From Intern to Full-Time: Our Early Careers Program

As my own internship ends, I asked several Southland employees who transitioned from intern to full-time to share insights about their internship experiences. 

Every summer, Southland hires young, motivated, and dedicated interns across our teams, including design and project engineering, safety, energy, and more. Internships are two-fold: they give college students the chance to explore companies from the inside while allowing organizations to invest in future talent. 

Job-readiness: How hands-on experiences lead to real-world knowledge  

Our internship program provides hands-on learning that builds technical skills essential for success in their careers. 

Ian Kelley, Design Engineer I, shared, "Interns don't just shadow — they actively contribute to real project work alongside the team. By the time the internship ends, you're job-ready and could step into a full-time role the very next day." 

Our early careers program gives students exposure to active jobsites and real opportunities to contribute to flagship projects — providing a sense of what it's like to work in the industry. 

"I truly worked as a new hire project engineer to get the full experience of what working for Southland and on a construction site would be like," said Garret Eisenbrandt, Project Manager. 

Along the way, interns gain experience in collaboration, time management, and problem-solving, all of which support a seamless transition into a full-time role. 

Conversion: From intern to full-time 

Learning and growing in a real-world environment allows students to accomplish meaningful goals and gain valuable knowledge. As they build confidence and develop their skills, many aim to transition from intern to full-time. 

Paige Phillips, Project Engineer II, emphasized how trust and support have shaped her career path. 

"The people here truly have your back, and the resources for growth and learning are endless. Leadership is intentional about identifying the right next steps for each employee and exposing us to different facets of the company, ensuring a well-rounded and fulfilling career path."  

Mentorship and a willingness to learn create the foundation for a successful transition from intern to full-time. At Southland, those relationships often extend well beyond the summer. 

Mentorship: Improving work environments through supportive teams 

Strong mentorship helps define the culture of our early careers program. For Ian, the support he received from his manager and team made a lasting impact: "My mentor spent time daily to check in on questions I may have and spend time to answer all of my questions with deep, technical responses."  

The mentor-intern relationship is built on constant communication, shared knowledge, and guidance. Mentorship also means being encouraged to keep asking questions. 

Emily Blake, Engineer II, added some advice for interns: "Ask questions! I have found that the more you are willing to learn, the more someone is willing to teach you."  

Growth and development go beyond investing in our people — they also mean strengthening our early careers program. 

Investment: Building the next generation of professionals  

Continued development and contributions to early careers programs foster an environment of collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement that benefits both the individuals and the company. 

"I have seen Southland invest in early careers by continually improving the internship experience every year and hiring interns for full-time positions once they graduate," Emily shared.  

Showcasing how Southland continues to expand its internship program year after year, Jake Matthewson, Project Executive, reflected, "Our internship program is the foundation for long-term success in our industry.  We invest early — through training and development of our people."  

Early careers opportunities support long-term career growth and success, benefitting not only the interns who participate, but the organizations that invest in them.