Meet CPI’s College Intern: Braedyn on Learning, Lean, and Jumpstarting a Career
By Mo Lee-Johnson
Each summer the Port of Seattle is excited to welcome bright, motivated college interns who bring fresh energy and new perspective to our work. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement—not just in processes, but in people—we love learning what drives our interns and what they hope to gain from their experience working at the Port.
I sat down with Braedyn Reed (she/her), a recent graduate of the University of Washington, to hear more about her background, why she chose this internship, and what she is looking forward to as she explores Lean principles in action.
Getting to know Braedyn
1. Can you tell us about yourself and your background—where you’re from, your major, and what drew you to that field of study?
I grew up as a military kid, moving around frequently but primarily growing up in North Carolina, Maryland, and Hawai’i. I think this exposure to diverse places and ways of life inspired a drive for exploration in me that followed me into college, where I changed my major four times, exploring a variety of disciplines before landing in Community, Environment, and Planning, which is what the UW calls their undergraduate urban planning program. I appreciated the interdisciplinarity of the program and found myself drawn to a variety of niches within the broad academic scope, such as shared governance, community development, and social entrepreneurship.
2. What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I am really into exploring music! I curate monthly playlists comprised of songs I recently discovered. It is so much fun to find songs I enjoy and discover new sounds and perspectives.
Internship Motivation
3. What made you apply for this internship position, and what stood out to you about our company?
As I navigated professional life post-graduation, it was important to me that my employing organization centered on public service. While at a career fair on campus, I noticed the Port and went to chat more with them. I didn’t expect there to be any opportunities in organizational development or strategy—the type of work I was really interested in pursuing. This internship called out to me specifically: I had been practicing aspects of CPI in my activities, but never fully dove into it. I couldn’t resist the chance to learn more about this impactful philosophy and how real-world, large-scale organizations like the Port were applying it.
4. How does this internship connect with your long-term academic or career goals?
My academics gave me a base for understanding how urban centers function, and local government institutions like the Port are major cornerstones of creating urban vitality. As I progressed through my college career, I became increasingly fascinated by how people work together to solve complex problems; I studied organizational change, public governance, and leadership—going on to earn a minor, certificate, and awards in leadership in conjunction with my various leadership roles on and off campus. I gained a love for systems thinking: a crucial aspect of implementing CPI. This internship is a powerful step towards my career aspiration of leading the public institutions of the future: ones that are more sustainable, equitable, efficient, and human-centric.
5. What was your first impression of our team and work culture?
My first impression was pretty positive! Everyone was so friendly and approachable, seemed to care deeply about their work, and felt comfortable and accepted by the rest of the team. This sense of openness and passion for helping others made me feel right at home!
Learning and Growth
6. What Lean principles or continuous improvement concepts are you most excited to explore during your internship?
I’m curious to understand waste better. It certainly has a negative, potentially critical connotation, but process waste truly does impact the quality of our work and lives. If there is room for improving the quality of life, I’m always on board!
7. Is there a particular project or challenge you’re especially looking forward to working on?
I’m open to any project, but I am hoping to work on a challenge that truly makes people’s daily work easier or inspires others to take initiative and apply CPI principles in their lives.
8. What skills—technical, interpersonal, or professional—are you hoping to strengthen while you’re with us?
I’m always seeking to improve my communication skills—writing is one I’d like to practice further. Exploring unfamiliar disciplines and professions within the organization—building cross-silo partnerships—is also a key area for me.
9. Have you had any “aha” moments so far, or something unexpected you’ve already learned?
The Port is much bigger and more complex than I had anticipated. Branching out from our office, it seems the complexity of the work trickles all the way down to the individual-level on each team.
Closing Reflection
10. What advice would you give to another student or Port employee thinking about applying for an internship like this one?
My advice is to focus on strengthening your soft skills. Interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, public speaking, and empathy go a long way in helping you land and be successful in a job.
Conclusion
It’s always inspiring to see the passion and curiosity our interns bring to the table. At its core, CPI and Lean are about continuous learning and improvement. Clearly, Braedyn is walking the talk. Thoughtful and well spoken, Braedyn’s energy is naturally commanding; and ever since the first day I met her, she’s been eager to learn.
Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, and behind-the-scenes stories from our team and others around the Port that are putting Lean principles into action every day.
