This summer, while many students chose to travel or return home to visit family, master’s civil engineering student Ahmed Maqsood Ali Khan spent his time gaining practical experience in structural engineering by interning with Hammel, Green and Abrahamson (HGA), an interdisciplinary architecture and engineering firm in Washington, D.C. Having earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in India, Khan is now focused on expanding his knowledge in real-world structural evaluation. The internship with HGA was an opportunity for Khan to bridge his academic proficiency with actual engineering challenges.
When asked about how he found the internship opportunity, Khan said he engaged in extensive networking by connecting with structural engineers on LinkedIn and applied to countless internships through companies’ LinkedIn career pages. His efforts paid off when he was offered the internship at HGA.
“I built relationships with those who were already in the industry. They were extremely supportive and even offered guidance on the application process,” said Khan.
Working with the structural engineering team at HGA, Khan was involved in several building projects, including commercial sites, contributing to the analysis and design of structural steel framing. He also performed site walks to verify load paths and constructability.
“My role centered on structural analysis, design, and coordination,” said Khan. “I generated full analytical models in RAM Structural System and RISA-3D, established project specific ASCE 7-22 load criteria, and designed key elements like canopies, diaphragms, base plates, spread footings, retaining walls, crane beams, and moment frames. For each of the elements, I checked the strength, drift, fatigue and serviceability. I also reviewed load paths for heavy medical equipment rooms, produced Revit mark-ups to relay changes to the drafting team, and made field visits to confirm existing validated site conditions.”
Khan specifically cites his coursework in advanced structural analysis, renewable energy structures, lateral forces, and investigation, diagnosis, and rehabilitation as being particularly helpful during his time with HGA. He said the information and core concepts informed his approach to validating design assumptions and solving project challenges.
One of the standout aspects of Khan’s internship was his daily interactions with his supervisor, whose mentorship style encouraged continuous learning.
Each day his supervisor would ask, ‘Ahmed, did you learn something new today?’. This simple question set the tone for an environment of inquiry and growth. Whenever Ahmed brought up challenges in response, his supervisor provided clear guidance and support.
“Every day, this process made me a better engineer than the day before—it also made each day rewarding,” said Khan.
For other students who are interested in interning while earning their degree, Khan would advise them to focus on time management and task prioritization. Additionally, he would encourage them to be respectful of others’ time and emphasizes the importance of asking clear, well-framed questions.
“These habits allow you to stand out, and they make a noticeable difference, especially on fast-paced projects,” he said.