education and healthcare, all in an effort to empower communities globally. Originally affiliated with Bridges to Prosperity, Engineers in Action places a special focus on constructing footbridges, which have an outsized impact on the communities where they’re needed. With impassable rivers and other barriers, these structures ensure year-round, safe access to vital services such as education, healthcare, and employment — together serving as a catalyst for poverty alleviation.

“The impact of even a simple footbridge on people’s lives, as this seemingly small thing that we don’t think about, is incredible.”

Sally Gerster, Structural Engineer and EIA Mentor

The Impact of Footbridges on Isolated Communities

In many communities worldwide, the lack of transportation infrastructure presents significant challenges, impeding access to essential services, community assets, and even contact with family members. By constructing footbridges, Engineers in Action improves the lives of over 5,000 people annually.

Sally highlights the compounding effect a single bridge can have on individuals, families, and communities as a whole. Take for example, a farmer unable to cross a barrier to access seeds. His inability to work and earn an income also can quickly lead to a lack of food and participation in the local economy. This obstruction – even if temporary – suddenly limits members of an entire community to sustain their livelihood, or life itself. When considering these alternatives, the question often becomes, do you risk your life or the life of others to cross these sites?  

Image of Sally Gerster at a project site during her work with Engineers in Action.
Sally Gerster on-site with EIA

Workforce & Economic Impacts

The economic impact of footbridges in isolated communities is profound. Studies conducted by Bridges to Prosperity reveal a 36% increase in wages and a 75% increase in farmer profitability following the implementation of bridge programs. Additionally, these projects lead to a 60% increase in women entering the labor market, fostering gender equality and economic empowerment. The compounding effect Sally mentions becomes even more apparent when considering the transformative power these bridges hold for local economies.

Education Impacts

Inaccessible barriers often prevent children from attending school, particularly during seasons of heavy rainfall. Education plays a vital role in community development, and footbridges act as the gateway to improved educational opportunities. Furthermore, the involvement of the community in these projects cultivates a sense of ownership and fosters learning experiences that transcend engineering. Engineers in Action not only prepares the next generation of globally-minded engineers, but also empowers communities through active participation.

Broader Community Impacts

In addition to education and economic benefits, footbridges have far-reaching impacts on various other aspects of communities. Improved access to markets enhances economic opportunities, while increased accessibility to healthcare facilities ensures better nutrition and healthcare outcomes. Additionally, footbridges strengthen family bonds by reuniting separated loved ones and facilitating social interactions.

Image of Sally Gerster working on a footbridge project with Engineers in Action.
A team working on construction of a footbridge with Engineers in Action.
A community gathered around a footbridge built by Engineers in Action.

Path of an Engineer in Action: Sally’s Journey to Impact

Sally’s story exemplifies the journey of an engineer dedicated to creating positive change. Her involvement with Engineers in Action began as a student at CU Boulder, where she joined the organization, later becoming a mentor and structural engineer at Otak. University student teams actively organize, design, and construct these bridges, with the organization fostering partnerships for experiential learning and cultural exposure. Sally’s work highlights the profound impact that seemingly small engineering interventions can have on people’s lives and communities.

A graphic displaying quotes and images displaying Sally Gerster's work with Engineers in Action.

The Projects

Churo Alto, Bolivia – Learning to Connect Communities

Sally’s involvement in Bolivia took place during the summer after her sophomore year. Alongside her university team, she fundraised, designed, and spent eight weeks building a suspended cable pedestrian bridge spanning 60 meters. This bridge addressed the need of a community separated by a river, which rendered access to school and family members impossible during the rainy season.

Group photo from an Engineers in Action project in Bolivia.

Nkambule, Eswatini – Mentoring for Educational Opportunities

Years after her first experience, Sally mentored a project in Eswatini, where she guided a team from CU and Penn State University (PSU). The impassable river in this region hindered various aspects of community life, and the bridge provided newfound opportunities for educational growth. Sally joined to help fill knowledge gaps and played a critical role during the project’s final and most complex stages.

In addition to completing the project, everyone involved gained a unique perspective on their work’s impact. According to Sally, the community’s enthusiasm for this bridge project was unparalleled. “This community was the most excited about the bridge project than any other. They welcomed the students to their community like I’d never seen before, and the students were so excited to learn.” The resulting experience fostered an immersive exchange of culture and knowledge between the students and the community, including visiting the local church and cooking meals together.

Group photo from an Engineers in Action project in Eswatini.

