From collaborating with supportive teams to growing both personally and professionally, each Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) internship experience is unique, but the impact is shared. As the summer of 2026 comes to a close, we asked our interns to reflect on their time at GMC and share the lessons they’ll carry with them into the future.
One of the most valuable parts of any internship is the people you work alongside every day. Whether it’s learning from experienced mentors, collaborating with teammates or simply enjoying the office culture, our interns found that the relationships they built made a lasting impression and helped shape their overall experience at GMC.
Andrew Sarphie | Augusta Landscape
My favorite part is that everyone here is always willing to take a minute to explain something I don’t understand, even when they’re busy. There’s also a social atmosphere at the office that makes the workday more enjoyable.
Hayden Yeargan | Birmingham Healthcare Architecture
My favorite part of working with the team was how intentional every meeting was and how everyone was always willing to support one another! I always felt encouraged, valued, and like everyone was truly on the same side!
Christian Evangelista | Auburn Architecture
My favorite part about working with the team here in Auburn is just how accessible and available they are. They have built such a solid, well rounded group of people who are all immensely talented and resourceful. On top of this, they are always willing to help out the brainless intern (me) and drop whatever they are doing to do so. I have gained so much wisdom and insight and have never been afraid to ask a dumb question. It is truly like working with a TEAM.
Riley Swearer | Columbia Architecture
The bond that we all share. We feel like a family and it makes collaboration fairly easy and natural. The constant engagement within the team truly brings us together.
Kiara Mercedes | Tampa Architecture
My favorite part of working with my team is how open everyone is to sharing their knowledge and experience. Since starting my internship, I’ve never felt hesitant to ask questions because everyone has been approachable and willing to explain not just how to do something, but also why it’s done that way. I have learned from seeing how each person approaches design differently. Every project brings a new perspective, and it’s been interesting to learn from the different ideas, workflows, and problem solving styles within the team. It’s created an environment where I’m constantly learning and improving.
Vincent Zheng | Savannah Architecture
I really enjoy everyone’s personalities and the fun atmosphere they bring to the office every day. Everyone is easy to talk to, and it makes coming to work something I look forward to.
An internship is an opportunity to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. Throughout the summer, our interns gained a deeper understanding of the architecture and engineering industry while strengthening technical skills and learning how collaboration, creativity and problem-solving come together on real projects.
Anna Willard | Huntsville Architecture
In design, there is always something new to learn or understand. There is never pressure to have everything perfectly figured out, and that’s the beauty of collaboration and different perspectives.
Carter Grout | Birmingham Environmental
During my internship, I have developed my GIS skills in both a field and office setting.
After spending the summer learning, growing and gaining real-world experience, our interns had plenty of advice for those who will follow in their footsteps. Their biggest takeaway? Stay curious, ask questions and make the most of every opportunity to learn.
Ella Owen | Mobile Coastal Engineering
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take the lead! If you think a project is interesting, ask how you can help and how you can get involved! People around you may not know that you don’t understand something (and that’s okay!), so make sure to ask for definitions and clarity!
Joshua Rhoads | Birmingham Transportation
Do not be afraid to ask questions and write down everything. You never know when it might come in handy later.
Jameson Nguyen | Nashville Engineering
I would say don’t feel bad if you don’t understand everything going on, because the point of your internship is to learn about those things. So, ask as many questions as needed and don’t be afraid to ask your coworkers for help in fear of looking dumb. They’ve been in your position before and are more than likely willing to stop their work to help.
Jackson Wannamaker | Montgomery Engineering
Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something. During my internship I learned that you will not be able to figure out everything by yourself, and that it is important to ask questions to get a better understanding of what you are doing. Asking questions was a key part of learning while on the job for me, and I have learned so much about engineering in general simply because I asked questions.
Megan Griffith | Tampa Architecture
Don’t stress too much about trying to do a good job. Excellence comes from experience, and patience with the learning process! Make a decision every single day to learn something, and have fun while doing it!
While each intern’s experience was unique, one thing was clear throughout the summer: growth happens when you’re surrounded by people who are willing to teach, encourage and challenge you. Thank you to our interns for choosing to spend their summer with GMC, and to our employees who invested their time and knowledge in the next generation. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of them.
