MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ – Over the summer, five Middlesex College engineering students participated in DCO Energy’s internship program, a component of DCO’s Competitive Edge community program, providing direct exposure to active construction projects on the College’s Edison campus.
“This program demonstrates how industry and education can work together to develop the next generation of engineering professionals while contributing to the successful execution of real projects,” said DCO Energy Project Manager Brendan Crowe. “The interns gained hands-on experience that cannot be replicated in a classroom—working alongside engineers, construction superintendents, project managers, contractors, and field personnel while developing skills in construction management, engineering documentation, estimating, procurement, project controls, safety, and field operations.”
The students’ work supported the Sustainable Microgrid Project, located east of the Physical Education building, and car port solar installation, located in Parking Lot #1. These projects will provide power to newly constructed buildings as well as the broader campus.
“As a construction engineering technology student, I wanted to see how the concepts I learn in school are applied to actual projects,” said Xochitl Solano Romero ’26, of New Brunswick. “I was also excited about the opportunity to learn from professionals and explore the different roles involved in a construction project.”
Interns participated in daily project rounds and observed a broad range of construction activities, including concrete pours, excavation and backfilling, asphalt placement, crane lifts, equipment installation, precast manhole installation, electrical and underground utility work, thermal piping construction, and car port solar construction.
“This collaboration with DCO Energy exemplifies the College’s core values of supporting students in their unique academic journey, while setting them up for a successful future,” said Middlesex College President Mark McCormick. “The internship provides students with the invaluable experience of working with professionals in their field to positively impact the College campus with real-world results.”
The interns also worked on invoice reviews, construction takeoffs, daily field reports, as-built documentation, construction progress tracking, drawing markups, and subcontractor submittal reviews.
“The DCO internship exemplifies the kind of innovative, high-impact learning experiences that Middlesex College strives to provide,” said Dionne Miller, vice president of Academic Affairs, who attended a presentation given by the interns about their experience. “By participating in the construction of a sustainable microgrid on their own campus, our students gained firsthand exposure to the engineering profession while developing the communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that employers value most.”
MIDDLESEX COLLEGE, NJ
Middlesex College, established in 1964, is a public, two-year institution of higher education located in the heart of New Jersey. With a main campus in Edison and centers in New Brunswick and Perth Amboy, Middlesex College offers over 90 degree and certificate programs encouraging its more than 10,000 students to explore, grow, and thrive. Middlesex College, through dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art educational facilities, and holistic student supports, is committed to providing a high-quality, affordable college education that provides every student an opportunity for growth and achievement. Middlesex College is Middlesex County’s premier destination for lifelong learning and workforce training. Learn more at middlesexcollege.edu.