Meet Kaylen, one of our interns at BP Canada, who’s diving into real-world process design on an industrial project.

From reviewing P&IDs to exploring 3D CAD models, Kaylen is helping translate the technical design of a chocolate plant from Ontario to Pennsylvania — and learning what large-scale engineering really looks like.

Her advice to future interns? “Be curious, ask questions, and connect with people — it makes all the difference.”

1. What drew you to study Chemical Engineering?

I’ve always been interested in how things work at a fundamental level, and this curiosity evolved alongside a growing awareness for the importance of sustainable processes. Chemical engineering stood out to me because it is a steppingstone to making tangible impact across industries like energy and manufacturing.

2. Why did you choose to intern at BP Canada/Blue Projects?

As a chemical engineering student actively seeking hands-on experience, I was drawn to the scope of work involving process design. The chance to contribute to industrial projects and work closely with multidisciplinary teams offers an invaluable learning environment to apply my theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges.

3. What are your career aspirations, and how does this internship fit in?

I aspire to work in a role where I can help optimize industrial processes to reduce environmental impact. Eventually, I hope to contribute to projects focused on clean energy or sustainable manufacturing. This internship allows me to see how large-scale engineering projects are executed in the real world, and it helps me build the technical and communication skills I’ll need in my future career.

About your role

4. What are the main projects or tasks you’re working on during your internship?
5. Have you had the chance to work with any specific technologies, tools, or teams?

The project I’m assisting with involves translating the technical scope and design of a chocolate manufacturing plant from Ontario to a new location in Pennsylvania. My role primarily includes collaborating with the process team to draft and review P&IDs, calculate HVAC loads, size tanks and equipment, and generally support wherever I can. It’s been a treat to explore the 3D CAD models and see how all the planning comes together visually.

6. What has been the most exciting or surprising part of the experience so far?

What surprised me most is the level of involvement that I was given early on. From visiting the plant in Brantford before I even started to participating in the design reviews, I am given the opportunity to see the bigger picture that’s beyond my tasks. It’s been exciting to see how my work feeds into larger project deliverables.

Reflections

7. What have you learned so far that you didn’t expect?

I didn’t expect just how many intricacies would go into executing an engineering project. I’ve learned that there’s a decision to be made at every step, and always more details to refine. If a project involving the translation of an existing plant can be this demanding, I can only imagine the complexity involved in designing something entirely from scratch. This experience has changed the way I look at the world around me. Every product I use, every building I walk into, represents countless hours of planning, coordination, and engineering decisions.

8. How has this internship helped you grow professionally or personally?

I’ve become more confident in applying my technical knowledge and in asking questions when I need clarity. I’m much less hesitant to reach out, whether it’s to vendors, teammates, or even people in different countries I’ve never met. This experience has helped me realize that effective communication is just as important as technical skills, and that people are usually more than willing to help if you take the initiative.

9. What advice would you give to future interns in your field?

Connect with people as much as possible, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most people have been in your shoes before and are more than willing to help. Building relationships early on not only helps you learn faster but also makes the experience more rewarding.