SDG&E Internships: Shaping Future Professionals

07/25/2024

In celebration of National Intern Day, we're highlighting our internship program. This year, we welcomed 21 interns across various departments, including Engineering, IT, MARP (Accounting and Finance), and Environmental Services.

Our internship program offers students a unique opportunity to collaborate with industry experts, gaining hands-on experience in their respective fields. We provide the necessary resources and support to help these bright students develop into confident, well-rounded professionals.

Our IT interns work with cutting-edge technologies, maintaining and analyzing company software. They also play a crucial role in monitoring incidents and cybersecurity threats. Our engineering interns, within the civil, electrical, and mechanical disciplines, gain hands-on experience assisting in the design, analysis, and maintenance of our infrastructure and dynamic construction projects. Interns in the Management Accounting Rotation Program (MARP) apply their theoretical knowledge to actual accounting practices, gaining a deeper understanding of the profession and its intricacies. Interns learn and process complex accounting processes such as reconciling purchase orders, budgeting, journal entries, creating variance analysis reports, and more.

Beyond their daily tasks, our interns engage in meaningful work by collaborating with local non-profits. These partnerships support critical projects aligned with the non-profits' missions, expanding their reach and building capacity for success. Many of our interns return the following summer or are hired as full-time employees after graduation, demonstrating the rewarding impact that our internship program has on shaping the future of our company.

Hear from our interns below!

Emma Schuster

Indiana University

Degree: Master of Public Affairs and Master of Science in Environmental Science, Concentrating in Energy

Program: Environmental Science

How do you see your internship with SDG&E helping you throughout your career?

"My internship at SDG&E has furthered my understanding of the energy field and the issues facing key players in the energy transition. This experience will be helpful as I pursue a career at the intersection of environmental and energy policy."

Bradley Nathanson

University Of California, San Diego

Degree: Bachelor of Science - Major: Data Science

Program: IT

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your internship so far?

"The most rewarding aspect of my internship so far has been meeting all the welcoming people here at SDG&E. While it was intimidating to join such a large organization, I quickly became accustomed and friends with many people here, and it feels more like a community of like-minded people."

Jonathan De Sciscio

San Diego State University

Degree: Bachelor of Science - Major: Finance

Program: Business Administration

How do you see your internship with SDG&E helping you throughout your career?

"This experience is affording me the chance to enhance my relationship-building skills and gain practical work experience within a team setting, which I am confident will be invaluable throughout my career."

Michelle Kenyon

San Diego State University

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting

Program: Business Administration

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your internship so far?

"Working with my team as well as making connections with other interns and employees. Proactively expressing my desire to learn through asking for feedback and career advice has resulted in a rewarding outcome for me so far."

Joshua Senoro

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Degree: Bachelor of Science - Major: Electrical Engineering

Program: Engineering

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your internship so far?

"The most rewarding aspect of my internship has been the opportunity to contribute to real-world applications rather than just engaging in busy work. It's been fulfilling to see how my efforts directly impact projects and contribute to the team's objectives."

Jared Gray

California State University, San Marcos

Degree: Bachelor of Science - Major: Accounting

Program: Business Administration

How do you see your internship with SDG&E helping you throughout your career?

"This is my first corporate job and the area in which I work is so unique that it would be difficult to gain similar experience anywhere else. Also, SDG&E's and Sempra's commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as setting an example for green alternatives, have taught me that those areas are necessary for an equitable, sustainable business."

Esther Petros

California State University, San Marcos

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Major: Accounting

Program: Business Administration

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your internship so far?

"The most rewarding aspect of my internship so far has been the connections I have made with current employees of SDG&E in the IT & Ops Support Business Planning department. I was welcomed to the team with open arms, and I have no doubt that this support will be continuous. The comforting atmosphere in this department is a reflection of the company and the organization as a whole. Growing my network is one of the goals I have for this internship and this process has been easy at SDG&E. All those that I have reached out to, in hopes for a conversation about their career path and journey, have responded excitedly and are eager to share all that they have learned. Another rewarding aspect of this internship has been the ability to apply knowledge from my current university classes to the work that I am doing. This is a full circle moment that I am grateful to experience early on."

Nathan Vandermerwe

San Diego State University

Major: Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting and Finance

Program: Business Administration

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your internship so far?

"The most rewarding aspect of my internship so far has been spearheading my own projects and being able to make a difference. So far, I have been able to lead a team of interns in a volunteer project as well as take on a chapter of Enterprise Risk Management."

Nick Weiss

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Degree: Bachelor of Science - Major: Computer Engineering

Program: IT

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your internship so far?

"The most rewarding aspect of my internship so far has been the strong connections I've been able to make with fellow interns, associates, and managers. All the events we've participated in have greatly enabled us to branch out throughout the company."

