Empowering the Next Generation at The Dutra Group
The Dutra Group recognizes the fundamental importance of investing in the next generation of maritime workers. We are committed to providing students with opportunities to gain a foothold in the industry that helps them start their careers.
In addition to on-the-job experience, the interns also get the chance to meet one another and bond as a class. They also get to tour Dutra’s different job sites and operations, including the San Rafael Rock Quarry, the Rio Vista equipment yard, and The Dutra Museum of Dredging.
For 2024, the intern program drew 15 interns, including the two cadets on the Stuyvesant from across the country, making it our largest and most professionally diverse group to date. Working on projects in Florida, Virginia, Hawaii, and at home in the Sacramento Delta and in Petaluma, this years class of interns had the chance to work on some of our most exciting projects.
Vice President of Human Resources Patty Dutra Bruce oversees the program and credits its success to improved outreach by the company, as well as a spreading reputation of Dutra’s intern program amongst student bodies. “Over the past decade, Dutra’s intern program has tripled in size. The commitment of our students matches our own, and the results have been thrilling.”
The program is specifically designed to give undergraduates an opportunity to learn hands-on at job sites. Students pursuing construction management or civil engineering are placed onsite to work alongside full-time employees. Dredging cadets are placed aboard vessels. Others may spend their time in the corporate headquarters. While interns typically spend their summer focusing on a single project, year-to-year projects can vary greatly, and this variety has prompted some former interns to reapply and gain experience in different capacities.
One-on-one mentoring is another highlight of the program. Every intern is assigned a mentor as their direct point of contact in the company. Their mentor acts as their guide as they learn about the challenging work we do. For many mentors, also it provides a chance to gain supervisory experience and an opportunity to connect with the upcoming generation of workers. According to the interns, mentors play a crucial role in the success of their internships, and they are grateful for the professional relationship. As Ryan Murphy, a civil engineering student at Sac State, said regarding his mentor: “He has been entirely supportive and willing to teach from day one. He encourages me to ask questions, take initiative, and has taught me so much”
“The Dutra Group’s average employee tenure is over 15 years,” says Patty. “The company’s emphasis on internal promotion factors into the expansion of its intern program. We are building our own employees and reaching out to students early is an essential way to fill our expanding needs, while also laying the groundwork for creating those long-term employees.”
The Dutra Group is currently looking for its next group of interns! If you are interested, please apply at dutragroup.com/careers.
