Cy Richter at CivilCorp
Victoria College student Cy Richter turned his summer into a hands-on learning experience through an internship with CivilCorp, applying classroom lessons to real-world projects. The opportunity didn’t just sharpen his skills, it gave him clarity about his future in engineering.
Although Richter had long been drawn to civil engineering, he wanted to experience the field up close before committing.
“I knew engineering was something I was interested in, but I wasn’t sure what it was all about,” said Richter. “I wanted to know what my daily job responsibilities would include and the type of people I’d be working with.”
With guidance from VC Associate Professor Dr. Deborah Pedraza and support from Victoria College Career Services, Richter landed an internship at CivilCorp, an engineering company known for its strong reputation across South Texas.
He spent the first half of the summer in the field with a survey crew, learning to set up surveying equipment, locate property boundaries, set pins, and collect GPS data. The second half of his internship brought him to CivilCorp’s Victoria office, where he gained hands-on experience in project design, using spreadsheets and CAD software to map out driveways, ditches and roads.
“My favorite part was the people I worked with, but I also appreciated seeing what engineering responsibilities look like day-to-day,” said Richter.
Richter plans to transfer to Texas A&M University in College Station to continue his studies. He hopes to work in commercial construction or transportation engineering after graduation and encourages other students to explore internships.
“It’s a great way to meet new people and find out if a certain career is really right for you,” said Richter.
VC’s Career Services team helps students discover their passions, whether it starts with an internship like Richter’s or through other career opportunities. They guide students through career decisions, help provide skills to enter the workforce and connect local employers with talented VC students for recruitment.
For more information, visit VictoriaCollege.edu/CareerServices.