If I could use one word to encompass my time at Carpenter Marty Transportation, it would be ‘growth.’ My entire experience here has been a great learning opportunity. I came in with limited insight into what working as a civil engineer looked like after graduation, but over the course of my internship, I’ve had the chance to learn from each sector at CM, from traffic to roadway to bridge, and gain a better understanding of what each one entails.

From day one, I was given opportunities to get involved in real work. I helped set up cameras at intersections to collect traffic data and was introduced to several Bentley software platforms for the first time, including MicroStation, OpenRoads, SignCAD, and OpenBridge Designer. Getting hands-on experience with industry-standard programs has helped me build valuable technical skills and made me more confident in my career path.

One important lesson I learned at Carpenter Marty Transportation is that making mistakes is actually a good thing. In school, I was constantly afraid of getting things wrong and losing points. But here, I realized that mistakes are part of the learning process toward becoming a better engineer. Every time I made an error, I was encouraged to understand it and correct it, making sure it wouldn’t be repeated twice. That mindset helped me grow faster and feel more comfortable tackling new challenges. This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible team at CM. Everyone was approachable and supportive. No matter how small my question or how uncertain I was, I was always encouraged to ask, and someone was always willing to help. This kind of environment made learning easier and gave me the confidence to take on new tasks.

One of the highlights of my time here was getting to see a bridge inspection up close. It was a unique experience that brought everything I’d been learning to life and gave me a deeper appreciation for the field.

Beyond the technical experience, I also made great memories, from going out to lunch with coworkers to attending my first baseball game. Seeing everyone outside of the office helped me build deeper connections and truly feel like part of the team. Overall, my time at Carpenter Marty Transportation has shaped my understanding of what it means to work in transportation engineering and helped me understand the direction I want to take after graduation. I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned and for the team that made it all possible.

Ahlaam Mohammed

The Ohio State University

Class of 2026