SUU Civil Engineering Student Applies Classroom Skills to Public Lands Through U.S. Forest Service Internship
Published: October 03, 2026 | Read Time: 2 minutes
CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Southern Utah University junior Corinne Braley spent her summer putting classroom learning into real-world action as an engineering intern with the U.S. Forest Service.
A civil engineering student with an emphasis in environmental engineering, Braley spent four months tackling field and office projects across local public lands, including Pine Valley Campground, Duck Creek Campground, and key forest road networks. The internship offered practical, hands-on experience in land surveying, computer-aided design (CAD), project scheduling, and cross-departmental coordination.
At Pine Valley Campground, Braley gained practical experience surveying burn scars and areas where severe flooding had damaged roadways. Building on foundational skills learned in her SUU coursework, she independently surveyed sites for new bridge installations. At Duck Creek Campground, she led a complete sign design project, managing everything from spatial layouts and purchasing sheets to project schedules and inter-department collaboration.
"Being able to put classroom skills to use in the field helped all the pieces fit together," said Braley. "I now have a clearer understanding of how surveying and design work in the real world, which gives me immense confidence heading into my upcoming advanced engineering courses and future career opportunities."
In addition to campground infrastructure, Braley conducted assessments on dirt forest roads essential for recreational access, forest management, and emergency response vehicles. She evaluated road conditions, identifying priority areas damaged by recent fires and heavy rainfall that required specialized maintenance beyond routine care.
For Braley, an avid hiker, camper, and backpacker, the experience highlighted an unexpected alignment between her personal passions and professional ambitions. Working on public lands revealed a fulfilling career path in natural resource engineering.
"Working for public lands wasn't originally on my radar, but spending time outdoors showed me how perfectly my career can align with my personal passions," Braley added. "This experience opened my eyes to how meaningful engineering for the Forest Service can be."
During the Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative's (IIC) end-of-season celebration, Braley received the Impact by Design award for turning creativity and thoughtful design into meaningful experiences that connect people with public lands. The annual celebration honors the students, mentors, and partner agencies whose collaborative efforts shaped the program's 19th season.
Housed within SUU's Outdoor Pathways, the IIC places students in hands-on learning roles with land management agencies, outdoor recreation businesses, nonprofits, and Native American tribes across Utah, Arizona, and Nevada.
The program offers paid internships across diverse disciplines, including wildlife conservation, engineering, trail maintenance, visitor education, visual communications, and public land management. Through the IIC, students develop career-ready skills alongside seasoned professionals, directly benefiting regional communities and preserving public lands.
SUU's emphasis on mentorship and career-focused learning ensures students like Braley transition seamlessly from foundational coursework to impactful professional roles. By pairing classroom instruction with real-world application, SUU continues to prepare students to turn personal ambition into lasting regional impact.
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