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Choose your own adventure as an intern at Barr

July 24, 2024
Choose your own adventure as an intern at Barr As a process engineering intern in Barr’s Minneapolis, Minnesota, office, Alex Boyd enjoys the freedom they have to tailor their workload to their passions.

Each year, we eagerly welcome interns to join our project teams, where they gain firsthand experience in one of our offices, the field, or both. This summer, Barr’s 24 interns and co-op students are spread out across eight of our offices in the United States and Canada.

Alex Boyd is a process engineering intern based in our Minneapolis office. Here, we catch up with Alex to learn more about their impactful internship experience at Barr.

Where are you studying, and what are some of your academic interests?  

I’m a chemical engineering student at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), and I have a biochemical emphasis. I started as a physics major, then switched to chemistry, added on biology as a double major for a couple years, then switched to biological engineering, and after all of that, I finally switched to chemical engineering. Some of the coursework I’ve really enjoyed involves separation processes and controls. 

What initially drew you to this field?  

“I've always been drawn to STEM and learning how things work. I find the physical world very fascinating.”

I’ve always been drawn to STEM and learning how things work. I find the physical world very fascinating, so I was planning on getting a PhD and going into research.

I learned a lot through working in a lab and found out that being a PhD researcher isn’t for me since I enjoy more hands-on problem-solving, which led me to change my major to engineering. While in biological engineering, I realized I liked process engineering a lot and found that chemical engineering would naturally train me better for it.  

What does the average workday look like for you?  

I’m usually working on four to five projects at once, so it depends on which project is picking up and what’s in swing that week. I’ll mark up process flow diagrams and piping and instrumentation diagrams. I’ve also helped with sizing calculations for tanks, sumps, and cyclones. I’ve done technical writing too, including change orders, bid documents, and a technical memorandum. It’s honestly hard to say what the day-to-day looks like for me, since it’s always so different.

What types of projects have you been involved with at Barr so far?  

I’ve been on quite a few mining operations projects, ranging from the feasibility of creating a mine to designing the process for one in the works. I’ve also been working on an air quality control project on the backend, helping with documents for the contractor bidding process. And I’ve worked on preventative maintenance planning. In total, I think I’ve played some part in at least 14 projects this summer.

How has this internship helped you step out of your comfort zone?  

“I wasn’t expecting to have so much freedom to craft my workload and choose the work I’m interested in.”

I wasn’t expecting to have so much freedom to craft my workload and choose the work I’m interested in. You don’t expect that much free reign as an intern.

You expect a lot of bumpers and structure in an internship, but this format has helped push me out of my comfort zone—to ask for the work I’m interested in, communicate my goals, and make lasting connections with people.

What has been the most valuable piece of advice you have received on the job? 

The most valuable piece of advice I received was to not stress about overcommunication. Since there's a less rigid structure here, it can be helpful to overcommunicate and keep people updated. It’s good to respond quickly to something, even if you don’t have a full answer yet and to keep people in the loop with progress updates. Overcommunication can be okay, especially here!

How would you describe Barr’s work culture and people? 

Everyone is very invested in their field and wants everyone else to succeed. Working here is a two-way street. You learn how to get plugged into the work that interests you, and establishing those connections is mutually beneficial. People here really do care about what they do, and they want each other to be successful. Plus, everyone is really nice!

What would you say to someone considering an internship at Barr? 

“Really take responsibility for your learning. Come in with goals, and go into your interview with goals.”

I’d say to really take responsibility for your learning. Come in with goals, and go into your interview with goals.

The free market approach applies to interns too, so you'll find that you have a lot of power to craft your own learning and choose your projects. Be someone that has goals, and make sure to communicate them and continue to communicate them.

What do you like to do with your free time? 

Frisbee. I like to play ultimate frisbee a lot. I play for Mizzou’s club team during the school year. I was one of our captains last year, and we traveled to Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. I’m playing for a team at Barr during the summer too. I also play for a local club team and we do some traveling throughout the summer, which is really fun.

Interested in becoming an intern at Barr? Learn more.

About the author

Evie Zick is currently a fourth-year student studying communications and multimedia at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. As a corporate communications intern at Barr, she is gaining hands-on experience in internal and external content creation, social media, and graphic design. Her passions include writing, visual arts and design, environmental conservation, and solution-based storytelling.

Image gallery

1. Alex plays on Mizzou’s ultimate frisbee club team during the school year.

2. Putting their ultimate frisbee skills to the test, Alex participates in a tournament with Mizzou.

3. Alex marks up a process flow diagram for a mining project using engineering software Bluebeam.

Image gallery

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Barr Culture Career Internship Process Design

 

Corporate Communications Intern
Evie Zick
Corporate Communications Intern
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