Summer Intern Series: Meet Nathan "Nate" de Ropp

Written by: Emily Quinn

Summer Intern, Nate de RoppThe Bureau of Reclamation offers diverse internship opportunities for students interested in engineering, hydrology, biology, chemistry, geology, and much more. At Reclamation, we want to see college students land a job that will fulfill their interests.

One of the interns with us this summer, Nathan or “Nate” de Ropp, comes to us from Davis, California, and is enrolled in a Bachelor of Science degree program focused on Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Currently, Nate is working on designing water treatment options for groundwater sources throughout the Navajo Nation. The opportunity provides him with experience working with, and knowledge about, ion-exchange membranes which he feels will be helpful as he moves toward a career.

Nate’s internship is challenging, and requires him to learn new concepts quickly – especially when it comes to applied chemistry. This is a challenge commonly experienced within most career positions, and enables students to recognize the importance of flexibility and being able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Right now, Nate is preparing to finish his Undergraduate degree. He’s considering whether to pursue a Master’s degree in water resources and hydrology, or to move straight into a career position upon graduation. A future with Reclamation may be in the works. Nate is considering a position with us once he graduates and says, “The work here seems fascinating and fulfilling.”

Our internship opportunities provide students with a chance to recognize the importance and value of infrastructure and water management in the American west. As Nate says, “Somebody’s got to manage the water in the West.” He’s right, and we need students like Nate to help us continue our operations well into the future.

Published on July 19, 2017