Capital Planning and Development at Linfield College

I started interning with CP&D early July. It’s been one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve had at Linfield, and has given me opportunities that wouldn’t have otherwise been possible working a typical job, at say a deli or grocery store. I’ve been able to learn so much about how Linfield functions behind the scenes and the tremendous amounts of effort and collaboration that goes into the planning, designing and construction of its physical environment. 

The Capital Planning department does exactly what its name entails. As stated on its home page, it “strives to bridge gaps between the academic mission and campus physical and environmental development”. TJ Day Hall was a project designed and constructed under CP&D, as well as the implementation of the 85 solar panels mounted on TJ’s roof. More recently Tom Hellie unveiled the building’s LEEDs Gold status which has been anxiously anticipated at Capital Planning.

I often get asked to clarify what it is I do at CP&D. The bulk of my work is balancing Linfield’s utility bills, so often I say ‘accounting’. However there are many things I assist with that do not fall under the typical task of an accountant. Some days I am in the office designing web pages or organizing info, on other days I am wearing a hard-hat, shadowing engineers, looking at blueprints, taking measurements and documenting campus construction. 

I never quite know where I will be working or who I will be working with. However, this is a tremendous benefit of my internship because I am pushed to become familiarized with concepts, programs and skills that generally come from different backgrounds. While it may be unrealistic to master everything that I help with at CP&D, my goal is to develop a set a versatile skills that will give me the edge in the job market and a business oriented mindset to assist with my environmental policy background.