hero-image

← Back to Insights

Wired for the future

July 29, 2025
Wired for the future Electrical engineering intern Chase Van Guilder develops and refines wiring diagrams for a wind farm substation.

Each summer, we eagerly welcome a new group of future engineers to Barr. Spread across nine offices in the U.S. and Canada, our 24 interns have been busy gaining hands-on experience in their fields of interest.

Chase Van Guilder is an electrical engineering student entering his senior year at the University of Minnesota Duluth. With a growing interest in power systems and robotics, he’s using his internship at Barr’s Duluth office to explore the practical side of electrical engineering. Here, we chat with Chase about what he’s learned so far at his summer internship and how it will better prepare him for a career in electrical engineering.

What types of projects have you been involved with at Barr so far?

I like that I’ve been able to work on a bunch of different projects at Barr. My work can be completely different from one day to the next. So far, I’ve worked on substation design, physical design, and wiring schematics for renewable energy projects.

What’s the coolest project you’ve worked on so far?

I’m working on rough sketches for different project elements—figuring out placements of transformers and switches and determining the different conduit and wire sizes that are needed. Starting from scratch and building this out on Bluebeam has been really interesting. It’s rewarding to see all that work come to life, even though it’s just a rough sketch. It’s really cool to be able to turn that drawing into a reality.

What is one surprising thing you’ve learned during your internship?

“There is not necessarily a right and a wrong answer to a problem ... you need to think about what would work best in a specific situation.”

One surprising thing I’ve learned is just how much goes into the engineering design process—much more than I initially thought.

I have also learned that there is not necessarily a right and a wrong answer to a problem. There can be multiple solutions, and you need to think about what would work best in a specific situation.

How has this internship helped you step out of your comfort zone?

This is my first job in this field, so I came in feeling kind of clueless. Coming in as the new kid and having a lot to learn was intimidating initially. Learning to ask questions and acknowledging that I don’t have the answers have definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. The best piece of advice I’ve received is: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.” Both of my sponsors have also been wonderful at taking time out of their day to help me, and even people I’ve never talked to before have been very helpful.

What would you say to someone considering an internship at Barr?

I would highly recommend an internship at Barr! The people here are great to work with, and the work itself is very rewarding. You’ll get a variety of experiences—which is something you should strive for in an internship—and that will help you figure out which path you want to follow. I know this experience will be really helpful for me once I start progressing further into my career. I have gained a broad understanding of the electrical engineering field at Barr, and it’s provided a great springboard for determining my own interests.

What about your future career are you most excited for?

I like that engineers get to build things. I’ve always enjoyed creating things with my hands, and it’s also a very useful field. People need power, so it’s something I feel will always be applicable and rewarding. You’re helping people out, you’re creating resources that people need, and it’s an essential job. What excites me is that I’m doing a job that I not only like but one that benefits people as well.

What do you like to do with your free time?

I really like spending my free time outdoors. I enjoy biking, fishing, hunting, skiing, golfing, snowmobiling, and even just going on different hikes around Duluth. I am also a big football fan, so I typically spend my Sundays in the fall watching the Minnesota Vikings lose.

Interested in becoming an intern at Barr? Learn more.

About the author

Evie Zick is a communications and multimedia student at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and expects to graduate in December 2025. Evie began her career at Barr as a corporate communications intern last summer and recently took on the role of communications associate. Her passions include writing, visual arts and design, environmental conservation, and solution-based storytelling.

Image gallery (below)

  1. Chase and fellow electrical engineering intern Holland Gilmore team up to create wiring diagrams for a wind farm substation.

  2. An avid fisherman, Chase catches a big one on Lake Winnibigoshish in Minnesota. 

  3. Chase and his brother kayak through Glacier National Park in Montana.

  4. The cold weather doesn’t stop Chase from embracing the outdoors. Here, he takes a break from snowboarding to enjoy the view at Park City Mountain in Utah.

Image gallery

Tags:

Barr Culture Career Electrical Engineering Internship

 

Evie Zick headshot
Evie Zick
Communications Associate
Contact our team→

 

Theme picker

Theme picker