"The learning curve during this internship was incredibly steep."

Mauro, when you look back on your internship, what stands out in your memory?

Mauro: That I was part of the Transport and Spaces team from day one. Before you start an internship, you never really know whether you’re actually doing an internship or just serving as “cheap labor.” My time at Basler & Hofmann was truly a proper internship. I got to gain insight into an incredible number of projects, ask questions, and contribute directly. I was surprised by how much trust the team placed in me. I was allowed to do an incredible amount on my own. Of course, the team reviewed everything – but I was allowed to work on my own first, then received feedback and was able to learn from it. That allowed me to grow tremendously professionally.

What were your main responsibilities?

Mauro: I mainly worked on projects related to the design of street spaces and mobility concepts. A large part of my work involved developing design alternatives in the Vectorworks software program and creating plans, such as for street spaces. For example, for a bridge, I analyzed how vehicle traffic could be routed or restricted, how much space should be allocated for pedestrians in the future, and whether rows of trees could be incorporated.

I had never worked with the Vectorworks CAD software before – so I started from scratch. After just a short time, I was already able to work on plans independently. The learning curve was extremely steep.

Which project did you find particularly exciting?

Mauro: For me, the most exciting part was working on a mobility concept for a university campus in a downtown location. There, every square meter has to be used as efficiently as possible. I was able to conduct pedestrian flow analyses, contribute to reports, and help assess how many bike parking spaces or car parking spaces will be needed in the future. That was the first time I really realized the impact our work has on future projects: Our recommendations help determine what a site will look like and how it will be used down the line.

How did you end up doing an internship at Basler & Hofmann?

Mauro: Through a lucky coincidence. Two years ago, I spoke with Martin Oberkofler, Senior Expert for Roads and Highways at Basler & Hofmann, at a career fair in Vienna and took his business card. The business card sat in my nightstand for two years. When I was looking for an internship after finishing my bachelor’s degree in spatial planning, I found it while tidying up and thought to myself, “I’ll just write to him.” To be honest, I didn’t expect it to turn into an internship so quickly. I was particularly pleasantly surprised by how quick and straightforward the hiring process was. Four weeks after my email, I had signed my employment contract.

What else surprised you about Basler & Hofmann?

Mauro: Swiss culture is generally seen as rather introverted in Vienna. At Basler & Hofmann, my experience was completely different. Many employees just came up to me and asked who I was and what I did. I’d never experienced anything like that before. I especially remember our first lunch together with the team on the rooftop terrace. Everyone introduced themselves. That’s when I realized how diverse the career paths are here—people from Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and Austria work together, with backgrounds in civil engineering, urban, transportation, and environmental planning, and many other fields of study. I found this diversity incredibly exciting.

Where did you live during your internship?

Mauro: I was able to stay in a company apartment provided by Basler & Hofmann—there just happened to be a room available. That was a huge advantage, because finding temporary housing in Zurich—the most expensive city in German-speaking Switzerland—is practically impossible for an intern. At the same time, I met another intern there and quickly made friends. This colleague was an intern in the Road Construction department.

What did you personally take away from those five and a half months?

Mauro: Professionally, above all, self-confidence. At first, a lot of things were new, and I was pretty stressed out. Looking back, there’s one thing in particular I’ve taken away: At some point, you have to trust yourself that you’ll figure it out – and that there are people who will support you along the way.

On a personal level, I’ve made many international connections, gotten to know Zurich and Switzerland really well, and discovered new athletic sides of myself. I went hiking a lot and was on a different mountain peak almost every weekend.

What’s next for you?

Mauro: First, I’m heading back to Austria. The very first thing I’ll do there is eat a schnitzel again. Then I’ll start my master’s degree in spatial planning and regional development. And since I realized during my internship here that I’m also interested in project management and economic topics, I’d like to take a few courses in project management as well.

Will we see you again at Basler & Hofmann?

Mauro: I certainly hope so. The internship showed me how diverse the work is and how much you can learn here. I could very well imagine coming back to Basler & Hofmann after I finish my studies. I’d already have my ticket in, after all.

What advice would you give to students interested in an internship at Basler & Hofmann?

Mauro: Just apply. Even an unsolicited application is worth it. Here, you get the chance to really contribute and learn an incredible amount. My advice is also to take advantage of every opportunity – to participate in company events, such as office tours, to engage with colleagues from other fields. That’s exactly what makes an internship at a company with such a broad range of expertise as Basler & Hofmann so special.

Thanks, Mauro, for this interview – and all the best!