#sgh

Thank you for an incredible externship experience. I am deeply grateful for the mentorship and encouragement I received, and for the opportunity to see how theory and practice unite to solve complex engineering challenges.

Navigating an externship is always better with a partner, and I couldn't have asked for a better one. My buddy was the definition of kindness and support, acting as a constant sounding board as we tackled new challenges at SGH. Whether we were decompressing after a deep-dive lecture or exploring the intricacies of New York’s architecture together, having someone so grounded and encouraging by my side made the steep learning curve feel like an exciting climb.

My experience at SGH was shaped significantly by a mentor who understood that growth happens both at the desk and out in the world. From day one, he meticulously planned our schedule to ensure we weren't just observing, but truly experiencing the firm’s inner workings and high-level functions.

He championed a holistic approach to professional life—whether it was ensuring we sat in on specialized learning lectures and technical programs or encouraging us to blow off steam and build connections over a game of foosball. He pushed us to view New York City as a living laboratory, urging us to tour the streets, immerse ourselves in the culture, and draw direct inspiration from the iconic builds surrounding us. Perhaps most impressively, he opened doors to the academic side of the industry, exposing us to key publications and personally encouraging us to reach out and engage in dialogue with the authors. I’m walking away with more than just technical notes; I’m leaving with a blueprint for how to stay curious and connected in this field.

Working behind the scenes at SGH, I was constantly inspired by the caliber of projects that come through our doors. Most clients arrive seeking a definitive solution to complex challenges, and watching the Building Technology department rise to those demands was a masterclass in engineering ingenuity.

Beyond the blueprints and technical calculations, my time at SGH New York was a masterclass in intercultural competence. In a city as diverse as NYC, the office acted as a microcosm of the global engineering community, bringing together brilliant minds from countless different backgrounds.

The culture is defined by a team that is as passionate and enthusiastic about engineering as they are about supporting one another.

A standout moment was our walking tour of the city, where our supervisor took us to see The Shed. Beyond the impressive architecture, he used the visit to ingrain a vital professional mantra: "Trust, but verify." This philosophy perfectly encapsulates the SGH approach—combining confidence in our colleagues with the technical rigor required to ensure excellence.

As a first-time extern in a professional firm, I truly enjoyed the experience and learned a lot. I had the opportunity to see how the firm operates, how people collaborate, support one another, learn together, socialize, work on projects, and conduct testing. I am very grateful to Corey and Sean for taking the time to mentor us, and to the entire SGH staff for warmly welcoming us and exposing us to different projects and areas of work.

This experience showed me that, as architects, there are many paths we can take even within an engineering firm. I learned a lot about Building Envelope Technology, which became an area of strong interest for me, especially energy calculations, thermal calculations, and window performance analysis. I also gained valuable insight into the business side of the profession, including how to work with clients and the precautions designers must take.

“Trust and verify” is the quote that stood out to me the most, and it is a principle I plan to apply throughout my life. Overall, SGH is definitely a place where I would like to work in the future.

Gratefully,

Berlens,

I was fortunate to spend this time at SGH alongside a peer who was equally eager to learn, explore new subjects, and grow. This experience motivated me to become more involved in school clubs and activities this year, to network, collaborate, and socialize more because there is always something valuable to learn from others, and those connections can lead to meaningful opportunities.