Nate is finishing up his Junior year at Utah State, so he has started looking into getting an internship. One night he went to a dinner to meet employees from local engineering firms. When he came home it was so nice to see him all professional looking.
I had to smile when I saw his pocket full of pens. His excuse was that they were free from the dinner. My opinion is that he is starting to really play the part of an engineer.
It wasn't five minutes later and he was back to his usual attire, sitting at the table with his homework all spread out. If you ask what Nate has been doing over the last few months this picture basically sums it all up.
He also has been involved with the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) Steel Bridge Competition. They had to design and build a 21 ft. long steel bridge that could hold 2,400 lbs. The bridge had to be disassembled to fit into a box. The competition included the amount of time it took to build, not stepping in the marshland, not dropping any piece of it, and not bending very much under the weight.
There are 8 people that get to build it. The first time they ever built it, it took them 5 hours, 2nd time 3 hours, at the competition . . . 15 minutes.
There are 8 people that get to build it. The first time they ever built it, it took them 5 hours, 2nd time 3 hours, at the competition . . . 15 minutes. 
Needless to say they did absolutely awesome. There were also other Utah State teams competing at this competition doing other things like concrete canoe, etc. The best part about it all is that UTAH STATE took 1st place overall, resulting in a massive trophy to display at the engineering building. This is something that hasn't happened in 14 years. Looks like they are headed to Nationals in Texas, this May. Man! I am so proud of them. 
On top of all this, Nate also has some very exciting things happening this summer. He is headed to Peru with his Engineers Without Borders team to check out and repair a water distribution system for a village. Nate was also referred by one of his professors to a man who wants Nate to design a water distribution and waste-water treatment system for a school in Tanzania, Africa. The possibility of Nate actually going to Africa this summer is very high. So, internship or not he is getting some amazing experiences in.
