Inside CMT’s Internship Experience

CMT’s Internship Program provides opportunities in civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering; aviation and transportation planning; accounting, information technology, human resources, and marketing and communications. This summer, we welcomed 38 interns representing 21 different schools across our footprint. 

Impactful, Educational, and Hands-On  

Whether our CMT summer interns were working on airport design or supporting transportation projects, they worked alongside skilled professionals, quickly becoming meaningful contributors to their teams.  

To better understand the internship journey, we reached out to interns across several CMT offices to share their perspectives. Their insights revealed an internship program built around real projects, real technical growth, and real opportunities to learn.

Here’s what interns across CMT had to say about the opportunities and lessons that made their internship memorable.  

Real Projects, Real Contributions 

At CMT, interns don’t just observe projects. They take on responsibilities that build technical skills, develop confidence, and showcase how ideas become infrastructure.

“One thing that surprised me was the opportunity to work on and collaborate on real-world projects that directly impact our communities.”
Lily F., Surface Transportation Intern (Springfield, MO) 

“I had the freedom to make guided decisions about important features, such as circuit route and load calculations. My favorite part is knowing that I may visit this airport someday and be able to say I helped design part of it.”
Aiden G., Electrical Aviation Intern (Jacksonville, FL) 

“It feels like every day I get to work on something new or try something for the first time.”
Jack L., Surface Transportation Intern (Indianapolis, IN) 

Growth Through Experience 

While technical skills are an important part of the internship experience, many interns said some of their biggest takeaways came from collaboration, mentorship, and the support of their colleagues. 

“I actively worked on leadership and project manager training initiatives, so being on such a high-performing and diverse team has made my summer engaging – I’ve learned so much.”
Ethan T., Human Resources Intern (Springfield, IL) 

“I was surprised by how supportive the community is in the office. People are constantly trying to connect with you and others. They are always open and friendly.”
Rachel B., Surface Transportation Intern (St. Louis, MO)

“You’ll learn more than you probably ever thought you could in just three months. On top of that, you get to work on real civil engineering projects, not just typical intern assignments.”
Garrett H., Building Site Services Intern (Springfield, MO) 

Lessons Worth Sharing 

CMT interns emphasize that growth comes from asking questions, embracing challenges, and stepping outside your comfort zone. Here is what they would tell future CMT interns before getting started. 

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Everyone here knows that you are here to learn and gain insight into everyday life alongside the technical aspect. People will be open answering a question you have and walk you through something if you don’t understand.”
Christian J., Surface Transportation Intern (Jacksonville, FL) 

“I would ask my coworkers for background information and practice standards to lead me in the right direction. This helped me connect the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of project planning and design.”
Maxwell M., Water Resources Intern (St. Louis, MO) 

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. They are a natural part of the learning process and often lead to some of the most valuable lessons. Embrace challenges, seek feedback, and apply what you learn along the way to maximize your success and development throughout your internship.”
Joshua G., Aviation Intern (St. Louis, MO) 

Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow 

For many, an internship is often the first step in a professional journey. At CMT, that step comes with opportunities to contribute, learn, and grow from your first day. By combining real project experience with mentorship and collaboration, the CMT Internship Program equips all participants with the tools to succeed wherever their careers take them next. It’s more than a summer opportunity. It is the beginning of what is possible.  

Start building your future with CMT.  Explore available opportunities and learn how you can contribute from day one.