It’s very helpful for college students to do internships because they help them understand the daily tasks and challenges of working as a professional in their field.
Students learn by doing and even get a feel for the work culture and environment at a possible company.
“I wanted to get a better sense of what civil engineering was like in the design role,” said Julia Phipps, who worked as an intern twice in Halff’s Austin office before being hired in the Public Works practice. “I had already worked for a contractor when I came to Halff, so I had seen that side. I wanted to experience what day-to-day design looks like. Another reason was that I hate wasting time, so I wanted to make sure I was taking the classes that would help me the most in my career after I graduated. ”.
During training sessions every summer, interns learn about Halff’s history, culture, purpose, areas of civil engineering that the company focuses on, projects they might work on, industry trends, and a lot more.
“What was also really cool was that they put me through my paces and trusted me to do certain things.” I got exposure to different projects and several stages of each project,” Julia added. “We’re doing projects where I grew up, which is really special to me. That’s why I wanted to be a civil engineer in the first place. ”.
Halff professionals typically mentor 20 to 25 interns per summer in all practices. Team leaders can look at soon-to-be graduates and see how they might fit in with their peers, but it can also work the other way around. Many interns are itching to gain a glimpse of life in the office.
“To be honest, I thought it would be a dull office job,” said Garrett Davidson, a graduate civil engineer who works for Halff in the Public Works practice. “But it’s cool, interesting projects. ”.
Transportation Team Leader Melanie Cleavelin said, “I wanted to learn what you actually do as a professional.” Cleavelin did Halff’s internship program for three summers. “In school, you learn the calculation side of things, not the application or the real-world experience. … I came into it open-minded. I think the big thing was just helping me figure out what I wanted to do. ”.
It was after his internship that civil engineer Jeff Roberts was hired at Halff in 2003. He said, “I learned that some things they stress in class really aren’t applicable, and then there are other things that aren’t really stressed that are applicable.” ”.
Jeff said that one of the most important things he learned was more about MicroStation, which is CAD software used by professionals in the field.
Audrey Giesler, a graduate civil engineer who was hired by Halff in June to work in their Water Resources practice in Conroe, wanted to be challenged, and she got it.
She said, “It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Everything about water resources engineering was new to me, which was a good thing.” “I was very happy about that. It was important to me to be in a realm where there would be challenges. A lot of people who don’t go into water think that the projects are always the same. But they are extremely different. ”.
Another important thing that many students liked about their internships at Halff was that it made them want to work there full-time.
“Definitely the people,” Julia said. “I feel like they care about me, my work, and how I can do better.” They put in the time to work with me. You don’t see that everywhere.
“The personal development for me as an engineer, and also a person, has been pretty significant.”
“The team here, I was pretty surprised how close-knit they were,” she said. “There is a lot of support. You’re never asking the stupid question. That relationship, along with the challenges of the work, make for a very good growing environment. ”.
If you want to learn more about Halff’s internship program, click here and scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.
Want to be fully prepared for your upcoming Halff Associates interview? This comprehensive guide will explore the Halff interview process, typical questions asked, and tips to craft winning responses.
With smart preparation you’ll be able to walk into your Halff Associates interview with confidence and clearly communicate how your background makes you a strong fit for their mission of designing vibrant sustainable communities. Let’s dive in!
Overview of the Halff Associates Interview Process
Here’s an overview of what to expect during the Halff Associates hiring process:
-
Phone Screen 30-minute call with HR reviewing your resume and experience
-
Technical Interview: 1-hour discussion focused on your technical skills and problem-solving.
-
Manager Interview: 1-hour behavioral interview with potential direct manager.
-
VP Interview: Final discussion with department VP about culture fit.
-
Reference & Background Check: Halff contacts references and completes verification checks.
-
Offer: Offer extended for successful candidates. The process typically takes 2-3 weeks.
Now let’s look at some of the most common Halff Associates interview questions and tips to ace your answers.
12 Top Halff Associates Interview Questions and Answers
1. Tell me about yourself.
As is often the case, Halff Associates interviews frequently kick off with the open-ended “tell me about yourself” prompt. This is your opportunity to introduce your background, skills, and strengths. Be sure to touch on:
- Your relevant work experience and qualifications
- Key projects or accomplishments that make you stand out
- The specific skills or expertise you would bring to this role
- Why you are interested in Halff Associates and the position
Keep it concise and focused on selling yourself for this role.
Example: “As a civil engineer with over 7 years of experience on infrastructure and land development projects, I have strong technical skills in drainage and utility system design. In my previous roles, I led multi-disciplinary teams through major highway expansion initiatives, applying my project management strengths to drive on-time delivery. I’m especially interested in Halff Associates because of your leadership in sustainable, community-focused development. With my background in optimizing system efficiencies and passion for enhancing livability through smart design, I’m excited by the opportunity to contribute to impactful projects.”
2. Why do you want to work at Halff Associates?
This allows you to demonstrate your passion for their mission and values. Be sure to discuss:
- What excites you specifically about their community-focused approach
- How their culture and work environment appeals to you
- Values they prioritize that you connect with
- Ways your background suits the role and company goals
Show you’ve researched Halff and are aligned with their purpose-driven philosophy.