Rwanda – Mastering Impact with Data and a Unique Camera System

As a Master’s student, Sally’s work took a slightly different angle, aiming to not just create impact through a single footbridge project, but in measuring that impact across multiple projects. This time Sally found herself in Rwanda, developing a system using trail cameras to track bridge use. Her system is designed to recognize human (ignoring wildlife that can frequent a bridge) traffic, implementing the system, and training locals to operate it after she was gone.

The data enables more comprehensive evaluations of footbridge impact on health, business, and education. Sally’s efforts in Rwanda underscore the multifaceted nature of Engineers in Action’s work and their commitment to continuously improving the outcomes of their projects. The system is still in use today and that data is being applied to not only better understanding the value of the organizations work but also expand where and what they’re able to support communities with across the globe.

Image of a camera system being installed to collect data on the impact of footbridges on isolated communities.

Building the Future’s Impact of Structural Engineering

Demonstrated through the work of Engineers in Action, structural engineering and transportation infrastructure is essential to community building. The organization continuously advances its capabilities, such as expanding into the construction of suspension bridges where longer spans open the door to new opportunities in more locations, but also require a higher degree of technical skill and resources. For her part, Sally intends to continue mentoring and supporting students in their pursuit of engineering excellence. Individuals and corporations can also contribute to these programs by volunteering, providing financial support, or sharing their expertise.

The transformative power of footbridges in isolated communities cannot be overstated. Through the dedicated efforts of organizations like Engineers in Action and the passionate individuals like Sally, access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities becomes a reality for those who were once isolated. By investing in structural engineering projects, we build not only physical connections but also bridges of hope and empowerment, shaping a brighter future for communities around the world.

Boones Ferry Corridor Bike Lane and Sidewalk Improvements

With the primary focus of enhancing the roadway while making it more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, improvements along Boones Ferry Corridor were also designed to account for identified ADA deficiencies. As part of the Tualatin Moving Forward bond program, Otak served as the lead design engineer for improvements to this 2-mile corridor in Western Oregon.

A Practical ADA-Focused Design for Pedestrian and Bicycle-Friendly Corridor Improvements

While avoiding a full construction of Boones Ferry Road, the project provides practical, cost effective solutions to address bike and pedestrian deficiencies found scattered throughout the corridor. Initial analysis found gaps in bike lanes, deteriorated asphalt paths, and non-compliant curb ramps along the corridor that stretches south from Tualatin Sherwood Road to Norwood Road. Along with road widening to provide continuous bike lanes and sidewalk improvements, the multi-phase project also makes improvements to greenway paths, pavement, stormwater conveyance, traffic signals, signing, striping, and landscape. The final design of the project also retrofits curb ramp to bring existing facilities up to current ADA standards. In total, ramps are replaced at 33 corners, including four signalized intersections with pedestrian push button improvements. To further enhance pedestrian safety, the design adds two pedestrian activated rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) as well as pedestrian lighting along a greenway path adjacent to Boones Ferry Road. The design of the project overcame challenges including steep slopes for ramps, right-of-way constraints, and numerous utility conflicts.

Martinazzi Avenue and Sagert Street Intersection Improvements

In an effort to increase traffic capacity at Martinazzi Avenue and Sagert Street in Tualatin, Oregon, a redesign of the intersection was initiated to improve operations. In leading the conceptual and final design, Otak also supported the broader project team with alternatives analysis, utility coordination and design during construction to bring the concept to completion.

Improving Intersection Operations with a Multimodal Design

Originally a four-way-stop, updating this intersection to a traffic signal was designed to alleviate congestion. With an added focus on pedestrian and bicycle safety, the project is also part of the Tualatin Moving Forward bond program, where transportation projects across the city prioritize congestion relief, neighborhood safety, and access to public assets. In meeting these goals, the project includes the widening of Sagert Street to include buffered bike lanes and widened sidewalks as well as ADA ramp improvements. Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocations were also necessary in bringing this design to reality.

North Kitsap Service Center

To improve road maintenance operations and the safe processing of household hazardous waste, the Kitsap County Department of Public Works aimed to update its existing facilities. The design adds a number of new facilities across 16 acres – including a 18,500 square-foot administration building – from a more central location to better protect the environment and serve the community.

Facilities Designed for Road and Waste Operations that Protect the Environment and Community

Dating back to the 1920’s and 1950’s the original Kitsap County facilities had grown obsolete with inadequate storage space for necessary equipment and significantly increased traffic volume.  With over 900 miles of roadway to preserve and maintain, the new facilities are designed to more efficiently operate a number of programs from surface treatment and snow removal to vegetation management to street sweeping. Included in the design are multiple vehicle maintenance shops, a vehicle wash and fuel station, as well as 9,600 square-feet of covered canopy for parking and storage among other road maintenance focused features. The addition of a 7,600 square-foot facility will also improve the county’s ability to collect and package household hazardous waste from a more central location, creating greater access for residents. In leading the preliminary and final design, Otak also conducted internal and external stakeholder engagement, site plan alternatives analysis, permit acquisition, and preparation of environmental review documentation in bringing these new assets to the community.

