Hands-on learning builds undergrad’s critical-thinking, problem-solving skills

Q&A with new graduate Jaron Frank

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (05/15/2025) — Internships and a senior capstone project have played a valuable role in Jaron Frank’s time at the University of Minnesota. They have allowed the environmental engineering major to apply his knowledge in a more comprehensive way, further preparing him think on his feet and work with others to solve problems.

“I like learning about new pollutants and being able to dive deep into what the problems are and how we can fix them,” said Frank, who grew up close to Milwaukee and Lake Michigan. “Through real-world problem-solving in an academic and internship setting, I’ve really learned so much about the environment and how to really approach different problems—not just in fieldwork but in my life.”

His advice for students looking to boost their skills or add to their résumés: Jump on those opportunities available in college—get your hands dirty.

“There are so many ways to apply the skills you learn in classes,” said Frank, a recipient of the James Grant Waits Scholarship in CEGE. “For instance, research—there are so many different professors you can do research with and topics you can do research about. Internships are another way. There are so many companies looking for interns or who can give you skills in a work environment.”

In the Q&A that follows this video, Frank offers more insights into his time at the College of Science and Engineering on the Twin Cities campus. 

What student groups, or other extracurricular, were you part of? 

I was a board member for the Minnesota Environmental Engineers, Scientists, and Enthusiasts group, or MEESE for short. We’re a group geared toward environmental engineers and our goal is to help connect students to each other and to employers, and to learn more about the environmental engineering field. Other than that, I was a small group leader and a teaching assistant for my department’s introductory CEGE 1101 class—"Introduction to Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering”—for four semesters! 

How did you choose the University of Minnesota? 

I toured it twice, and I really enjoyed the energy of the city and the campus community.

Tell us about your capstone project?

As an environmental engineering senior, I was able to take a capstone class that is a culmination of everything I’ve learned throughout my time in college. It’s where you get this real-world group project that you work on the whole semester with a mentor from an engineering company. My team of five helped to evaluate a landfill with leachate contaminated with PFAS. We worked with our mentor and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on possible treatments for it. 

What type of internships have you had?

I’ve had a few internships during my time at the University of Minnesota, and they’ve all been pretty unique and great experiences. For example, I was an assessment and remediation intern at Barr Engineering, a water resources intern at WSB, and a drinking water system intern at the U.S. Forest Service.

Why did you choose environmental engineering? 

I’ve always loved being outdoors and learning how water moves, and how we can shape the way it impacts our environment. Environmental engineering major is this nice combination of science and math, and so much of the work we do is outdoors. I’ve taken a lot of water-related classes here—classes related to streams and open channels and rivers. I think it’s really cool to be on the forefront of all these emerging contaminants and learning about how we can clean up our environment.

How have you grown, since being at the University of Minnesota? 

Since finishing my program in December, I have continued to grow both professionally and personally. I’ve applied many of the technical skills I learned in class to real-world projects in my career now as a staff engineer for an environmental consulting firm. I’ve built on my communication and problem-solving skills and taken more responsibility in my career direction and managing life beyond school.

Interview by Pauline Oo

If you’d like to support students and hands-on learning at the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering, visit our CSE giving page.