Example: “What excites me most about Halff is your commitment to creating vibrant, sustainable communities through thoughtful planning and design. I’m drawn to how you balance business priorities with enhancing livability, from mobility to green space. Speaking with employees, it’s clear Halff truly cares about nurturing talent in an open, collaborative environment as well – which strongly aligns with my values. With my technical expertise and passion for smart development that improves quality of life, I know I’d thrive at Halff while making meaningful community impact.”
3. How does your experience align with this role’s responsibilities?
This is your chance to directly match your background and competencies to the role you’re interviewing for. Closely review the job description and be prepared to discuss:
- Specific hard and soft skills you possess that fit the role
- Relevant projects or responsibilities you’ve undertaken
- Key achievements or successes that make you qualified
- Any specialized expertise, training, or certifications
Demonstrate a strong fit between your capabilities and the position’s day-to-day responsibilities.
Example: “With over 5 years of experience managing drainage and utility projects, I’ve honed skills in hydrologic analysis, system design, planning approvals, and leading cross-functional teams – all core responsibilities for this position. For example, leading the Midtown Tunnel expansion project, I conducted extensive hydrology studies for permitting while guiding engineers through detailed drainage system design. We came in $500k under budget due in large part to my coordination and oversight. Additionally, I hold a LEED certification and have implemented green infrastructure across several developments. These experiences have directly prepared me for this opportunity where I can leverage my specialized expertise.”
4. How would you handle an upset client or stakeholder?
Halff Associates needs professionals who can maintain composure and resolve issues collaboratively. When answering, explain how you would:
- Listen actively to understand their perspective and reasons for being upset
- Express empathy and apologize for any issues caused
- Own accountability where warranted and offer solutions
- Find common ground through open communication
- Follow up to ensure the issue is fully resolved to their satisfaction
Demonstrate emotional intelligence and commitment to client service excellence.
Example: “When a key stakeholder emailed me upset about a delayed project milestone, I responded promptly to arrange a call and discuss. I let her vent her frustrations first, then calmly apologized while explaining the permitting delay causing it. I took accountability for the lack of proactive communication on my end. We found common ground around completing the project to meet community needs. I then outlined an updated timeline addressing her concerns, and followed up regularly to rebuild trust. This experience taught me the importance of transparency and setting proper expectations, even when delays arise. Maintaining trust ultimately strengthens partnerships.”
5. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a client.
Halff Associates wants employees who take initiative and accountability in serving clients. Discuss a situation where you:
- Noticed an additional need or opportunity to exceed expectations
- Proactively took on extra work or responsibilities
- Persisted through challenges to deliver for the client
- Earned praise, thanks, or positive feedback as a result
Share a memorable story that conveys your dedication and work ethic.
**Example: “On one land development project with tight budget constraints, I noticed the proposed parking layout would create major traffic flow problems. I took the initiative to create alternative optimized designs on my own time to propose. My manager appreciated me flagging the issue early and taking ownership. While it required extra work revising plans, the client was thrilled with the improved parking efficiency and walkability it enabled. They specifically thanked me for going above-and-beyond expectations, and praised our team’s attentiveness. Delivering an exceptional final product was such a rewarding experience, and strengthened the client relationship long-term.”
6. How do you stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices?
Halff Associates needs staff passionate about continuous learning. Discuss how you stay current, such as:
- Reading industry publications and blogs
- Attending conferences, events, and tradeshows
- Taking relevant courses, training programs, or certifications
- Participating in professional organizations and groups
- Connecting with peers to exchange knowledge
Demonstrate proactive learning critical in the engineering/construction fields.
Example: “Staying updated with the latest industry advances is crucial for any design professional. I make it a priority through several methods. This includes following key publications like Architectural Record, ENR, and Landscape Architecture Magazine to get diverse perspectives. I also attend relevant conferences like the Urban Land Institute and ASLA events annually. Locally, I participate in the Urban Design Forum which connects me with other professionals to share insights. Whenever possible, I pursue additional certifications as well, like my recent Construction Management certificate from UW. Being proactive allows me to apply cutting-edge practices to improve project outcomes.”
7. How would you handle a tight project deadline or scheduling issue?
This evaluates your time management, multitasking, and grace under pressure. Discuss how you would:
- Re-prioritize or rebalance workloads efficiently to deliver on time
- Scale up work effort or request additional help and resources if needed
- Keep team morale high through open communication and encouragement
- Make adherence to quality standards a priority, not just speed
- Inform stakeholders proactively of progress and any risks
Show you can mobilize a team, maintain positivity, and deliver exceptional results efficiently.
Example: “When facing tight project timelines, I leverage my organizational abilities to assess required tasks and rebalance workloads so we can deliver quality results on schedule. This may involve shifting resources or having team members support each other with reviews or testing. I also scale up effort where possible, whether working overtime myself or requesting added bandwidth. Keeping the team informed and motivated is also key – I provide regular progress updates and highlight milestones achieved. While tight timelines are always demanding, I enjoy rallying a team and tapping our full capabilities to overcome the challenge successfully.”
8. Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work. How did you handle it?
We all make mistakes, so Halff Associates wants to see you can own up to errors with maturity. In your example, share:
- The context and details of the mistake you made
- How you took accountability and addressed the situation proactively
- Steps you took to rectify
LAST-MINUTE INTERVIEW PREP! (How To Prepare For An Interview In Under 10 Minutes!)
FAQ
Does Halff Associates drug test?
What is a smart question to ask the interviewer?
