Sydney Conboy’s Journey at GTA: From Intern to Geotechnical Professional

When Sydney Conboy first set foot in a GTA lab as a summer intern, she had no idea it would be the start of her career. She was a college freshman eager to gain hands-on experience, but what she found was something more—mentorship, growth opportunities, and a clear path to professional success. Now a Geotechnical Professional in GTA’s Raleigh office, Sydney’s journey exemplifies how the company fosters career development and supports its employees’ ambitions.

With plans to earn her PE license, complete her master’s degree, and work toward becoming a partner, Sydney’s story is just beginning. And through it all, GTA has provided the foundation for her to succeed. As she puts it, “GTA really set me up for my career.”

Finding GTA: The Evolution from Intern to Full-Time Professional

Sydney grew up in Maryland and attended the University of Mississippi to study geological engineering. While home for the summer in 2019, a neighbor encouraged her to apply for an internship at GTA. She took the advice and landed her first role with the company.

That summer marked the start of a long-term relationship with GTA. Sydney returned for two more summer internships in 2020 and 2021, along with a winter internship, before graduating in 2022. Her experience as an intern not only reinforced her passion for the field but also solidified her desire to continue with GTA as a full-time employee.

As an intern, Sydney primarily worked in GTA’s lab, gaining foundational knowledge about soil testing and analysis. While valuable, she quickly realized she wanted a role that allowed her to be in the field. When she joined GTA full-time in 2022, her responsibilities expanded beyond the lab. Now, she manages multiple construction jobs and retaining wall projects at any given time, blending her engineering knowledge with hands-on fieldwork.

Her time at GTA has taught her the complexities of construction, an area she admits she didn’t fully understand before starting. “The biggest thing I’ve learned since being with the company is anything to do with construction,” she says. “But I also get to apply my geological engineering background in areas like subsurface exploration.”

A Day in the Life: The Variety and Challenges of Geotechnical Work

One of Sydney’s favorite aspects of her job is the variety—no two days are ever the same, which keeps her work engaging and dynamic. On any given day, she juggles multiple responsibilities, from managing construction projects to analyzing field data and writing reports.

“I’ve learned to appreciate and enjoy it much more, especially how the subsurface interacts with construction. Each project varies based on local geology, soil conditions, and the different techniques we need to develop to ensure construction proceeds as planned.”

She also values the hands-on nature of geotechnical engineering. “I just like playing in dirt,” she jokes. That passion for fieldwork and her growing skills have made her a key part of the Raleigh team.

Beyond the work itself, Sydney highlights GTA’s culture as a major reason she’s stayed. “That’s what makes GTA GTA,” she says, emphasizing the company’s commitment to professional development and employee support.

GTA invests in its employees, and Sydney is taking full advantage. She’s currently pursuing a Master’s in Civil Engineering at NC State with GTA’s tuition reimbursement program. In the long term, she aims to earn her PE license and become a partner. She credits GTA’s leadership and her colleagues for fostering an environment where employees feel encouraged to grow. “Everyone I’ve met is just very supportive. They want to see people grow in the company, and they want the company to grow with us.”

Advice for Future Interns: Embracing the Learning Experience

Looking back on her own experience, Sydney has valuable advice for future GTA interns: “Be a sponge,” keep an open mind, and be eager to learn.

“There’s so much to learn, and a lot of what you pick up in the field isn’t taught in school,” she says.

She acknowledges that geotechnical engineering comes with a learning curve, but she encourages interns to embrace the challenges. The experience, she says, enhances technical skills and opens doors to new career possibilities.

Sydney’s journey at GTA has come full circle. She’s an active member of the President’s Advisory Group, a team of junior staff who collaborate with leadership to bring fresh ideas and innovation to the company. One of the group’s key initiatives is shaping GTA’s internship program to ensure future interns have a meaningful and enriching experience.

For Sydney, this role is particularly rewarding. She knows firsthand the impact a great internship can have on a young engineer’s career and is excited to contribute to the program’s evolution.

Ready to Join the GTA Team?

Sydney Conboy’s journey from intern to full-time Geotechnical Professional illustrates what makes GTA a great place to build a career. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and a culture of continuous learning, she has grown into a confident professional with ambitious goals.

Thank you, Sydney, for sharing your journey and for the incredible work you do at GTA!

If Sydney’s story inspires you, and you’re ready to grow your career in a dynamic, supportive environment, we’d love to hear from you! Explore GTA’s career opportunities and internship programs today: geo-technology-associates.breezy.hr/