"My experience at LACSD improved my knowledge of environmental engineering through projects in my assigned department and more broadly through weekly tours and presentations. I learned about the regulatory process required to close a landfill and gained experience writing a request for proposals directed toward potential consultants. This project familiarized me with an area of environmental engineering that is now of great interest to me. I enjoyed the weekly tours where I was able to ask questions of experienced engineers. We were able to learn how the business actually works - something you can't get from a textbook. I also enjoyed the responsibilities I was given later in my experience at the Districts. I was able to work on the same type of tasks as other engineers in my department and was given freedom to plan my course of action on the project. Since working for the Sanitation Districts, I have gained a better understanding of the relationships between regulators, consultants, contractors and LACSD. I also did not previously understand that engineers at LACSD play an important role in informing regulatory bodies on the potential impacts of their decisions."

Chris Moline--Graduate Student – University of Michigan:

"I liked the weekly field trips, it allowed the interns to see different operations outside their own departments. Working at the landfill certainly helped me learn about Solid Waste management. Coming from Wastewater Operations and Field Engineering where the work is mostly concentrated on sewerage and treatment plants, Solid Waste is definitely a fresh experience."

Billy Chu—Undergraduate Student– Cal Poly Pomona:

“This program provided me with a lot of insight on wastewater engineering from a research standpoint. One of the most important things I learned was that there is so much to learn about wastewater and solid waste engineering because they are such multi-disciplinary fields, and I've barely scratched the surface. However, by working with Wastewater Research, I now have a better understanding of how to approach a problem that hasn't been dealt with before and to think critically to find the best solution.”

“My favorite aspect of the program was the weekly tours. It was valuable to learn about the different areas of LACSD and to see the big picture as well as the details. I found it to be a great educational break from everyday work and it gave us an opportunity to share our daily experiences at LACSD with the other interns. I also feel very appreciative of the program coordinators for being extremely helpful all throughout the summer and making us feel like we matter to the District even though we'd only be here for a short time.”

Gloria Pak ---Graduate Student– Cal State Fullerton:

“The program has given me a chance to learn and be stretched as a young engineer not only in air quality, but also in the other aspects of environmental engineering such as solid waste. Through the presentations and tours I was able to see and gain understanding of landfills and energy recovery facilities, which are topics that have been over looked in my undergrad studies. Typically, when I think of Environmental Engineering I think of all the different water related engineering e.g. waste water treatment, water supply, hydrology, hydraulics... As a result of this internship my view of disciplines has been broadened within this branch of engineering. The most valuable thing that I can take away from my experience with the summer program is a discipline to pursue a career in. Tours of facilities and conversations with the speakers has provided insight as to where my talents would best be utilized as well as where I would feel like I am using my strengths to help others.”

Kyle Bertolucci--- Undergraduate Student– Cal Poly Pomona:

“I began working at the Districts with the belief that the working environment would be an individualistic environment; however, that quickly changed after my first day on the job. I noticed that the Districts’ success relies on it’s team-oriented environment and have been able to see that through the collective effort that members put forth at all levels of the organization to treat LA County’s wastewater. I enjoy working in a team-oriented environment so LACSD fits in with the type of working environment that I enjoy.”

Arturo Gomez ---Graduate Student– Cal State Long Beach:

“The hands-on experience has improved my understanding of wastewater treatment/reclamation.”

Diep Vu ---Graduate Student – Cal State Fullerton:

“In my opinion, the tours help students make the connection between the theories learned at school and practices adopted in the industry. I really like that this program really emphasizes on students’ learning experience. During the internship, I learned more about the responsibilities shouldered by the Monitoring Section. Moreover, all seniors that I am learning under really make sure that I get some background information before I start on the project. This program has exposed me to aspects in environmental engineering that I never knew before. At school, I learned more about the design aspect of this field; however, in this internship, I had the chance to learn about the regulatory aspects of the field."

Anisa Cokro---Undergraduate Student– Cal Poly Pomona: