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Building connections, learning new skills, and gaining real-world experience are just a few highlights of Murray State University student LaShawn Robinson’s electrical internship journey. In this Q&A, he shares his path into engineering and what he’s learned at Salas O’Brien.

What inspired you to pursue a career in electrical engineering?

Growing up, none of my immediate family went to college, so I wanted to try something different and see what I could be successful in. I found out about engineering in high school and spent time learning about power plants, circuit breakers, and other electrical systems, and I really enjoyed it. I also had a teacher who made engineering easy to learn and understand, and my uncle, who studied engineering, was someone I could look to.

The more I learned, the more I realized engineering could offer stability and a strong future, and that matters a lot to me. By the time I got to Murray State, I knew it was the right fit, and I’ve just kept building on that foundation ever since.

How did you learn about Salas O’Brien, and what made you choose to work with us?

I first learned about Salas O’Brien at a Murray State career fair. Before the event, I had already done some research and knew it was one of the companies I wanted to talk to. And after meeting the team and learning more about the company, I felt like it would be a great fit.

At the time, I was also considering a few different positions with other companies, but what stood out to me about Salas O’Brien was the communication. Everyone was responsive, understanding, and took the time to answer any questions I had. That made a big impression on me.

Looking back, it worked out really well. I’ve had an amazing experience, and it’s definitely a company I could see myself returning to in the future.

What’s a project you’ve especially enjoyed working on, and what was your role?

A project I’ve really enjoyed working on has been an arc flash study for a PVC manufacturing company. It’s helped me become much more familiar with SKM and given me a better understanding of transformers, electrical equipment, and the safety requirements.

I’ve been able to work through the entire process, from analyzing the client’s equipment data to helping create the final safety labels. Getting to see a project from start to finish has been one of the most valuable parts of my internship, and I’ve also learned more about the project management and budgeting side of the work along the way.

What software and tools have you learned about?

The three tools I’ve used most during my internship are Bluebeam, Revit, and SKM. Bluebeam helps with reviewing and updating project documents, Revit is used for design work, and I’ve spent a lot of time using SKM for arc flash studies, analyzing electrical equipment data to help determine safety requirements and proper PPE.

What have you enjoyed about the Salas O’Brien internship Learning Series?

One of my favorite parts of the Learning Series has been meeting other interns across the company. Since I’m the only electrical engineering intern in my office, it’s been nice to connect with other interns, hear about their experiences, and collaborate during the sessions.

I’ve also enjoyed learning about different areas of engineering and getting a better understanding of everything Salas O’Brien has to offer. It’s been helpful to see how many different opportunities and career paths are available across the engineering world.

Looking back on your internship, what was your biggest learning experience?

My biggest learning experience has been learning to be intentional. I’ve always enjoyed building relationships, but this internship has taught me to be more intentional about that in a professional setting. I’ve made an effort to reach out to people, ask questions, and learn from the engineers around me.

I’ve also learned a lot by asking to shadow others. Putting myself out there a little more has helped me grow and has been one of the most valuable parts of my internship experience.

How would you describe the culture at Salas O’Brien?

I would describe the culture at Salas O’Brien as very welcoming and close-knit. The people here are really like family, and it feels like being part of a team that works hard but also enjoys being around each other. The relationships I’ve seen here are so strong, not just at work but outside of work too.

As a new intern, that made a huge difference for me. Everyone has been willing to help, answer questions, and make me feel like part of the team. It’s been a great environment to learn and grow in.