National Intern Day 2026
July 29, 2026
This summer, BETA welcomed interns across multiple disciplines and offices, giving local college students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while contributing to projects that make a difference in our communities. From field investigations and engineering design to environmental permitting and GIS, our interns have been an important part of project teams throughout New England.
Meet Our Featured Interns
We asked three of our staff mentors what their interns have been working on this summer.
Transportation
Joey Tam, junior at UMass Dartmouth pursuing a B.S. in Civil Engineering — Quotes by mentor Ben Boynton
“Joey has worked on a wide variety of transportation projects this summer. His experience has included conducting pedestrian curb ramp surveys and ADA compliance assessments in Boston, assisting with AutoCAD plan setup and design markups, collecting field measurements for culvert and bridge replacement projects in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, supporting hydrologic and hydraulic modeling efforts, and using GPS equipment to locate wetland flagging in the field.”
Environmental Services
Fionna Pennington, master’s candidate at Northeastern University pursuing an M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy — Quotes by mentor Jonathan Niro
“Fionna has supported a diverse range of environmental projects this summer. Her work has included wetland resource area delineations and GPS data collection for a proposed multiuse path in Smithfield, Rhode Island, environmental monitoring and construction oversight in Massachusetts, GIS mapping for the Norfolk Open Space and Recreation Plan update, field measurements for culvert replacement planning, drafting permit applications for public infrastructure and recreation projects, and assisting with wetland delineation peer reviews.”
Transportation
Katie Galgay, student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute pursuing a B.S. in Civil Engineering — Quotes by mentor Jared Linhares
“Katie has supported several transportation and stormwater projects across both design and field assignments for a variety of municipal and state clients. She played a significant role in the 2026 Bristol Paving Project, assisting with plan development, cost estimates, specifications, permitting, and bid document preparation. She has also performed field work, including GPS data collection and drainage network investigations to document pipe connectivity, measure-downs, culvert dimensions, and existing infrastructure conditions to support hydraulic analyses and design decisions.”
How have your interns contributed to your team?
“Joey has been a tremendous asset to our team, consistently stepping up to support a wide variety of project needs. He brings a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and enthusiastic energy that has made him a valued contributor across both office and field assignments.”
“Fionna has contributed very meaningfully to our team. She has been a tremendous help preparing supporting documentation for the Norfolk Open Space and Recreation Plan while also contributing to both field and office work for several permitting projects. She jumps into new assignments head-first, learns quickly, and pays close attention to the details that make each project unique. Whether preparing reports, collecting field data, or creating maps and figures, she has proven herself to be adaptable and dependable.”
“Katie has been a great addition to our team this summer, providing support throughout multiple stages of project development—from initial data collection and design through permitting and bid-ready documents. She has also developed experience with industry tools including AutoCAD, HydroCAD, and GIS, applying them to real-world engineering projects while consistently taking on new challenges with a positive attitude.”
What skills or qualities has your intern demonstrated?
“Joey has shown a strong willingness to learn and take on new challenges while maintaining a positive attitude regardless of the task at hand. Whether conducting field work in the summer heat, navigating difficult terrain, or wading into streams to collect measurements, he approaches every assignment with resilience and dedication.”
“Fionna has done an excellent job applying the knowledge she gained during previous co-ops with MassDEP and MassDOT to her work at BETA. Rather than simply completing assigned tasks, she takes the time to understand the purpose behind them and approaches each project thoughtfully. She has also demonstrated impressive resilience in the field. During a wetland boundary peer review, she spent the day bushwhacking through greenbrier and poison ivy while maintaining a positive attitude and carefully documenting observations so the technical review could proceed efficiently.”
“Katie has demonstrated a strong willingness to learn and adapt while building technical skills across a variety of engineering disciplines. She approaches new assignments with curiosity and professionalism, asks thoughtful questions, and has become increasingly confident both in the field and in the office. Her attention to detail, reliability, and eagerness to contribute have made her a valuable member of the team.”
Recognizing Our Interns Across BETA
While these stories highlight just a few intern experiences, they represent the curiosity, teamwork, and dedication demonstrated by interns across BETA this summer.
Whether working in the field, collaborating in the office, or supporting projects behind the scenes, we’re grateful for the enthusiasm and fresh perspectives our interns bring each summer.
We’re proud to see many continue their journeys with BETA through returning internships and full-time careers.