The Importance of Co-Ops

Kristen Rorabaugh • February 22, 2022
engineer looking at plans

Cooperative education is a structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience. A cooperative education experience, commonly known as a "co-op," provides academic credit for structured job experience. We recently sat down with Kristen Rorabaugh to discuss her co-op experience with BMA and how it helped to position her for future employment with BMA and a career in civil engineering.

1. When did you co-op with BMA?

I started my co-op in January 2020, the middle of my junior year, and worked through August. Since then I have come back during Summer and Winter breaks.

2. Was this a requirement for your degree program?

No, but it was strongly recommended by all faculty.

3. How did you learn about the opportunity?

I went to Mississippi State University which has an awesome co-op/internship program especially in the school of engineering. I went into college anticipating a least one semester of co-oping because they emphasized it so hard in my freshmen orientation. I learned about BMA during the school’s career fair and I requested an interview with them because I liked the idea of getting to work close to home.

4. How was this a beneficial opportunity for you?

Where to start. So, first things first, I didn’t actually know what civil engineering was until my co-op. I thought I did, I’m sure everyone thinks they do, but if you just go off your classroom experience then you’re clueless. I was questioning if I could even be a civil engineer by the end of my sophomore year because I was struggling and didn’t feel very passionate about many of my classes. I was contemplating changing majors but decided to stick it out until my co-op to make my decision. I don’t have the personality of a stereotypical engineer, and while I am a critical thinker, I didn’t thrive in testing environments so in the world of academia I would not make a good engineer. However, when I got to BMA, I really felt like I thrived. I loved the dynamic of interacting with clients, modeling designs in programs, and even found the permitting process interesting. Everything I worked on had a purpose and was way more fulfilling than the abstract situations I was given in the classroom.

Aside from that the co-op was a much-needed break from school. I’m not claiming to love every moment of my co-op, the full-time work week was definitely a culture shock, but I needed that break from classes and an opportunity to apply my knowledge in real life instead of just on tests. It was a much-needed mental health reset for me, and I felt like I returned to school refreshed and more confident that fall.

It was also such a blessing to be offered a job before my graduation. My graduating semester I saw so many of my peers stress about their futures on top of such hard courses. I had friends who didn’t even know what part of the country they would be living in after graduation. My senior year was free of that distraction and stress.

I must add the money was really nice.

5. Describe how the co-op worked. What were the work hours, type of projects, and BMA's expectations of you?

Working full time was a culture shock. The first few weeks BMA didn’t really set strong expectations for me. They let me know their values of being driven, being a team player, and being a problem solver which seemed easy enough. As long as I stuck to those, they were okay with how clueless I was.

Before I was too helpful, I had to learn processes like the client relationships, the bidding process, what all preliminary engineering entails, and how to interact with contractors and sub-consultants. It was a really big world with hundreds of acronyms, but once I caught onto the work, what they were giving me made a lot more sense.

6. What were some of the projects that you worked on?

I’ve worked on a lot of beach projects, like piers, outfalls, sea wall improvements, and boardwalks. I love working on the beach on days that work is slow I was always eager to make a site visit and enjoy the sunshine. I jokingly refer to it as my ‘second office’ at home.

I worked on a lot of parking lots and sidewalks. I helped with the beginning stages of some parks and lots of sidewalks.

Some of my favorite projects I worked on were ones like Combined Utilities, the living shoreline in Biloxi, and the west Biloxi Boardwalk. The coolest part of coming back the past two years was seeing the projects were still in motion. I got to see nearly every phase of each project’s development. It kind of felt like I was growing with them. And coming back to something familiar made it easier to jump back in each time.

7. How was this a beneficial opportunity for BMA (and other companies)?

I was lucky enough to be hired by BMA, so coming from that sense I think it was incredibly beneficial for them because they trained me ahead of time to be the engineer they needed once I joined the team permanently. There wasn’t much of an on-boarding process for me when I joined last month. I sat in on a few meetings my first day and was participating in meetings and working on drainage models by day two. I also was able to modify my educational experience because I knew where there were gaps in my education, I needed to fill to be better at my job.

As for employers who don’t plan to hire their interns, I think it could be hugely beneficial still. Processes like quantity take offs, opinion of cost, permit applications, and even drainage modeling are all tedious but relatively easy to learn processes. Having a co-op in the office is like having a design assistant.

8. How did this experience prepare you for employment?

I knew I either wanted to work for BMA or some other consulting firm and I was able to identify the gaps I needed to fill in my education. I took classes outside my program like Environmental Law to better understand permitting, and also modified my civil engineering electives. I also applied for an on-campus job that built more transferable skills. I worked for the sustainability office in the university office of planning. Universities are like small cities they constantly have buildings or roads in development, and there’s all kinds of permitting you need to do. Working there for a year also helped a lot with my professional development and built my network up too.

