UW CEE Senior Shadin Khreis
Like many college students, senior Shadin Khreis spent her summer near the water. She, however, was busy working on the Elliott Bay Seawall Project during an internship with the Jacobs Engineering Group.
The project entails replacing an aging seawall that spans Seattle’s waterfront. The original seawall, from the 1930s, was quickly deteriorating and vulnerable to seismic hazards. Anticipated to be completed in 2017, the new seawall will protect infrastructure by meeting seismic standards and enhances the habitat for salmon migration.
As part of the construction management team, Khreis assisted the senior site inspector with conducting inspections, which entailed examining traffic control plans, curbs and gutters, roadway compaction, concrete pours and rebar installation. Khreis reported the results through daily inspector reports that she compiled.
“I shadowed the lead inspector on site and she was a great teacher,” Khreis said. “She taught me how to approach the contractors, what to look for when inspecting, and she was a great role model for what women should be like on a construction site. I would say working with her was my favorite part.”
Pre-cast zee panels installed by the fire station connect the street to the pier, which will support the light penetrating surface panels to be installed at a later date.
Khreis also assisted with reporting the progress of ongoing construction and detailing safety issues. She participated in safety walks with the Seattle Department of Transportation as well as environmental walks to ensure that the contractors complied with environmental regulations. The environmental walks entailed looking for oil leaks from machinery and any debris from the construction site that could end up in the water. Other duties included reporting the number of people working on different tasks, monitoring how long it took to complete tasks and noting any materials received. Khreis also attended daily meetings with the general contractor/construction manager to discuss tasks and progress.
“I learned to read construction plans and understand them better, as well as how to conduct inspections and what to look for when inspecting,” Khreis said. “I also learned how to communicate with different entities in a construction site, such as the contractor, subcontractors and owner.”
Becoming more familiar with construction in general was one of the most beneficial parts of the internship, said Khreis. Following graduation, Khreis plans to earn her master’s degree in structural engineering followed by a career in the field.
“Jacobs was a great company to work with,” Khreis said. “They appreciate your talents and try to connect you with what suits your interests.”