GHD and Nonprofit Buffalo Engineering Awareness for Minorities (BEAM) team up to offer internships for high school students

Buffalo, New York, Aug. 14: For the fifth consecutive year, the Buffalo office of GHD, a global professional services firm, partnered with the Buffalo-area Engineering Awareness for Minorities (BEAM) to offer a six-week summer internship program to 11 students from Hutchinson Central Technical High School, City Honors High School and Frederick Law Olmstead School. The program was designed to introduce students to a range of technical projects within the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines, as well as professional development. 

“GHD is proud to have worked alongside BEAM for the past five years to help shape the next generation of engineers,” said Rachel McCaffery, GHD Northeast Regional General Manager. “Providing young people interested in STEM disciplines with the tools, resources and skills to support their future educational and career goals is an investment in their success as well as an investment in the future of our industry and communities.”

With guidance and instruction from GHD’s engineering team, the students learned about architecture, as well as mechanical, chemical, civil, environmental and electrical engineering. The program concluded with presentations developed by each intern to share their experiences with hands-on projects. The students also gained professional skills including emotional intelligence, effective communication and developing personal career journeys. 

"My favorite part of the BEAM program was the group projects, as they were incredibly fun, especially in a team," said Fahim Rahman, a recent graduate of City Honors School and incoming freshman at the University at Buffalo.

"What I found most interesting was learning about new engineering fields," said Cheryl Harden, a senior at Hutchinson Central Technical High School.

The GHD Foundation, an independent set of charities with a focus on providing equitable access to STEM education and careers, provided a grant for laptops and other supplies for each student to use and keep. 
 
“BEAM: Buffalo-area Engineering for Awareness for Minorities is grateful to GHD and their foundation for partnering with us in providing a first-class program for our students over the past five years. The BEAM students have gained knowledge, hands-on experiences and, most importantly, have made real connections with the GHD engineers,” said Katherine Heinle, BEAM Executive Director. “The GHD engineers provide not only their professional knowledge, but also valuable life skills as the students navigate the next step in their engineering careers.  BEAM looks forward to continuing this exceptional partnership with GHD for years to come." 

About GHD

GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 160 offices located on five continents.