Intern Interview: Peter Baillo

Meet Peter Baillo, our summer intern. For those of you that haven't heard, Peter is a senior at LASA (Liberal Arts and Science Academy) who is a part of the City of Austin's Get Ready! Summer Internship. This internship is STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) and allows him to work in a professional work environment, while gaining valuable work experience. In addition, Peter starts off the internship with three SMART goals in mind, two of which are understanding work ethic and saving $300+ for college. Peter hopes to learn from the disciplined, structured, and orderly nature of the office and apply it to his own life, especially his finances and his path towards college. We wanted to share Peter's application essay as we felt it was so beautifully written. Cheers to Peter and a great summer of learning!

Growing up in the Philippines, there were no skyscrapers littered on the rolling hills or apartment complexes of various colors, their lights adorning the night sky. It was only when I moved to New York City at the tender age of four, that I was able to see these concrete giants, with their blinking neon flashing eyes. It was at this age that I was filled with the fascination of the man-made world around me. The amazement I felt surrounded by these steel-built titans, was what drove me to be curious about the way things work, and eventually blossom into a passion for Engineering. This internship would be the ideal opportunity for me to explore my career plan while gaining valuable experiences and skills.

I should be selected for this internship because of my skill sets and driven character. In every situation, I give my all to be productive, efficient, and strategic - by setting goals and using backward planning. In the face of difficulty, I use it as an opportunity to learn and grow from it. For example, in my internship ACE my team faced many challenges. Whether it was creating a working sewage system, designing a building, or using an architectural program, through my motivation and eagerness to learn, I was able to persevere and ultimately overcome these problems. I also have a strong background in leadership and communication. I have taught Sunday School to children in my church for over two years, taught and led a dance group to perform in my school’s multiple dance showcases, as well as effectively communicate and help my ACE internship team to win challenges and overcome difficulties. I hope to hone my abilities even further through this internship and apply them in engineering.

Through this internship, I hope to gain work experience/skills and practical and specialized knowledge. I also hope to have helpful interactions with the workforce and benefit from a mentorship. Ultimately, I aim to have a better idea about my occupation and prepare myself for an engineering career.

Being accepted into this internship would bring me closer to the fulfillment of my aspirations.

Grade: Senior

High School: LASA (Liberal Arts and Science Academy)

Interested Majors: Civil Engineering, Architecture

To learn more about internships offered through the City of Austin, click the link below.