martins Mikelis Silins, engineer at skanska, Boston, USA
During my internship at SKANSKA Civil, North East, I work as a VDC Engineer, contributing to the development of several key aspects of a project. One of the major tasks I was working on was the bidding for the Rourke Bridge job in Lowell, MA. During this, I supported creating 3D models to visualize how to build the structure, taking into consideration the details that were available. Modeling in detail the bridge and its construction sequence, what is called 'sequencing', allowed us to get a view of the potential obstacles at an early stage of the job, thus reducing risks but also making the planning at the construction stage more effective.
Besides modeling, I am actively involved in coordinating information across most of the office's departments. This requires effective communication and organization to keep all teams on the same page, thus allowing for good project flow and timely decision-making. My role also involved multiple site visits that allowed me hands-on experience and insights into how construction practices are applied on-site. During my work, observing SKANSKA win a number of project bids provided me with deeper insights into the competitive bidding process and the critical role of VDC in supporting project feasibility and planning.
Outside of work, I manage to stay active through volleyball and playing in several leagues across Boston. This keeps me not only balanced with work but exposes me to a different array of people, thus often leading to social gatherings and further expanding my professional and personal networks. These experiences have further helped me develop teamwork and communication skills, both on and off the court. This is coupled with extensive travel across the eastern U.S. and Canada for broadened cultural and professional perspectives. I have visited Florida, where I had a view of Everglades National Park and saw lots of alligators, plus a view of Key West. I also went to Upstate New York to see Niagara Falls and had a chance to visit Toronto, Canada. I visited Kennedy's Space Center.
I also visited Manhattan on numerous occasions for various SKANSKA site visits, which included Grand Central Station and Moynihan Station, where SKANSKA was blasting new Metro tunnels in the heart of the city. These experiences allowed me to witness firsthand how large-scale infrastructure projects are managed in complex urban environments.
During my internship, I have gained much exposure to the integration of technology in construction processes and further developed my skills in 3D modeling, project sequencing, and collaboration between departments. This has given me not only more in-depth technical knowledge but also a deeper understanding of the dynamics involved in large-scale infrastructure projects in the U.S. construction industry.