Sravya Chittuluri

University of California San Diego

Degree: Bachelor of Science - Major: Computer Science - Minor: Cognitive Science

Program: IT

How do you see your internship with SDG&E helping you throughout your career?

"So far, I've gotten the opportunity to work alongside developers to create web applications, and the opportunity to participate in Agile development. These experiences will help me embark on similar software projects in the future."

Faamanuia (Manu) Ahfook

San Diego State University

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting

Program: Business Administration

How do you see your internship with SDG&E helping you throughout your career?

"The internship will play a crucial role throughout my career since it has made me a more versatile professional by exposing me to not only Accounting, but also Finance, Environmental studies, and management."

Joshua De Mesa

Pepperdine University

Degree: Bachelor of Science - Majors: Computer Science, Mathematics

Program: IT

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your internship so far?

"The most rewarding aspect of my internship so far was networking and getting to know the most amazing and talented people here at SDG&E. I love the culture that we have here and the dynamic that is present which is fun while being productive."

Haley Tran

Cal Poly San Louis Obispo

Degree: Bachelor of Science - Major: Business Administration, Concentration in Accounting

Program: Business Administration

How do you see your internship with SDG&E helping you throughout your career?

"My department this year will definitely help me throughout my career as I get to see insight to how a Fortune 500 company runs its financial statements. Along with that, the various networking opportunities has allowed me to gain insight into what I would want to pursue in my future in Accounting."

Gabe Lujan

Cal Poly Pomona

Degree: Bachelor of Engineering - Major: Electrical Engineering

Program: Engineering

How do you see your internship with SDG&E helping you throughout your career?

"I think this internship will help me with networking, as I've made so many connections here through intern events or just people I frequently talk to in the office. I also have learned so much about the industry that I can take away from this experience, such as company standards or how to read a one-line electrical diagram."

Simrin Ramchandani

Northeastern University

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Major: Finance - Minor: Data Science

Program: Business Administration

How do you see your internship with SDG&E helping you throughout your career?

"My internship with SDG&E will significantly benefit my career. It has given me the opportunity to network with industry professionals and enhance both soft and technical skills. I also have the chance to explore what interests me and narrow down my career path."

Jack Cabianca

University of San Diego

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration - Major: Finance - Minor: Computer Science

Program: Business Administration

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your internship so far?

"Learning more about a field that I am extremely passionate about in Data Science and also seeing how my results at the end of the internship program can help the company."

Courtney Chase

San Diego State University

Degree: Master of Science - Major: Electrical Engineering

Program: Engineering

How do you see your internship with SDG&E helping you throughout your career?

"This internship has provided me with a lot of practical experience that will support me in pursuing a career in power systems."

Elias Esplain

Arizona State University

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering (Electric Power and Energy Systems)

Program: Engineering

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your internship so far?

Being a part of the positive and collaborative environment at SDG&E has been very exciting for me as an electrical engineering student interested in power and energy! Having the opportunity to be a part of the Distributed Energy Resources team and traveling to multiple energized sites throughout the San Diego area and seeing real world technologies applied to the electric grid has been a rewarding experience. Learning day-to-day operations in the utility business and being able to work with and learn from professional engineers, linemen and substation technicians in the field has also been a rewarding experience. Traveling to the Integrated Testing Facility and witnessing live testing on grid equipment and visiting Battery Energy Storage System sites and assisting in battery maintenance has been some of the highlights of my internship. In all, being in San Diego and being able to experience a unique opportunity as an intern in the electric utility industry has been fulfilling!

Ryan Benner

Chapman University

Degree: Bachelor of Science - Majors: Computer Science, Chemistry

Program: IT

How do you see your internship with SDG&E helping you throughout your career?

"Throughout my internship, I have had the opportunity to foster a variety of both hard and soft skills, such as problem-solving, communication to leadership, and presentation skills. By having a very hands-on work environment and being able to hone these skills, my internship is providing a great foundation to further develop my career in the future!"

Ivanna Cervantes

San Diego State University

Degree: Bachelor of Science - Major: Accounting and Spanish

Program: Business Administration

How do you see your internship with SDG&E helping you throughout your career?

"Interning with SDG&E will allow me to cultivate local professional connections in my hometown, contribute to my community through volunteering alongside fellow interns, apply academic accounting knowledge as well as gain valuable skills for my future career journey."

Harrison Vinas

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Degree: Bachelor of Science - Major: Electrical Engineering

Program: Engineering

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your internship so far?

"The most rewarding part of my internship has been having the opportunity to work with people passionate about power. I have been able to learn some valuable information about how the company operates and the importance of Electric Distribution Operations, which is the department I work at."