Stringtown Road Bridge

To improve traffic safety and stream functionality, a replacement bridge on NW Stringtown Road was added at the crossing of Prickett Creek in Washington County, Oregon. In leading the design and delivery of the new structure, a multidisciplinary Otak approach paid special attention to the impacts on adjacent properties, where transportation elements required more space than the existing, outdated treatments.

A Replacement Structure to Improve Transportation Elements and Stream Design

An existing timber bridge on NW Stringtown Road was found to be structurally deficient, prompting Washington County to make plans for its replacement. The new structure includes a wider box culvert with a natural bottom, improving the stream channel of Pricket Creek. With a superelevated roadway, design elements for the bridge also include road widening, guardrail design, and the reconstruction of existing driveways. Close coordination with property owners made space for these updated roadway features while a joint permit application process led to approval for the widened culvert.

Sandalwood Swale

In developing a comprehensive solution to the water quality impacts of the Tualatin Moving Forward bond program, the Sandalwood Swale – along with two smaller sites – provides water quality mitigation for all 36 projects associated with the program. Stormwater facility analysis and design for this regional water quality facility was provided by Otak, including conceptual stormwater facility layout and construction cost estimates.

A Bond Program’s Regional Approach to Water Quality Mitigation

As part of the city’s stormwater master plan, the Sandalwood Swale takes a regional approach to water quality mitigation for a number of transportation and pedestrian-focused improvements involving impervious surfaces. With 11.6 acres required by Clean Water Services design to be covered, the swale exceeds that requirement, providing water quality treatment for 19.49 acres of impervious area. The facility itself is a vegetated swale with native plants selected specifically for the area’s environmental conditions that cover its 12-foot-wide bottom and 189-foot length. With multiple parcels coming into the facility, the regional approach is more cost-effective and requires less maintenance than several smaller facilities would offer, while a water quality manhole added upstream is designed to further reduce maintenance. In a location where the community often reported the impacts of flooding, the improved grated inlet is also designed to better collect debris from storm runoff and eliminate flooding issues in the area.

Eagle Valley Trail

Located along a steep slope between U.S. Highway 6 and the Eagle River, the Eagle Valley Trail provides a multi-use path connecting the communities of Edwards and Walcott, Colorado. The project required extensive collaboration with regional agencies to address the corridor’s challenging topography. In leading the design, Otak also provided a feasibility study and multiple alignments for consideration, including a creative approach that altered the highway to reduce the need for structures on the trail.

A Multi-Use Design and Creative Structural Approach to Fit a Challenging Mountain Corridor

The final design for Eagle Valley Trail met a number of distinct challenges – including maintaining constructability while reaching a specific width – presented by steep mountainous topography and in limiting impact to the adjacent Eagle River. This was successfully achieved in part by utilizing a cantilever concrete trail, with counterbalanced structural slab, supported on an existing concrete wall. The trail’s original design included a new asphalt multi-use path, a pre-fabricated single-span steel bridge, and structural retaining walls along the banks of the Eagle River. After five fundamental section types were developed and discussed, a two-phase approach to this project allowed the team to collaborate with CDOT and ECO Trails to ultimately approve an alteration of the lane configuration of U.S. Highway 6, reducing the need for retaining walls and a bridge. Hydraulic, environmental, and wildlife studies verified the validity of the recommendation prior to final design.

Meadowlark Trail

Completing a 10-mile loop, Meadowlark Trail connects multiple trails in the Boulder County Open Space. The 14,000 linear feet of sustainable, soft-surface trail is part of an overall design that meets ADA requirements, creating a public asset that’s broadly accessible to members of the surrounding communities.

Designing a Sustainable and Accessible Trail Network Connection

Existing on the former route of the Morgul-Bismarck Loop of the Coors International Bicycle Classic from the 1980s, the development of Meadowlark Trail connects Boulder County trails with the town of Superior, Colorado. This new link includes the county’s popular Marshall-Mesa trails, Rock Creek, and Coal Creek trail systems. The use of recycled road materials adds a sustainable element to the eight-foot-wide trail. With a portion of the trail spanning challenging terrain, steep side slopes presented a major design consideration for the soft surface trail. Otak led the design in improving this open space park which also included a bridge crossing and the involvement of community stakeholders.