Jackson, from the University of Hong Kong, and Velu, from the Nanyang Technological University, embarked on their J-1 internship* journey at GC ENG & ASSOCIATES.

*The J-1 internship is one of 15 programs offered within the Department of State's Exchange Visitor Program, facilitated through designated visa sponsors. Jackson is a participant of the CCIP Internship in NYC, and their program is administered by FUSIA, a designated sponsor in the J-1 internship.

Jackson, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student, decided to pursue a US internship at GC Eng & Associates during the summer of 2023, marking his second participation in the J-1 exchange program. Prior to this, he also took part in an academic exchange at Northeastern University amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When asked why he was so eager to come to the US again, considering he had attended an exchange program for a semester during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackson commented that his previous experience was solely focused on the classroom. This time, however, the internship presented an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations, whmething he truly needed before entering the workforce.

Before joining the US internship, Jackson had already completed an internship in Hong Kong. When asked about the difference between the two experiences, he noted significant distinctions. In Hong Kong, the emphasis was more on technical skills, while in the US, the focus shifted towards practical experience, soft skill development, situational management, communication, and interactions with people, which he considered essential for his future career.

Now that Jackson is ready to intern for the second half of the program, he was asked if his experience was different from what he had thought before. Jackson commented that he had previously been to Boston and other different cities, but New York felt so unique – like a melting pot of all cultures. It gave him a lot of fresh perspectives on top of innovations, diversity, and stress in the work environment.

When asked if there was anything else he wanted to add, Jackson encouraged others to step out of their comfort zones. “The benefits from US internships were far different and went beyond what other places could offer. He believed that the skills, knowledge, and views he learned in the US, especially managerial skills, would probably benefit him more in his future career as a manager and help him position himself in the professional arena,” Jackson added.

Jackson stated that the United States offers an environment where innovation thrives, and as much of his formative college years was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, he aimed to challenge himself to provide a positive impact both within his home country and on an international scale.

Jackson also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Gene Eng, his boss, for providing him with this opportunity, along with his other colleagues. Jackson felt that his assignments were very challenging, and he was happy to be treated as part of the team, not simply as an intern.

On the other hand, Velu, a second-year mechanical engineering student, is required to complete a 5-month internship at a firm office to graduate. “Why not differentiate myself from my peers who are interning in Singapore and do an oversea internship? I ended up finding this internship when conducting some research online and thought this could be a win-win situation. I get to gain experience with my major and experience a new culture!”

Upon joining GC ENG & ASSOCIATES, Velu actively contributed to the building services side of mechanical engineering, an area where he lacked experience initially. However, with the help of his team, he has been involved in numerous drawings, calculations, and software work using AutoCAD, making every day meaningful. He expressed his gratitude to all the engineers for their guidance and support.

Velu emphasizes the importance of keeping a notepad and pen nearby. Velu talked about how he likes to take notes while communicating with his superior. As he deals with many small details and calculations, taking notes would save a lot of time for both you and your coworkers. “In mechanical engineering, you would also be exposed to many drawings and diagrams. Color coding the outline can make it a lot more efficient when referring to it later. That way, you don’t waste your time trying to figure out what is what.”

"What is especially valuable to me is that I feel treated as part of the ‘family’ despite being new," Velu added. “I wanted to especially thank Jackson for guiding me through each step. I’m rather new to this internship, so I’m not as familiar with the office culture and requirements. Jackson have been extremely patient with me and even gave me small tips!”

GC ENG & ASSOCIATES is a NYC-based consulting engineering firm founded in 1993 by Gene Eng, PE. Since its inception, the firm has built its reputation as a dedicated and principled company with a wide range of services and talents. The company specializes in providing a comprehensive range of design and consultation services for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and fire alarm systems.