Meet Anthony Fung, a lab intern at the Karen Colonias Research Lab in Pleasanton, who joined Simpson Strong-Tie this summer to explore the world of testing and research. Throughout his internship, Anthony gained valuable hands-on experience in the lab, deepening his understanding of structural engineering. Additionally, he had the opportunity to engage in activities hosted at our Pleasanton office, providing him with insights into our company culture and the people behind our endeavors.
After finishing my junior year as a civil engineering student at Cal Poly Pomona, I spent this summer interning at Simpson Strong-Tie. I had a great internship experience, which has helped solidify my career aspirations. I was always inspired by historical structures that have withstood the test of time. As a future structural engineer, I look forward to learning more about structural connections, mass timber construction, and how I can contribute to the development of sustainable buildings.
I first learned about Simpson Strong-Tie through a family friend, Hien Nguyen. She is an associate technical manager at Simpson Strong-Tie, and she connected me with the lab manager, Dave Huerta. Dave consistently pushes me to learn new things every day in the lab. He has not only influenced my lab experience but also is a very good person who demonstrated genuine concern for my well-being. He often reminds me to bike safely during my daily commute to work!
During my internship, I had the privilege of assisting the lab’s technicians in assembling test setups and working with a variety of connectors and fasteners. I participated in product testing, ensuring compliance with industry standards for our existing products and unreleased prototypes under various conditions. Working extensively with testing equipment in the lab provided me with valuable hands-on experience.
During my time at Simpson Strong-Tie, I learned how to use various tools that I have not previously encountered. Additionally, I gained a deeper understanding of the unique characteristics of different wood species, such as their grain pattern, specific gravity, and knot placement.
I also got to participate in numerous events hosted in the Pleasanton office during my internship. One event involved Girls Inc., a nonprofit which brought 28 school-aged girls for a field trip. Simpson Strong-Tie women leaders engaged with them, and they built DIY whiteboards and tested reinforced sawhorses. Before the event, I helped prepare whiteboard kits for the event.
I also assisted with the Simpson Strong-Tie Scholarship event, where over 40 student scholarship winners visited and together we built DIY benches that will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. Later that day I attended a leadership panel Q&A, at which the CEO shared career and life advice.
Lastly, I took part in the Quarterly Meeting with a Summer BBQ theme and a mini-tradeshow displaying new solutions from the company in areas like structural steel, mass timber, building technology, and asphalt reinforcement. My favorite part was getting to try one of the Quik Drive® auto-feed screw driving tools.
My internship at Simpson Strong-Tie has been an invaluable experience that has left me with a few key takeaways. I gained a more thorough understanding of the intricate process behind product development and further fed my passion for structural engineering. The company culture at Simpson Strong-Tie left a strong impression on me, resonating with founder Barclay Simpson’s philosophy: “When people join our company, they don’t come for a bus stop. This is a career.” Following graduation, I am determined to pursue a career with Simpson Strong-Tie. This internship wasn’t just a bus stop.
To future interns, I recommend embracing every opportunity to learn and grow. Be proactive in seeking out new challenges and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Additionally, make an effort to connect with your colleagues and build a professional network. Most importantly, embrace the experience with enthusiasm and a willingness to absorb as much knowledge as possible.
