Sophia joined Frequency for a paid summer internship over summer, gaining hands‑on experience in project delivery while contributing across a range of civil projects. From understanding how programmes are built, to seeing variation orders, payment claims and staging plans come to life, she had a real look at how projects move from concept to completion.
We sat down with Sophia to hear more about her experience and what she’s learned so far.
Hi Sophia! Tell us, what are you currently studying?
I’m heading into my final year of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Auckland. In my spare time, I try to study geography to upskill for my weekly pub quizzes.
Why did you apply for the paid internship with Frequency, and what were you hoping to gain?
I first met Frequency (Ingrid) at a grad and intern expo when I was in second year. Combine that with Frequency’s support of the university clubs I was part of, and they quickly landed on my radar as a leading project management consultancy.
As I got further into my degree and gained more industry experience, I realised how much I wanted to learn more about project management, project delivery and on‑site work. Luckily, I already knew a company whose bread and butter ticked every box, so that’s how I found myself applying. I wanted to understand what project managers actually do. It felt like researching before an overseas holiday – you can read everything and ask everyone, but nothing beats experiencing it for yourself.
What did you learn during your time at Frequency?
I loved learning about the breadth of tasks project managers handle – payment claims, variation orders, programmes, staging plans and everything in between. I also feel like I’ve finally connected the dots on how all the moving parts relate to each other and how each piece plays a different purpose in delivering a project.
Were there any surprises during your experience?
How much a company’s culture impacts your day‑to‑day experience. I was pleasantly blown away. The people here are fantastic everyone is willing to explain concepts, communicate clearly, and have a good yarn. And, this might sound shallow, but the calming office, the stocked kitchen, and the little office traditions genuinely make a difference.
Some days I feel like I’m living the quote: “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
YES, absolutely!! It’s hard to know if something is right for you just by reading about it, but if you think you might enjoy project management, take the chance. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. In the spirit of honesty, here’s my one caveat: Good luck finding free parking if you’re not an early bird.
How has this internship helped you with your future studies and career?
It confirmed my suspicions – I’ll definitely be dabbling in project management in the future. Watch this space. I’ll also be putting a lot of what I’ve learned about contract types (special shoutout to NZS 3910) straight into my Semester 1 course, CIVIL 790.
What is your advice for Future Frequency interns?
- Ask heaps of questions, especially when you’re trying to figure out the context of what people are talking about.
- Make the most of the opportunities Frequency provides. I attended industry events that I never would have gone to without Frequency’s support
- And most importantly… enjoy it!!
Interested in joining us?
Click here to learn more about our internships and when applications open for November 2026.