Anson Lau is an alumnus of UConn Storrs who graduated with a degree in civil engineering. Since completing his studies at UConn, he has begun building his career in the construction industry and currently works as a Field Engineer at The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. His journey from a UConn student to a professional in the field reflects the strong foundation that the university provides to its engineering graduates.
Involvement at UConn
Anson was mostly involved with the Asian & Asian-American Cultural Center at UConn where he served as a student staff member for 3 years, being heavily involved with the Mentoring Program offered by AsACC. He began as a mentee for Asian & Asian American Mentoring Program, before becoming a mentor for 2 years, and then a coordinators for his final year. Anson describes the working environment as community and team-focused, as he was able to nurture his communication and time management skills in a time-sensitive and professional space under the guidance of the professional staff.
Securing the Internship
Anson found his internship in an unexpected way. The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company visited one of his engineering lectures in the Gant Science Complex to give a presentation about the building’s history and how they had constructed it. Anson was very interested in how much work was involved in creating such a complex building, so he wanted to learn more about it. Later, he encountered the company again at a career fair and shared his interest in being more involved in the process of turning blueprints into real structures. They suggested he explore construction engineering and management. The following summer, he gained an internship with the company and worked on the construction and renovation of a new branch campus for Fairfield University in Bridgeport, which was designed to help inner-city students start their path toward earning a college degree. Following the internship, he received a full-time offer to return as a Field Engineer.
Lessons Learned During Undergrad Studies:
During his undergraduate studies, Anson says he learned two lessons that shaped his experience both academically and personally: the importance of work-life balance and the value of asking questions. Reflecting on his time in college, Anson described how he initially believed that constant work was the only way to succeed. He often neglected rest and time outside of his studies, focusing only on getting work done. Over time, however, he realized that stepping away from the computer and spending time with friends and family was just as important. As Anson explained, “There is nothing more important than work-life balance and self-care. I had the work ethic, but I had to learn how to step back and actually enjoy the time I had during my undergrad.”
He also emphasized the importance of curiosity in learning, especially in a field like engineering. Anson recalled asking a question in class that he initially thought might be silly, but after the professor explained it, many students around him started taking notes. That moment reinforced his belief that asking questions helps everyone learn. As he put it, “There’s no such thing as a stupid question—if you’re wondering about something, chances are someone else is too.”
Challenges and Growth
One of the biggest challenges in Anson’s career was learning how to properly approach problem solving. During his undergraduate studies, he was highly driven by perfection and focused on always having the right answers to achieve perfect exam scores. While his work ethic and study habits were strong, he later realized that his problem-solving skills were not fully developed, especially in situations where there were no study guides or clear instructions to follow. Over time, Anson worked on this weakness by shifting his mindset away from perfection and toward continuous growth. “I stopped trying to be perfect and instead focused on growing toward perfection,” he said. From then on, he made it a habit to ask questions whenever he felt uncertain, even if it meant facing imposter syndrome or worrying about looking inexperienced. By leaning on the knowledge of professionals and experts around him, he gradually built a stronger foundation of understanding. As Anson put it, “You never want to be the person who knows it all—you want to surround yourself with people who always know more than you do.”
Key Qualities Employers Look for in Interns
Anson believes one of the strongest qualities that helped him land his position was his ability to be a “sponge” and absorb as much knowledge as possible. Engineering and construction companies, he explains, look for people who are willing to learn their processes and grow within their standards. When Anson joined The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company as an intern, he had little knowledge of construction or how to manage subcontractors, schedules, quality control, or documentation. However, his curiosity and eagerness to learn helped him stand out. “I came in knowing almost nothing about construction, but I wanted to learn as much as I could in that one summer,” Anson said. Today, he looks for that same quality in the interns he works with, paying close attention to how willing they are to learn, ask questions, and grow through problem solving.
Advice for Students
Anson’s advice to current students, especially those studying civil engineering at UConn, is to be ready to learn far beyond what is taught in lectures or slides. He emphasizes that much of the knowledge needed in a professional engineering career comes from hands-on experience and observing how real projects unfold from start to finish. “Prepare to learn a lot about the things that aren’t taught in lectures, recordings, or slide presentations,” Anson said. He encourages students to ask plenty of questions, not just about how something works, but also why it works that way. According to him, taking notes and staying curious during real-world experiences can help build a valuable toolbox of knowledge that students will rely on throughout their careers.
