Portside

The Port of Portland’s internship program gives college students an opportunity to apply their classroom education to real-life situations and develop the skills and work experience that will enhance their competitiveness for future employment opportunities.

In return, these college students give us lots of new energy and creative ideas. 

Are you in college or know someone attending a local university? To provide a preview of what the Port’s internship program entails, we asked our current interns to answer a few questions about their experience. Today, meet Facilities Engineering Intern Tony Scalise.

Name: Anthony "Tony" Scalise
Title and Department: Facilities Engineering Intern – Facilities Engineering
School and Studies: Mechanical Engineering at Portland State University

Can you share a bit about your background and what drew you to apply for an internship at the Port?
I started my journey back in 2009 when I began pursuing a computer science degree at East Carolina University. I left before graduating in favor of a high-paying retail job, a move my older self has questioned many times since. From there, I bounced around in the automotive, retail, real estate and technology industries searching for a fulfilling career.

In 2016, I moved from North Carolina to Oregon looking for a fresh start, and in 2020, I finally decided to go back to school to study mechanical engineering. While looking for a part-time job, I came across the Port’s listing for an engineering intern. After doing a bit of research on the Port of Portland, I was surprised to learn just how much the Port oversees. From Portland International Airport to the marine terminals to dredging the Columbia River, the Port is essential to Portland and the Pacific Northwest. I excitedly applied for the position, and couldn’t be happier with where I am today. 

In a few sentences, can you describe your work at the Port?
I work with the Facilities Engineering team, which oversees all things related to buildings, utilities, systems and equipment on Port property. We survey properties and equipment, ensure they're kept in working condition, and retire things out or provide upgrades when needed. I work on a wide variety of projects and tasks: I’ve worked on modeling parts in Solidworks for use in dredging operations, have assisted with other dredging and navigation projects, and am working with the HVAC systems at PDX as PDX Next construction projects continue. When I’m not busy in the field, I’m usually helping my team with research, AutoCAD markups, contract review, technical specs and other day-to-day tasks.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?
This is the most meaningful work I’ve done in my short career. Every project or task that I'm a part of is helping – even if just in the smallest way – to enrich the lives of everyone living in the Pacific Northwest. As a part of Oregon’s Strategic Energy Management program, I'm playing a part to help reduce the Port’s energy consumption. Through our Navigation and dredging operations projects, I'm playing a part to help transition the Port to more sustainable and green energy. 

Not only do these projects have large impacts on the environment around us, they’re also critical to the region’s economy: Without maintaining a dredged navigation channel, large ships could not deliver goods to the area. Although my individual contributions may not amount to much for the region, when combined with all our partners at the Port, there's potential for a massive impact to be felt throughout the Pacific Northwest.

What do you like to do in your free time?
Most of my time outside of work is spent focusing on my studies and various projects. When I do have some free time from school and work, I enjoy working on projects around the house, fixing and maintaining small engines and appliances, playing video games, playing golf and spending time outdoors. 

Our careers website plays with the idea that “We’re not what you’d expect.” What can you share about yourself that might surprise your Port colleagues?
I have been teaching myself Japanese for more than two years now. I had a trip planned out around the time COVID-19 "stay home" orders started and unfortunately had to cancel all my plans. I hope after completing my degree I can pick back up and spend some time traveling and exploring. 

Do you have any other interesting tidbits or anecdotes you'd like to share about yourself or your internship experience? 

Growing up, my first job was as a farrier’s assistant – I assisted a master farrier with trimming and balancing of a horses’ hooves and helped forge new or modify existing horseshoes. Blacksmithing and farrier work helped inspire me to pursue a degree in engineering.