Internship Spotlight: Gavin at Kiewit

For two consecutive summers, NAU mechanical engineering student Gavin Georgiou has been building real-world expertise through competitive internships—first as an Equipment Engineer Intern, and now as a Mechanical Engineer Intern with Kiewit Power Engineering (KPE). After connecting with Kiewit at an NAU career fair, Gavin took initiative to explore a specialized path in power systems engineering, a move that has led to hands-on, high-impact work.

This summer, Gavin is working in KPE’s estimating department, contributing directly to early-stage power plant design. From calculating system requirements to creating Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and vendor estimates, the experience mirrors the complexity and responsibility of full-time engineering roles. “[I was] designated to design a compressed gas system for a power plant,” he explained. “That included doing sizing calculations, developing diagrams, identifying components, and presenting it all to upper management.”

These opportunities are not just technical—they’re professional. “I’ve learned to ask every question, carry a notebook, confirm details in writing, and speak up,” he said. “Communication is key in engineering.”

Beyond the technical learning, Kiewit’s internship program also includes community service and experiential learning. Interns led a company-wide stewardship project raising funds for the Power of Hope charity and even traveled to Florida to tour a combined cycle power plant.