With nearly 80 years of engineering expertise, Walla Walla University’s Edward F. Cross School of Engineering has built a strong alumni network of professional engineers dedicated to helping future engineers succeed. Just as valuable, however, are the insights students gain when they step into professional roles and return to share what they’ve learned.
In November, WWU’s student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers hosted a colloquium focused on internship experiences. Six engineering students discussed how their internships unfolded and the lessons they learned.
For bioengineering student Cristina Showalter, her internship with CFD Research highlighted that learning never stops. “In science, bioengineering and biotech, you are always learning,” she said. Working alongside Ph.D.s, Showalter helped research how viruses kill bacteria, eventually leading her own project filtering toxins from samples used in further testing. The experience taught her confidence and adaptability.
Civil engineering student Kyle Smithson interned with the Washington Department of Transportation, where he discovered how different professional work is from classroom learning. “A job is very project focused,” he said, emphasizing the importance of cost, timelines, and contract specifications in real-world engineering.
Mechanical engineering student James Mayhew had similar revelations at John Deere. Rather than receiving constant direction, he was given ownership of projects. “If you want something, you have to go after it,” he said, noting the importance of communication, initiative, and collaboration across teams.
Internships also challenged students to solve real problems with tangible impact. Civil engineering student Natalie Hunter worked with Deacon Engineering on residential and commercial projects, from designing decks to removing bearing walls. She credited WWU coursework for her preparation and emphasized learning to ask for help and accept feedback as key professional skills.
Electrical engineering student Jeff McCormick interned with Cornerstone Building Brands, where he led a project from concept to completion. His continuous improvement map board helped streamline processes, resulting in up to 15 percent efficiency gains and significant cost savings. The experience taught him patience and problem-solving under real constraints.
Mechanical engineering student Sebastian Cancel worked at Burke Advanced Industries to help develop a prototype converting dirt bike engines from four-stroke to two-stroke. Despite design setbacks, the team neared a finished prototype, and Cancel was listed as a co-inventor on the patent. “It’s exciting to take an idea and see it come to life,” he said.
Students also shared advice for securing internships. Showalter encouraged confidence, reminding peers not to underestimate their value. Mayhew described internships as extended interviews, noting that his experience led to a full-time rotational program offer at John Deere. McCormick emphasized networking and persistence, while Cancel advised starting the search early. Hunter added that internships can extend beyond summer, providing long-term professional growth.
For Smithson, internships offer clarity. “An internship is a fantastic way to determine if engineering is really what you want to do,” he said.
To learn more about engineering at WWU, visit wallawalla.edu/engineering.
Posted Dec. 16, 2025