9. Do you think a co-op opportunity like this works well in smaller or larger firms? Or is it about the same?

I can only speak from my experience. In a small firm it’s great because I had direct contact with everyone in the company. I was not only mentored by the engineers in the office but exposed to the administrative aspects as well. BMA also works on such a broad spectrum of projects I was constantly learning something new.

In a larger company I could see it going either way. The potential of being pigeonholed in one department could be difficult for some students. But I could also see it being advantageous, more people to mentor you, more co-ops to interact with, more opportunities, etc.

At the end of the day, I think if a company wants to have a good co-op program, they could. Time is the most important resource to invest in a co-op program. Making time to mentor. From there any company will get out what they put in.

10. How did this complement your coursework? Did it make certain things easier for you?

My senior year was so easy. I learned so much my last semester of school, but I think that was because everything was familiar. I was no longer learning abstract concepts. I got in my hydrology classes already knowing what Manning’s Equation and time of concentration meant. Sometimes I would learn a new concept in class and actively recall “oh that’s why we had to do that for that one project.” It made the material much more engaging.

11. Why could companies consider doing this? What would be some of the benefits and drawbacks from a company's perspective?

I feel like companies should want to have co-ops so they can invest in the future generation of engineers. They have the opportunity to set an example and high standards for students entering the workforce.

I also think co-op’s are helpful. Like I mentioned earlier, they’re like technical assistants. Employers may have to take the time to teach or explain concepts. But the students are engineers in the making - they’re problem solvers and critical thinkers who want to impress you and provide quality work. Co-ops can fill in the gaps and even provide new perspectives to a company.

I feel like the co-ops BMA has had the past few years has helped the company improve its digital presence. Which I think was a unique and unexpected benefit.

As for drawbacks, I guess it’s an additional cost. And it does take time to invest in each student and teach them the ropes. There’s also always the risk of getting a bad apple, a student who doesn’t care as much or fit into the company culture as well. But these are all the same risks as taking on any new hire.

Earth Day 2022: Preserving our Wetlands

By BMA • April 22, 2022
First established in 1970, Earth Day officially marks the anniversary of the start of the environmental movement, and over the years have evolved to become a day to raise awareness for important environmental issues as well as honor and support the planet we all call home. Our little piece of Earth in Mississippi is comprised of many diverse habitats, and arguably the most important habitat can be found right here in Coastal Mississippi – coastal wetlands. Coastal wetlands are a protected habitat, thanks to the Coastal Wetlands Protection Law passed in 1973. But what exactly is a wetland and why should we care about protecting them? A wetland, which can be found throughout Mississippi’s three coastal counties, can be tidal marshes, swamps, bayous, beaches, wet pine savannas, contact springs and other aquatic habitats. Examples of local wetlands include Bellefontaine Marsh Preserve, Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge and Gulf Islands National Seashore, which contains all of the above named habitat types. Of the three coastal counties in Mississippi, Jackson County contains more preserved land than anywhere on the coast. Preservation of coastal wetlands is critical for the health of the environment and for the protection of important infrastructure in our everyday life. Here are three reasons why. 1. Wetlands provide flood protection. Think of a wetland as nature’s sponge. Wetlands hold water – from rain, groundwater and flood waters. Wetlands slow the spread of flood waters and slowly redistribute them over a floodplain. Water can also be stored in vegetation found in wetlands. When water can be naturally stored and flooding prevented, it keeps our daily infrastructure from buckling. 2. Wetlands are the preferred habitat for several endangered species. You may have never heard of a gopher tortoise or the dusky gopher frog, but they are just a couple of endangered or protected species found in Mississippi’s wetland habitats. Other species include the Mississippi Sandhill Crane. 3. Wetlands are a carbon sink. A carbon sink is a reservoir that accumulates and stores carbon from the atmosphere. Carbon sinks help regulate greenhouse gases. Without greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, Earth would be too cold to sustain life. Too many, and the temperature would reach around 400 degrees, (just slightly hotter than a Mississippi summer!). Carbon sinks are a strategy for nature’s long game, and coastal wetlands are a major contributor to the longevity and health of our planet. In keeping with BMA’s mission of “working to build a better Gulf Coast,” BMA’s environmental department touches nearly every project we manage. From mitigation banking to designing around wetlands and minimizing unnecessary impact, sometimes building something better means to simply leave it be. Patrick Mooney , GIT, BMA Environmental Geologist contributed to this article.

