ANDY TOMPKINS

I interned at Capstone Properties during the summer of 2005, and I returned for the summer of 2006. It was a great opportunity to get some on the job experience in an office and applied environment. This internship was not directly related to engineering, but it was a good all-around experience, and the projects I was given developed my problem-solving skills. I did everything from office projects to showing apartments to painting, and I learned many new skills including life skills.

The pace was dynamic – I would have responsibility for a marketing project to welcome new tenants, and then transition over to apartment renovation work in advance of a move-in. The people I worked with were great, too. It is a small business so I really got to know everyone quickly.

After returning for the second summer, I jumped right in and knew exactly how to do my job. I was able to build upon the experience gained from the first summer and, when given a task, I had more freedom and responsibilities on how to complete that task. For example, it was my job to inspect some apartments off-site, and, using my own judgment, make a list and start working on all the remodeling it needed including new appliances, painting, etc.

I have recently been interviewing for engineering co-op positions, and the prospective employers have been very impressed with my work experience at Capstone. Most students do not have this level of experience on their resume, and it has given me a big advantage in my job search. I have recently accepted a position with General Electric Aviation thanks, in large part, to my previous experience with Capstone.