My name is Emma Clark, and I was fortunate enough to work on the Capital Improvements team at the City of San Rafael Department of Public Works this summer (’24). As an Environmental Analysis/ Policy Major at Pitzer College, while my passion for civil improvements, equitable access to safe roads, and community improvements is substantial, my experience in a field like Public Works was not. Luckily, by the end of my summer-long experience as a Dean Allison intern, I can happily say that is no longer the case! I feel I now have a breadth of knowledge surrounding the civic processes that are at play each time we see a Public Works team repairing potholes, vital bridges being evaluated by structural engineers, or striping teams hard at work painting fresh bike lanes.
As an intern at Public Works, you are not only allowed, but encouraged, to learn about all your colleagues’ emerging projects, exciting breakthroughs, and momentous achievements. I’ve been able to participate in projects on a scale I could never have imagined prior to this experience. I’ve learned so much about budgeting my time on various projects, navigating avenues of professional communication, and determining when I can work through something myself, and when it’s best to ask for help. I feel my preparedness to enter the professional world has increased tenfold in just a few short months.
My favorite part of this internship is undoubtedly the people I’ve been able to work with and learn from. San Rafael’s DPW has an incredibly strong team of Engineers, Managers, Administrators, and Maintenance Employees. I was struck immediately by the high caliber of employee hired by the City. It was honestly pretty intimidating! That being said, however, my apprehension abated the minute I began talking to my new coworkers. Each and every employee at the DPW has gone above and beyond to make me feel welcomed, included, and important. As an intern, you’re often needing instruction from senior employees, which can take time and energy from your colleagues. None of my coworkers ever made me feel that helping me was unworthy of their time or consideration. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with them, if only for a short while. One thing I can absolutely say to any concerned community members is: rest assured, San Rafael is in good hands! A huge thank you to all of the incredible people that work hard every day to ensure that it stays that way.