What drew you to Hoyle Tanner?
When I first started looking for an internship, I honestly had no idea what I was looking for. I applied to the Construction Management internship position at Hoyle Tanner because of the responsibilities and requirements closely aligned with my coursework at Southern New Hampshire University. When I heard back from them, I decided to go through the interview process to get a feel for the company, and that’s when I first met my supervisor, Laura.
From the very beginning, Laura’s enthusiasm helped ease the nervousness I felt going into the interview. She was genuinely interested in learning about my background in construction, and even shared her own journey, how she entered the field and eventually found her way to Hoyle Tanner. Her supportive and encouraging words played a huge role in helping me decide to accept the position, and I can positively say that I made the right decision.
What’s a lesson you’ve learned from a colleague or what’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?
During my internship I have learned so much not just about construction management, but also about myself and the type of work that brings me pride and joy.
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned came from Laura during one of my first visits to the Brighton Site. I had never been on a construction site before, and I felt completely out of place. I found myself shying away from conversations and feeling uncomfortable in the new environment.
But Laura was right there the whole time, encouraging me and giving me the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone. She pushed me to interact with people on site, from laborers and truck drivers to the superintendent. To my surprise, everyone was incredibly friendly and eager to explain what they were working on. Their openness made me feel much more comfortable, despite my lack of experience.
The biggest takeaway from that experience is this: Allow yourself to be uncomfortable and seek out those with more experience. Often, people are happy to share their knowledge and stories with you. You just have to be willing to ask and be open to learning.
