Hailey Fielder

Did you always know you wanted to do co-op/internship?

I have wanted to participate in the co-op/internship program since first year. I knew that doing an internship would give me the opportunity to apply the knowledge learned in university to a work environment . Additionally, doing an internship would allow me to connect with industry professionals and learn more about my field of study and its possible career paths.

Did you have any concerns or hesitations before you started?

My biggest concern was being successful in the interview process; I did not have a lot of previous interviewing experience prior to my internship. I viewed this as a challenge for myself that I wanted to succeed in, knowing that whatever the outcome of my interview, I would be able to use the experience when applying for other internships/jobs in the future. I consulted the Student Learning Centre while preparing for my interview and attended one-on-one interview technique and mock interview sessions, which I highly recommend.

What were your expectations?

In addition to applying my engineering background to my internship role, I expected to learn how to manage myself in a work environment while sharpening my teamwork and communication skills.

How did your experience compare with your expectations?

My experience has been incredibly rewarding thus far. I have learned a lot about engineering and management, which I will be able to apply to my schooling upon my return to UOIT as well as to my future career. I have also connected and built working relationships with my supervisors and many industry professionals.

How would you say you enjoyed your experience?

My experience at Hydro One has far exceeded my expectations. While working as a Project Management Intern, I have been able to connect with other Hydro One departments, such as Engineering, Protection and Controls, Estimating, Scheduling, etc. These connections have proved valuable as I have been able to learn about many roles at Hydro One, expanding my experience and understanding of the company and of electrical engineering.

In a few sentences, explain your position. Please provide details about your daily tasks, projects, and responsibilities.

I work as a Project Management Intern in the Project Delivery department at Hydro One. My role includes understanding the scope of a project and the processes necessary to successfully execute the project. Project Management has taught me the importance of communication; project management requires connecting departments to work on different legs of a project, to move a project forward. No day is exactly the same, as the tasks that are necessary for a project change as a project progresses. Through the six months that I have been a Project Manager, I have completed site visits around the GTA to inspect sites, met with consultants and engineers to devise plans to execute a project, all the while answering a lot of emails!

What was your work atmosphere like? (flexibility, formality, team-centric, supportive)

The work atmosphere at Hydro One is very positive, which has made the transition of being a student to an intern very constructive. My team has been very supportive of me, answering my (many) questions, guiding me through processes, and sharpening my understanding of technical applications.

Did you feel that any training and/or support available to you was helpful or beneficial to you?

All of the training that I received at Hydro One has been beneficial to me. I have been able to apply my technical understanding of concepts to projects, changing the way that I think about electrical engineering.

What advice would you offer to students thinking about pursuing co-op or internship?

I would absolutely recommend a co-op or internship! I have been able to apply what I have learned in school to a career, which has changed the way I think as an electrical engineer.