Florida Tech Panther Scholar-Athlete Spotlight Recognizes Softball Player Miranda Schwartz

Cajuste studies computer science

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – In this Scholar-Athlete Spotlight, we feature Florida Tech softball’s Miranda Schwartz. This summer, the Lutz, Florida native is gaining meaningful experience by interning in his desired field. We caught up with Schwartz to learn more about this incredible opportunity.

At which company are you interning this summer? What is your function and role at the company?
This summer I am interning with RS&H Inc. in Tampa, FL. My title with the organization is Water Resources Intern and my role is to assist in creating drainage development plans, reviewing calculations and storm tables, and assisting the water resources team with projects and any additional projects.

What attracted you to this internship? What steps did you have to take to earn your position within the company?

I am still trying to decide what field of civil engineering I want to pursue. I was attracted to this internship because it gives me the opportunity to explore the water resources side of civil engineering, see what I think about it, and see if I want to continue with it. I found this internship through a connection with the team.

Jolie’s (Miracle) father knew someone who worked at the company and passed my resume along. Then I had to apply on the website and then I got an interview with the hiring manager via Microsoft Teams. A week later I got the offer.

What interesting tasks or projects have you been involved in?

One of the projects I work on is one of the freeways in West Palm, I was able to put in a drainage structure and help lay out the entire drainage system for this new proposed freeway.

What is your major at Florida Tech? Why did you choose this direction for your education, and is this something you always wanted to pursue?

I am a civil engineering major at Florida Tech. I came across civil engineering in high school. I was accepted into an engineering school and initially enrolled just to get the ropes. However, I discovered a passion while working on bridge simulators and the structures themselves.

It wasn’t always my ambition to do this, but when I came across the field, I knew that this was what I wanted to major in.

How has being a student athlete prepared you for the work you are currently doing in your internship? What skills did you take away from your time as a student athlete that will help you in your internship?

As a student athlete, I was able to prepare myself better for my internship. I work in a team, and as a student athlete, being part of a team directly benefits you in the workplace.

Communication skills are also one of the most crucial parts of my internship, and as a student athlete, my communication skills have grown in both comfortable and uncomfortable situations. It helps in comfortable situations like with my teammates and coworkers, but also in more uncomfortable situations like with coaches or, in the workplace, my boss.

What skills did you gain during your internship that will benefit you in the job at Florida Tech?

I think one of the most important things is to speak up and ask questions. If I don’t constantly speak up and ask questions during my internship, I’ll fall behind. I think this will translate and make it easier to communicate with coaches and teammates on and off the field.

Another is embracing the uncomfortable. This internship was big, new, and intimidating; just embracing the uncomfortable helped me grow, and I think that can be applied to the field as well.

How does your internship prepare you for the career you want to pursue after graduation?

It helps me to get an idea of ​​what I like and don’t like in civil engineering. I have only just started my studies as I am only in my third year. I haven’t decided what I am going to focus on yet, but this internship helps me to figure out and determine what I really want to do.

Additionally, I learn valuable skills and software that I can use in future jobs after graduation.

What advice would you give to another (future) student-athlete who wants to follow a similar path?

First, I would say try to find internships early and get a feel for what you like and don’t like beforehand. Second, trust the process; there is a lot of training and a lot of times when it will be hard; just trust the process. Lastly, be self-absorbed; you know your time and your value.

Don’t let yourself be pushed aside because you are new and don’t know much yet; ask questions, watch others or see if you can help in any way. It will be better for you, and show initiative to your colleagues and boss.

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