          A. Garner Russell & Associates, Inc. Merges with                       Brown, Mitchell & Alexander, Inc. - September 2018           

By Dominique Eckford • November 7, 2018
We have merged and we're moving forward! Our combined team has extensive experience in providing quality professional engineering services across the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. Together, as Brown, Mitchell & Alexander, Inc., we'll continue to provide design and construction management of road, bridge, drainage, water, wastewater, site improvement, coastal, industrial and surveying projects for public and private clients. Welcome to the BMA team: Scott Burge, P.E. | Doug Rackley, P.E. | Donny Cooley | Jeff Collins, P.S. Eric Garrison | Joshua Jenkins | Lessie Trotter | Jimmy Turan

Bill Mitchell Appointed to Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors

By Christine Knoll • November 14, 2017
Brown, Mitchell & Alexander Inc. (BMA) is pleased to announce that Mr. William C. “Bill” Mitchell has been appointed by Governor Phil Bryant to serve on the Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors. Bill Mitchell personifies the firm’s philosophy of “ Working to Build a Better Gulf Coast Community ”, and this appointment has honored him with an opportunity to extend that philosophy. By contributing his personal time and extensive experience to the State of Mississippi, Bill will continue to have a positive effect on the professional practice of engineering and surveying.

Fishbone Alley Downtown Gulfport has made the New York Post!

By Christine Knoll • April 4, 2017
BMA is proud to have provided design and construction services to make the cities vision a reality. Check out the article below: http://nypost.com/2017/04/03/8-amazing-american-streets-youve-never-heard-of/

DRONE- BASED SURVEY AND MAPPING SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE 

By Christine Knoll • March 1, 2017
Drone based mapping can be utilized for a number of applications including: topographic surveys and aerial imagery that can be included with boundary surveys, real estate listing and appraisals, environmental assessments, industrial inspections, forensic accident and crime scene investigation, stockpile measurement, construction inspection and site development planning. Our drone can go where traditional methods can’t.

BMA Promoting Careers in Engineering by Participating in Co-Op Education Program

By BMA Administration • May 1, 2016
Brown, Mitchell & Alexander, Inc. (BMA) is participating in the Cooperative Education Program through Mississippi State University to hire students to work in the “real world” to assist them in obtaining their career dreams. The Cooperative Education Program provides a structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience. Working as a “co-op” provides academic credit for structured job experience as well as aids in helping young people make a smooth transition from school to work. Jeremiah Glasz and Maggie Smith went through the interview process and were selected for employment with BMA as co-op employees through this program. Jeremiah joined BMA in January, 2015, while Maggie will join the BMA team in the Summer of 2015. Both anticipate graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering in 2016.

Bill Mitchell Earns Construction Manager Certification

By BMA Administration • May 1, 2016
Brown, Mitchell & Alexander Inc. is proud to announce that Mr. William C. “Bill” Mitchell has been designated as a Certified Construction Manager by the Construction Manager Certification Institute. He is one of only 7 Certified Construction Managers in the State of Mississippi. The Construction Management Certification Program is administered by the Construction Manager Certification Institute (CMCI), an independent administrative body of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). The Certified Construction Manager (CCM) designation is the “gold standard” in personnel credentials for the Construction Management profession. It is the only CM certification accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 17024 standard. Bill is also a Registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor. He received a Civil Engineering Degree and Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University. Mr. Mitchell has 40 years’ experience in Civil Engineering and Construction Management and is very knowledgeable of construction practices and regulations along the Gulf Coast and within the State of Mississippi. As a Principal of Brown, Mitchell & Alexander, Inc., Mr. Mitchell is directly responsible for many functions of this active and progressive civil / consulting engineering firm. He is also an active member of the Civil Engineering Advisory Board (MS State University), Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board (MS State University), Water Environment Federation (WEF) Member, and State Representative for Engineers Without Borders. About Brown Mitchell & Alexander, Inc.: Brown, Mitchell & Alexander, Inc. (BMA) is a consulting engineering firm specializing in civil engineering consulting services, planning and surveying services for a wide range of clients along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Originally established in 1967 as Brown Engineers by Mr. Joseph L. Brown, Jr., the firm has earned the reputation as one of the strongest engineering firms on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. BMA has offices conveniently located in both Gulfport and Biloxi. More information on the company’s notable achievements, services provided, key leadership, and history can be found at: http://www.bmaengineers.com . Contact: Brown, Mitchell & Alexander, Inc. Lorrie McCampbell, Office Manager 228-864-7612 Lorrie@bmaengineers.com