An internship can be a chance to try something new and get a better idea of what you want your career to look like after graduation. For Elizabeth Borg, two summers at G2 gave her that opportunity. While studying civil engineering at the University of Michigan, she joined G2 as an intern and quickly found a team and industry that felt like a good fit. Elizabeth is now a Field Engineer in G2’s Ann Arbor office, where she’s starting her career at the same place that introduced her to geotechnical engineering.

The transition from intern to full-time team member has brought new responsibilities and a chance to see G2 from a different perspective. Elizabeth shares what drew her back to G2 and how her internship helped shape the start of her career.

What initially interested you in an internship at G2?

I found G2 at a career fair while looking for an internship where I wouldn’t be sitting at a desk all day. I wanted to be out on construction sites getting hands-on experience, which is exactly what an internship at G2 offers. Everyone I spoke with at the career fair was welcoming and easy to talk to, which made me even more interested in the opportunity to work at G2.

What was your favorite part of your internship?

My favorite part of interning was meeting so many people and building relationships with those I worked with regularly. Some of those relationships turned into great friendships, including one of my best friends, who I met at the beginning of our internships two years ago.

Orientation was another highlight of my internship. We would learn about different tests through videos and instruction before having a chance to perform them ourselves. They even brought a concrete truck to the office so we could practice before heading into the field. I enjoyed working alongside the other interns and the training team as well, who were always willing to answer our questions.

I was also surprised by how much independence I was given. After our first month of training, we were trusted to go to job sites on our own. I didn’t expect to have that level of responsibility as an intern, but it was rewarding to take what I learned during training and apply it on my own on site.

What made you decide you wanted to return to G2 full time?

Despite other opportunities, I ultimately decided to return to G2 because I already knew the people and trusted that they would support my growth. I was offered a position on the design team, which made the decision even easier. I wanted a role that would give me a mix of office and field work, and the design team offers that balance.

On the design team, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, but most of my work has focused on temporary earth retention systems (TERS). These systems keep excavations safe for workers during construction. I’ve worked on TERS for several projects, which has given me the chance to use AutoCAD and other modeling programs to create designs and drawings, which I enjoy using. We also work on cofferdams, pile design, slope stability, and dewatering. Every project brings something different and allows me to keep learning.

What responsibilities do you have now that you didn’t have as an intern?

I have new responsibilities now that I’m full-time. I’m no longer in the QC department and have moved into geotechnical work, so I spend more time in the office while still getting out into the field regularly.

During my internship, I primarily tested concrete and soil. Now, my work looks a little different. I observe soil borings, use different types of geotechnical instrumentation, and take measurements to evaluate soil deflections and other field conditions. Working directly with clients is another new part of my role. It keeps me involved throughout a project and has helped me become more comfortable communicating with different people. There’s a lot to learn, but I’ve enjoyed taking on these new responsibilities and seeing a different side of the work we do at G2.

What has been the most rewarding part of your job?

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing something I worked on come together. It feels meaningful to put my name on a finished project and send it to a client. As an intern, I was usually just one small part of a project, but now I get to be involved in more of the process. It gives me a sense of pride to look back at a project and know I played a bigger role in completing it.

What’s one skill you developed at G2 that you didn’t expect to?

I didn’t expect to be coordinating with sub-consultants and drilling contractors this early in my career, but I’m glad G2 has given me that opportunity. I’m responsible for observing the work and ensuring it is performed in accordance with specifications, which has pushed me to be more confident in what I know and comfortable speaking up when issues arise.

I’ve also learned a lot from shadowing other members of the Design Team. I’ve seen how they approach different projects and handle situations in the field, which has made me feel more confident as I take on my own work.

What advice would you give to students considering a co-op or internship at G2?

I would definitely recommend it. As an intern or co-op, you get to spend a lot of time in the field. It’s especially exciting when you’re going to a project site for the first time. You meet so many different people along the way. You’re not just getting to know people at G2, but also clients, contractors, and others working on the projects. I think that’s one of the biggest benefits because you start building connections across the industry while you’re still in school.

How do you think students can get the most out of their experience?

Ask a lot of questions and stay curious; you get out what you put in. Going above and beyond your responsibilities as an intern shows you are a motivated worker.

Take time to talk to different people on site and in the office, especially during downtime. Ask about what they do, how they got started, and what they enjoy about their work. You never know what you might learn or who you might meet.