Zhou Zijie, a high school senior and Missouri Military Academy cadet from Shenzhen, China, gained valuable practical experience through an internship with the Missouri-Mexico Department of Public Works during the fall 2023 semester. Cadet Zhou has been participating in MMA since 2019 and is involved in the rifle team, fusilier drill team, and tennis. He serves in cadet leadership positions as a battalion executive and joint fusilier training team commander.
“I am very happy to have the internship opportunity at the Mexican College of Engineering,” says Cadet Zhou Zijie. “This opportunity helped me gain insight into problem-solving methodologies commonly used by engineers, as well as a deep understanding of the software and hardware essential to this field.”
Throughout the semester, Cadet Zhou honed his civil engineering skills. He was involved in projects such as road repair, the city's five-year road plan, construction site inspections, surveying using GIS systems, pipe inspections using exploration robots, and data collection at Mexico Memorial Airport.
“Cadet Zhou distinguished himself by demonstrating exceptional critical thinking skills, perseverance and self-motivation in all projects undertaken during his internship,” said Public Works Director Andrew Williford. states. “Cadet Zhou is definitely an outstanding intern, and the city is pleased to once again partner with the Missouri Military Academy to make this opportunity possible.”
After graduation, Cadet Zhou plans to attend either Virginia Tech or the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
