Mikala Blog 1

 FIRST FIVE WEEKS AT CARBO 

WEEK ONE 

My first week at CARBO has been an exciting introduction to the firm! Much of our time was spent getting acclimated—learning about the company’s workflow, programs, and projects. We started with an in-depth office tour, a tentative schedule for the coming weeks, and a rundown of commonly used software, including LandFX, VectorWorks, and Illustrator. Monday kicked off with a full-staff meeting, where workload was distributed, and project updates were shared—a great way to see how information flows across teams.We spent time setting up our new laptops, getting familiar with CARBO’s file database, and diving into hands-on software tutorials. Beyond technical training, we sat in on several project meetings to gain insight into real-world applications of design and planning. Some highlights included discussions on the Monroe BRIP streetscape alongside the architectural team, plans for the LSPD headquarters, a stakeholder meeting on the Perkins Overpass project, and an irrigation strategy session for St. Aloysius School. Internal meetings focused on planting plans for Southeastern’s campus and the initial design of a residential project in Baton Rouge. The week wrapped up with an exciting site visit to the LSU Science Building, currently under construction. We had the opportunity to participate in material matching, comparing our hardscape paver selections to the wall veneers being installed. 

Me and Danny keeping our big brains protected in style 

WEEK TWO 

With orientation behind us, week two was all about getting our hands dirty (metaphorically speaking). I started off by adjusting the Cane River Discovery Center schematic design render in Illustrator, incorporating redlines from Hayden Hammons before the final internal submission on Tuesday. Next, I completed a drainage diagram for the Monroe BRIP parking lot area, ensuring stormwater considerations were effectively documented. Moving forward, I shifted to Lock Park, making hardscape adjustments in LandFX and updating the rendered version to reflect the new plan. Later in the week, we had a briefing on the Roseate Beach project, a long-term design endeavor that we’ll be involved with throughout our internship. It was exciting to get an overview of such a large-scale, evolving project. 

interesting sidewalk!

WEEK THREE 

 Baton Rouge transformed into a winter wonderland this week, forcing us to go remote for most of it. While unexpected snow days provided a nice break to enjoy the rare weather, we still kept up with project check-ins via Zoom. I continued refining Lock Park’s rendering updates, aligning visuals with the newest design modifications. Later in the week, I completed my first draft of layout sheets for Roseate Beach, organizing design elements into a presentable, structured format. While remote work had its challenges, it gave me time to focus on detail-oriented tasks and improve my efficiency in rendering and layout development.

karma and zen playing in the swamp snow!

WEEK FOUR 

Week four brought a shift back to in-person work, and we jumped right in. I continued working on Roseate Beach layout sheets, improving their clarity and organization. One highlight was a site visit to the Perkins Overpass, where we were able to physically walk the site and get a feel for its scale, traffic flow, and existing conditions—an invaluable experience that digital plans can’t fully capture. The first half of the week also included a trip to the Baton Rouge Zoo, a project completed by Sasaki with CARBO handling the planting plans. Since the project was finished a year ago, it was time for a warranty check-in, ensuring plants had survived and thrived as expected. Alongside Danny, I identified and tagged over 200 trees, refining both my field observation and plant identification skills. Afterward, we processed photos, organized data, and compiled a quantitative list for replacement plants. In my free time, I worked on an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for Fat City in Metairie, gathering completed CARBO projects and formatting them into an InDesign file used to apply for future work. It was a great way to see how firms market themselves for new projects.

Russian Bee Boxes in our own backyard whattttt

WEEK FIVE 

We continued our zoo site visits, translating our observations into site analysis diagrams that make it easier for maintenance teams to locate problem areas and address plant health concerns. Having a clear, visual representation of these findings will help ensure the long-term success of the landscape. Midweek, we had a check-in meeting with Danielle, where we shared our honest impressions of the internship so far. CARBO has done an incredible job integrating us into meaningful work, and we had nothing but positive feedback.  I also received markups on my Roseate Beach layout sheets, catching some over-dimensioning mistakes that I quickly adjusted. As the week wrapped up, we took a step back from work for an office retreat—a backyard gathering where the team grilled burgers, reflected on CARBO’s past year, and discussed goals for the future. It was a great way to connect with everyone outside of project work and gain insight into the firm’s long-term vision.

                                            

Frankie, the one-eyed office dog sniffing out my purse
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