Tyler's own Chris McMillan is making waves, but not in the usual sense. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) intern and University of Texas at Tyler student has spearheaded his school's concrete canoe team to a historic finish at the American Society of Civil Engineering National Concrete Canoe Competition, according to TxDOT. McMillan, who has spent six summers interning at TxDOT, was part of the team that achieved the highest placement in their school's history.
McMillan and his fellow engineers in training didn't just construct any boat, they built one that floats—out of concrete. The team toiled from September until April to perfect their vessel, a task that McMillan says was riddled with "hard work and unforeseen issues," as he told TxDOT. Their drive paid off at the 2024 ASCE Texas-Mexico Region 6 competition, where they nabbed their second consecutive regional championship.
Competing in concrete canoe challenges isn't just for glory; it's about problem-solving, design, construction, and teamwork. McMillan credits the contest with providing practical experience, one that requires participants to be meticulous with their concrete mix designs and project management. The competition has roots going back to the 1960s, evolving into a national event first held in 1988.
McMillan draws inspiration from his brother Alex, a former TxDOT intern and now a member of a Houston consulting firm. Reflecting on his internship experience, McMillan expressed his appreciation for the real-world skills gained, saying, "I can now visualize what needs to be done when putting together maintenance contracts," according to a TxDOT interview. This hands-on internship has given McMillan the chance to dip his toes into the professional engineering world, with a particular fascination for bridge structures and their complexities.
With graduation on the horizon in May 2029, McMillan's sights are firmly set. He plans to join an engineer training program with TxDOT, sharpening his skills toward becoming a licensed professional engineer. For those considering a similar path, McMillan's advice echoes his experience, "It is a great internship to help you get started in the professional world," a sentiment shared in his dialogue with TxDOT. As for McMillan's future, he envisions it at a TxDOT area office, applying his concrete knowledge to the infrastructural bones of Texas.
