intern feature
We were so grateful to have Brian Tseng-Nicodemus join the PCS Group team as our summer intern. We’ve appreciated his positive attitude, eagerness to learn, and passion he puts into his work. Please join us in thanking Brian for his hard work and wishing him the very best as he returns to campus.
What skills did you learn this summer that you will be taking with you?
From this internship, I’ve learned to work more efficiently in 3D modeling, drafting, and rendering that I can take back to my studio projects at school, and for my future professional projects. Having now worked at a firm, I’ve also got to know what it’s like to be working in a landscape architecture/planning firm, and how design projects work in the real world. I got to experience the culture of the firm and understand that different firms have various characters and areas of focus, and that it is important to understand what type of focus and culture fits well with me so that I have a clearer direction for my future career development. Also, social skills are very helpful and that I hope to develop them furthermore when I go back to school.
What was your favorite project? Why?
I don’t have a clear favorite of a single project because I got to work on so many projects, and I was able to learn from each of the tasks. I also got to work under a variety of landscape architects, planners, and urban designers that I got to learn a wide spectrum of knowledge and ideas from each of their expertise.
I enjoyed working on projects where I got to contribute some of my design ideas; I also liked learning about the practical side of price estimates; repetition of master planning, 3D modeling, and rendering help solidify my ability in these areas. I can not only be more work-efficient in my future school and professional projects, but I can also contribute the skills I learned and help my fellow classmates at CU.
What was the highlight of your internship?
One of the highlights is taking some break moments and enjoy a Call-of-Duty battle with my coworkers on a daily basis. I suck at it, but that doesn’t take the joy away from being able to have some relaxing periods and fun with my colleagues. It helps to gain more momentum at work by taking these short breaks.
I also liked the overall atmosphere of our firm. People are positive and supportive of each other, and I was very fortunate to have experienced working in a great firm.
What advice would you give to a future intern?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! They are more than willing to help you out, and they care about you succeeding at school and future career development. People here have various expertise, and by talking to them and asking questions, you’ll be able to get a more thorough and enriching experience when you complete your internship. For software use, the firm mostly use AutoCAD, SketchUp, Lumion, Photoshop, and InDesign. Based on your strengths, they will assign you to tasks that you can more likely take on, so don’t be stressed out if you don’t have the full package of design software or landscape architecture knowledge, even if you have only one or two of them! They try to make your internship experience as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.