Veronica Sciulli, a junior studying environmental engineering, spent her summer interning with Allegheny County Public Works. Although she grew up in Pittsburgh, she still had a lot to learn about the roads she travels on. The experience followed an internship with Three Rivers Waterkeepers the previous summer.
What made you interested in Environmental Engineering?
When I was in middle school, my mom used to take me to these Society of Women Engineers day camps because she knew I loved building things. One of the speakers was a civil engineer who discussed her research on fish behavior and related topics, including erosion and sediment levels. Before that, I always thought engineering simply meant building things—like bridges. That’s when I learned an engineer could be so much more. Then, in high school, I took AP Environmental Science and developed a fascination with bird watching. Those experiences elevated my interest in natural systems. Environmental Engineering is just the perfect combo of my interests.
What made you decide Environmental Engineering was more than an interest, that it was something you wanted to do as a career?
It blew my mind when I discovered how easily pollution can spread within a waterway. I want to help mitigate that. Additionally, engineering is so broad. I love solving problems, learning new things, and discovering myself down paths that I would have never thought of— that's just so much fun for me. As an environmental engineer, I can both have fun while pursuing my passion to make a better world.
What was a typical day of your internship?
Typically, I review a lot of plans for things like roadways, construction projects, or process 811 call-before-you-dig requests. There's what they call “the vault,” which contains plans dating back to the 1800s. We are reviewing new requests and cross-referencing them with historical plans to ensure everything aligns. Then, we go out into the field to mark those off and triple-check the plans.
What’s your favorite part of the day?
Getting the plans, which is just a 2D piece of paper, is sometimes hard to visualize. However, going out into the field with the plans and seeing it all together is always a big help and it’s fun to see how everything will fall into place.
What was the biggest challenge?
Learning how to read the plans. There are so many lines, and some are dashed, and there are words and arrows everywhere—that’s why I like going out to the field so much!
What are your career goals?
Currently, I am more inclined to work in industry than pursue an academic career. There's more that I can do for the community. At Allegheny County Public Works, there's so much that goes on behind the scenes, and seeing everything they do to make a positive impact speaks to me and how I want to make a difference in my community.
How has EME helped you towards your goal?
I have an EME scholarship this summer, which allows me to take two summer classes in addition to my internship. This has helped me gain valuable networking experience and gain a deeper understanding of my career goals. Also, my advisors are fantastic. I spent my first two years at the Penn State Altoona campus, and this upcoming year will be my first at the University Park campus. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming, which has made the transition a lot easier—even though I ask a lot of questions!