Construction

Internships provide students with invaluable real-world experience that supplements their classroom knowledge. They also can lead to exciting job opportunities.

Samir Mujtaba, a Jacksonville native, is an Architecture Design Associate at The Haskell Company, a global, fully integrated, design-build and EPC firm headquartered in Jacksonville. His passion for design and creating innovative solutions to help improve lives emerged while he was a student at Bartram Trail High School and enrolled in Haskell’s High School Intern Program. He says the experience set the foundation for a successful career in architecture.

“The more you learn, the quicker you can advance,” said Mujtaba.

The High School Intern Program at Haskell is unpaid and offers a curriculum for rising high school seniors to gain architectural, engineering and construction exposure. During their six weeks in Haskell’s headquarters, students work on projects, tour job sites, participate in training through Haskell University and give weekly presentations to Haskell team members. The program started in 2018 with six students, including Mujtaba.

“It was clear to me that I wanted to pursue architecture as a career after my first internship experience at Haskell,” said Mujtaba.

Following his second year at the University of South Florida, Mujtaba transitioned into Haskell’s College Internship Program. The college program is a paid internship and students work on active projects. After his second year of college, Mujtaba transferred to the University of Florida and completed two more summer internships at Haskell before earning a bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 2023. Following graduation, Mujtaba was offered full-time employment at Haskell. He is the first full-time hire that participated in the high school internship program.

“In addition to architecture, I learned about business communications, business etiquette and goal setting in my internships,” said Mujtaba.

Both internship programs have grown extensively since their beginnings and continue to expand even more. In 2023, Haskell employed 89 summer college interns and welcomed 14 high school interns. At Haskell, interns work closely with team members and are given assignments that are critical to the company’s daily operations. Student interns gain job experience that better prepares them for potential full-time positions after graduation. Interns are a vital part of Haskell’s efforts to attract the best possible talent to contribute to creating world-class solutions for clients. Among the students participating in the collegiate program, approximately 90% receive an offer to return or transition to a full-time employee.

Mujtaba is well suited for a career as an architect. He is creative, likes to draw and build, enjoys technology, and is eager to learn. He enjoys working independently on multiple projects and as part of a team. While math skills are important, advanced math is not a prerequisite in this career. During his internships, Mujtaba became certified in AutoCad and proficient in Revit programs. His drive and initiative gave him an edge for future employment. Mujtaba is grateful for the experiences and opportunities Haskell has provided and credits his supervisors for providing valuable advice and mentorship.

“My advice to other students is to start as soon as you can and learn as much as you can,” Mujtaba said. “You’ll stand out and be ahead of everyone else around you.”

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Walker Smith went out-of-state for college but always knew he would find opportunity and success returning to his hometown.

“I went to the University of South Carolina intending to return to Jacksonville after graduation,” said Smith, a Project Associate at Miller Electric Company.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Smith graduated from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business in May 2024. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Sport and Entertainment Management. Smith initially planned to major in sports and entertainment management and selected the University of South Carolina since it is recognized as a top college for its program. During his first semester, he changed his major to business administration.

“I found out that the most successful Sports and Entertainment Management graduates also had a business degree,” Smith said. “However, my internships at Miller Electric made me realize that I wanted to work in construction.”

Miller Electric Company’s internship program is designed to provide college students with a hands-on learning experience in their field of study. Smith completed two summer internships at Miller Electric and also served as an Intern Program Coordinator, where he helped plan and execute the company’s program including orientation and capstone content for 48 interns. Those experiences combined with his appreciation of Miller Electric’s culture that supports connection and collaboration made Smith realize he wanted to transition from intern to full-time employee after graduation.

“I am grateful for all the lessons in leadership I received while interning with Miller and the opportunity to develop my relationship building and leadership skills,” Smith said. “Miller Electric Company’s internship program is an incredible learning experience for everyone.”

His current role as Project Associate is the first phase on the path to becoming a Project Manager. The Project Associate is a client-facing role that requires the ability to build relationships both in and out of the office.

“My role is driven by relationships with customers, vendors and other employees,” Smith said.

Smith enjoys working in Miller Electric’s fast-paced working environment. His role requires the ability to work as part of a team as well as strong computer and communication skills. Smith’s favorite projects are team driven. He says the most rewarding aspect of his work is achieving a desired final result – whether it is a business unit being awarded a bid or seeing the completion of a project.

“Anything where the final result leads to a feel-good moment,” Smith said. “It makes me happy to say, ‘I was able to contribute and help make this happen, benefitting my team long-term.’”

While attending the University of South Carolina, Smith served as a University Ambassador, giving tours to prospective students, families and special groups. Smith encourages others is to get involved in organizations and activities. His advice to both students and young professionals: identify and cultivate your resources.

“Your relationships – your friends, family and colleagues – are your resources,” Smith said. “They will help and support you, so it’s important to nurture them.”

Julian Martinez was 16 and in the 10th grade when he decided to drop out of high school. After a few years of working part time and struggling to make ends meet, Martinez knew he needed to make changes in his life.

“I realized how hard life could get without an education or degree, and not having a skill to fall back on,” said Martinez, who was born and raised in Northeast Florida.

At age 19, Martinez enrolled in the GED preparation course at Clay County Adult & Community Education. The organization provides continuing education courses for adult students within Clay and the surrounding counties. For adults without a high school diploma, earning a GED can help in many ways and lead to other career training programs. After completing the preparation course, Martinez took the exam to earn his GED.

“It took willpower to get the course done,” Martinez said. “But once I earned my GED, doors began to open for me.”

Through his contacts at Clay County Adult & Community Education, Martinez learned about opportunities with the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) Apprenticeship Program. The four-year apprenticeship program offers training while students work full time with their employer and attend school to earn a trade license. Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing and Sheet Metal are the five trades that are being offered to students who have earned a high school diploma or GED. The program is 100% tuition-free. Martinez enrolled in the Electrical Apprenticeship program in June 2023.

“I am ‘shocked’ at how much I have learned so far in less than a year,” Martinez said with a smile.

The Electrical Apprenticeship program trains individuals to become journeymen electricians with electrical classes and on the job training with electrical businesses sponsoring the program. The employers pay the students for their work and education.

As a NEFBA apprentice, Martinez has been given the opportunity to work hands-on beside highly skilled professionals on both commercial and residential job sites. Electricians are responsible for installing, maintaining and repairing electrical power, communications, lighting and control systems for homes and businesses. They are proficient trade workers who embrace problem-solving and troubleshooting, and they are able to confidently face new challenges at every job site.

“I approach every job with an open mind, and I am ready to conquer whatever comes my way,” Martinez said.

Martinez is paid an hourly wage while receiving on-the-job training at T&M Electric, Inc. in Orange Park. The training is supplemented with classroom instruction on site two nights a week. After six months in the program, Martinez received his first raise. Throughout the program, apprentices receive industrial credentials. After graduation, they receive a certificate of completion from the Florida Department of Education which makes them eligible for their journeyman certification.

“After the apprentice program ends, I’ll be on my way to becoming a master electrician,” Martinez said.

Earning a GED and enrolling in the NEFBA Apprenticeship Program has been life-changing for Martinez. He encourages everyone interested in learning new skills and a trade to consider an apprenticeship.

“This program is a great opportunity and useful to anyone who wants to be successful,” Martinez said.