Charleston Intern Uses Creativity and Team Work to Get the Job Done!

The following guest post was written by Noah, about his internship experience with us this summer.

As a Horticulture student at Clemson University with experience in turfgrass management, I learned of the Yellowstone Landscape Internship Program through a fellow student who interned with the company last summer. After some quick research of the company, I realized that I had met Charleston Branch Manager, Remington Phillips and Landscape Construction Manager, Cory Hendrix at the Carolinas GCSA Conference back in 2019 and really liked what I heard about their branch and the company. I was amazed at the caliber and overall size of the company and what they had to offer. I applied and within few days I met with the Internship Program Coordinator, to discuss my application and was immediately intrigued. I knew that I wanted to give commercial landscape a shot and I wouldn’t have wanted to join any other company! I was excited to expand my knowledge of the green industry, especially in a place like Charleston.

During my time with Yellowstone Landscape, I have been in a steady rotation between the chemical and irrigation division.  With the chemical division, I have learned so much regarding the chemicals being applied and their uses. I also learned the timing of applications and the process that occurs to spray different properties, small and large.  With the irrigation crew, I got to get my hands dirty, a lot!  I learned about multiple systems, how to do an audit, and how to run clocks.  I really enjoyed the opportunity to get creative and come up with solutions for different situations.  I also had the opportunity to shadow several Account Managers and work with landscape installation, and arbor care.  I learned from each division, but my favorite job was an enhancement on Daniel Island.  The four Charleston Interns, including myself, were sent to a house to install PVC and corrugated pipe to connect drains to mainlines.  We also installed a French drain down the side of the house to the sidewalk.  The job itself was straightforward, but we ran into many obstacles throughout the day.  No matter how difficult and frustrating the project got, we managed to push through, working as a team, and using our critical thinking skills to complete the job with precision.  I enjoyed being fully responsible and felt a great sense of accomplishment!

Interning with Yellowstone Landscape has been a priceless experience and I have learned so much about running a successful commercial landscaping business.  I appreciate the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s best including Billy Bennett, Virgil Albers, George Eglian, Dawn Johnson, and Todd Knight.  I cannot thank them enough for what they have taught me and I’m excited to apply these experiences to my career after I graduate!