McNeese Junior Interns with LyondellBasell 

McNeese State University junior, Anthony Mayo, interned this summer at LyondellBasell in Westlake.  

Mayo, a chemical engineering major also from Westlake, was able to make many valuable connections throughout his participation at the company.  

“The most important thing I have learned is how much you need a classroom setting even though it’s different from being in the field,” he expressed.  

Mayo, is grateful for the experience he has gained because he will be able to recall certain situations and their procedures as a future employee.  

“The classroom has given me an entry level understanding of the processes that happen in the plant,” he said. “I used that knowledge to go more in depth on what I can do to improve or be more efficient.” 

In the internship, Mayo was able to understand the inner work of each unit in the plant on a deeper level than what he gained through classwork.  

“I chose McNeese because of the industry connections. You can easily meet employers and have frequent conversations with them,” he explained.  

Mayo chose chemical engineering because he gets to apply skills like chemistry, physics and math to solve problems that arise every day and plans to finish his bachelor’s degree and get hired in the polymer or refinery industry. 

Mayo plans to finish his bachelor’s degree and get hired in the polymer or refinery industry.  

“I would suggest the future engineers attend meetings or career fairs where employees from the surrounding industry come and talk,” he said. “Ask questions or just show your face- these small things get you in the door for a second conversation or even an interview.”