Summer Intern Series: Meet Ben Hoffman

Written by: Jesselyn Hamilton

Ben HoffmanThe 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.

Ben Hoffman is a summer intern from Rancho Santa Margarita, California. He is currently studying Biomedical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University. The aspect of the internship Ben enjoyed the most was when he was tasked with reaching out and talking to managers or engineers from different groups. Ben found that these interactions gave him interesting insight into how things get done. Also, he said, these discussions "made me realize that you can’t really know where you’re going to end up in 5 years."

In terms of takeaways from his internship, Ben learned that being an engineer requires much more than technical knowledge alone. He discovered that communication and collaboration skills are as essential to project success as technical expertise. Ben will return to college this fall with a new understanding of the full scope of skills that are valued in the workforce.

After college, Ben hopes to work designing medical devices. However, when asked if he had his sights on a career with Reclamation, he said, "Most of the people I’ve talked to are pretty passionate about what they’re doing here and if I could find a way to play a part, too, that would be great."

Ben’s experience as an intern has led him to greatly value Reclamation as an agency. He said, "I think the Bureau of Reclamation is important because the work being done here is needed. These projects affect the lives of millions of Americans and I can’t think of more meaningful or fulfilling work than improving the lives of fellow citizens."

Ben’s intern experiences will serve him well and provide him with an array of useful knowledge and tools as he progresses in his education. Reclamation is grateful for the opportunity to mentor young professionals who will play a significant role in shaping the future.

Published on August 18, 2017