Turning Interaction Design Skills Into Career Experience

Key Points:

• Interaction Design student Trey Freeman gained hands-on experience in 3D physical design for electrical substations at his summer internship with Sargent & Lundy.
• Support from LVC’s Breen Center helped Freeman prepare for the interview and land the internship.
• Freeman’s internship led to an offer to continue working with Sargent & Lundy next semester.

When Trey Freeman ’27 transferred to Lebanon Valley College, he was looking for the right academic and athletic fit. He found both, along with an unexpected opportunity to connect his engineering background with a new field of study.

A transfer student from Pennsylvania Western University, Freeman came to LVC with three years of experience in Mechatronics. At The Valley, he shifted his academic focus to Interaction Design (IXD), where he found a natural intersection between his technical background and an emphasis on human-centered design, a creative approach to problem solving that starts with the needs of the user.

“What stands out most is the strong emphasis on practical application and Human-Centered Design (HCD),” Freeman said. “Coming in with three years of background in Mechatronics, I really appreciate how the program allows me to blend engineering with user experience.”

That combination proved valuable this summer, when Freeman joined Sargent & Lundy as a Physical Design Intern with the firm’s Grid Group in Wilmington, Delaware.

Working on FirstEnergy substation projects, Freeman created 3D models and engineering drawings for equipment, assemblies, and subassemblies. His work involved arranging heavy electrical equipment such as transformers, breakers, and bus systems, ensuring proper clearances, and producing construction and fabrication drawings.

“It was an awesome hands-on environment and a great way to build on my engineering background,” Freeman said.

Freeman also expanded his technical skills by learning new software, including Autodesk Inventor.

Landing the internship was an important part of Freeman’s professional growth, and LVC’s Breen Center for Career & Professional Development was there throughout the process. Freeman worked with the center to prepare his resume, practice interviewing, and build confidence before meeting with Sargent & Lundy.

“I can’t say enough good things about the Breen Center,” Freeman said. “From the beginning of the process to the final offer, they were right there.”

The interview lasted two and a half hours and included conversations about Freeman’s interests, previous projects, and research into the company and its work in the electric grid sector.

He particularly credits his work with Breen Center staff member Jonathan Lopes for helping him approach the interview with confidence.

“Mr. Lopes was a standout mentor for me. He didn’t just give me questions to study; he actually prepared me for the reality of the interview,” Freeman said. “The biggest takeaway for me was the mindset shift. He helped me build so much confidence that I felt the internship was already mine before I even sat down.”

For Freeman, the experience demonstrates the value of combining his technical background with his LVC education.

“My professional goal is to leverage my technical skills in automation and physical design,” he said. “LVC has been great in teaching me how to bridge the gap between technical functionality and user experience.”

Beyond the classroom, Freeman is a member of the Dutchmen football team, referees for US Soccer, and manages the 21 Legacy Scholarship, which he founded to support graduating students from his former high school.

And his summer internship has already opened the door to what’s next. Following the conclusion of his internship, Sargent & Lundy offered Freeman a position to remain with the team. He will work with the company during the upcoming semester while continuing his studies at LVC part-time.

For Freeman, the experience is another step toward a career that brings together engineering, technology, design, and the human experience.

“LVC has given me the tools to combine hardware, software, and the human element effectively,” he said.