Building Confidence Through Connection 

Parkhill’s Student Connections program focuses on growth and applying knowledge through real-world experience. This program welcomes young professionals of all backgrounds into our offices. It encourages them to build connections, confidence, and a sense of community that carries into their careers, with many choosing to continue at Parkhill.  

Gabriella “Gaby” Repetto is a structural engineering student in Parkhill’s Midland office for her second summer with Student Connections. She also has experience in the Lubbock office, where she works part-time during the academic year while attending Texas Tech University. She plans to graduate with her degree in civil engineering in the spring of 2027.   

Trusting in Opportunities  

What started as a friend’s invitation to join the executive board of the Structural Engineering Association of Texas (SEAoT) student chapter at Texas Tech turned into a leadership opportunity and career inspiration for Gabriella “Gaby” Repetto. As the youngest member of the board, she quickly went from secretary to vice president and now serves as president, strengthening her passion for structural engineering. 

That passion led Gaby to search for an internship in Midland, where she found an opportunity at Parkhill. 

“I didn’t think I was what they were looking for,” she said. “Then they called and told me I got the internship.” 

At Parkhill, Marisa Estrada, structural engineer-in-training, Roland Holder, PE, SE, and Caleb White, structural engineer-in-training, have served as mentors, giving Gaby opportunities to build technical skills while encouraging her to ask questions. 

“Having different mentors has been incredibly valuable because it has helped me learn how to approach different people, adapt my communication style, and ask questions in different ways,” Gaby said. “Even though we are all engineers, everyone has a unique perspective and teaching style, which has contributed greatly to my growth.” 

Working with a smaller structural team has also given Gaby opportunities to contribute meaningfully and receive personalized guidance. That environment has helped her become more comfortable and confident in her abilities. 

Currently serving as her primary mentor, Caleb noticed that confidence grow throughout her experience this summer. 

“As the summer progressed, she became a much more confident communicator with the team and did a great job taking feedback and applying it to her work,” he said. “I think that willingness to ask questions and communicate openly was a big part of her growth and will serve her as she continues developing as an engineer.” 

Hands-On Experience and Student Connections 

Gaby’s first assignments at Parkhill introduced her to reports, existing buildings, and foundational engineering tasks. As her experience expanded, so did the complexity of her work. This summer, she is performing structural calculations, contributing to design work, and helping prepare construction documents for active projects. 

One of her proudest accomplishments was working on the administration building for the City of Post Wastewater Treatment Plant in summer 2025. 

“I was able to develop the building from scratch alongside the architect, which was an amazing learning experience,” she said. “The project is expected to begin construction soon, and I always joke that I want to take my graduation pictures there someday.” 

More recently, Gaby has contributed to San Angelo Central High School. The size and complexity of the project have allowed her to work on areas including the auditorium and cafeteria while collaborating with a larger team and gaining experience with more intricate structural designs and multiple disciplines.  

Her hands-on project experience has been complemented by Parkhill’s Student Connections program. Although she works in an office with only two interns, weekly virtual meetings and collaborative projects have connected her with students across Parkhill’s offices and disciplines. 

Networking with civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering students has continued to help Gaby understand the multidisciplinary nature of Parkhill’s work and has created a well-rounded student experience.  

“I get to work a lot more with other students and see their side, especially since civil is so broad,” she said. “I get to talk to electrical and mechanical, and I think that has really been my most valuable part of Student Connections.” 

Growth Beyond Engineering  

For Gaby, her experience at Parkhill has extended beyond becoming a more confident engineer. She speaks English as a second language. While serving as a community advisor in the residence halls at Texas Tech has encouraged her to speak publicly and participate in large groups, she credits her experience at Parkhill with helping her become more confident. 

“Because I was born in Argentina, English is not my first language,” she said. “I think this job has really helped me develop personally, and I think I’m a lot more confident now than I used to be.” 

The relationships she has formed with her team have played an important role in that growth. Gaby said her coworkers have created an environment where she feels comfortable asking questions while also supporting her as she balances part-time work, her involvement in student organizations, and being dedicated to academics. 

“Beyond the technical experience, my team feels like a family,” she said. “Everyone is approachable, and I never hesitate to ask questions. That supportive environment has helped me grow both professionally and personally.” 

While Gaby is proud of the projects she has helped design, she considers her overall development at Parkhill her greatest accomplishment. 

“More than any specific project, I am proud of how much I have grown during my time at Parkhill,” she said. “I have developed professionally as an engineer, gained confidence in my abilities, and grown personally through the relationships and experiences I have had here. That growth is what I am most proud of sharing with others.”