We are excited to collaborate with our intern, Luis Ducharne, in our Charlottesville office this summer. Luis will be working on the structural engineering side of the firm and learning about design with steel, concrete, wood, and masonry. Here’s a little more about him…
Luis at the Colosseum last Fall semester during his study abroad.
Name – Luis Ducharne
Location – Charlottesville
Title – Intern
Year you began working for ES – 2026
When did you know you wanted to be a structural engineer?
I have known I wanted to be a structural engineer since I first started classes at Virginia Tech. Structures have always been something that has interested me, so having been able to take structures related classes such as Statics, Deforms, or Intro to Structures has only increased my desire to learn more about the design and analysis that goes behind every structure.
What is the best part about your job vs being a student ?
The best part about my job is having experiences that I would not be able to have as a student. Most of the classes I have taken so far have focused primarily on theory or pure calculation.
Luis and his friends at their Club Cross Country and Track & Field spring banquet.
The job allows me to combine both of them while also learning how to use the necessary software.
What do you hope to learn this summer?
I hope to be able to become more proficient with the software used in the industry such as Risa, Bluebeam, etc.
I also hope to learn more about the process behind designing structures made of wood, concrete, steel, or masonry.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy going on runs or working out with my friends. I also like hiking, traveling, and cooking when I have the time.
Tell us about your family.
I have two siblings: an older brother and a younger sister. My family lives in Montgomery, New Jersey. My mom is a supply chain director at L’Oréal and my dad is Merck’s operations network director.
Fun fact about yourself?
I was able to see an aurora by accident by pointing my camera up at the sky while walking back to an Airbnb I was staying at in Norway.
What is your favorite restaurant at school, and in C’ville so far?
My favorite restaurant at school is El Rodeo. The food is good and it is reasonably priced. My favorite restaurant in C’ville is Citizen Burger. It is also the only one I have been to so far.
Luis and friends after racing a relay for one of their club meets.