Internship Spotlight: Benjamin Bowles, Cbec Eco Engineering

My internship at Cbec Eco Engineering was an incredibly rewarding experience where I gained both professional skills and practical knowledge. Cbec specializes in ecological restoration, and my primary role during the internship was as an accounting assistant. I learned to navigate Deltek, a leading software in the accounting industry, and I was responsible for analyzing project expense reports to identify and correct any discrepancies. It was exciting to apply what I learned in ACCT 200 to real-world scenarios.

One of the highlights of my internship was being invited to join a field trip to Yosemite National Park. This experience was eye-opening, as we worked on a critical issue affecting the giant Sequoia trees. Due to a stream running through the middle of some of these trees, snowmelt causes the channel to overflow, undercutting the banks and leading to the trees’ collapse. Alongside a colleague, I was tasked with surveying this channel to create a hydraulic model, which would help the specialized engineers develop a solution to this problem. This hands-on experience was invaluable.

In addition to my accounting responsibilities, I also contributed to the marketing department, leveraging my photography and videography skills. I was sent on various projects to capture videos, which I then edited to showcase the important work Cbec is doing. If you're interested, I’d be happy to share these videos.

One of the things I appreciated most about this internship was the opportunity to engage in such diverse tasks and learn from each one. My advice to future interns is to be proactive—don't just complete the tasks you're assigned, but look for ways to contribute more. Don't be afraid to pitch your ideas and seek feedback. For instance, I took the initiative to participate in field projects and create professional videos that highlight Cbec’s impactful work.