The following guest post was written by Lisa Hall, our Employee Development and Program Manager, about our 2021 Intern Symposium.
This week our 16 Interns traveled to Florida and spent time at our Field Support Office during the annual Intern Symposium. These Interns are from university programs around the country including Clemson University, Houston Community College, Michigan State University, North Carolina State, Northern Arizona University, Penn State, Sam Houston State, Southern Illinois State University, Stephen F Austin University, and the University of Florida. Their work experiences during the 12-week program include Landscape Management, Landscape Construction, and Arbor Care.
It also included a panel discussion and Q&A session with former interns, who have graduated and are now Yellowstone employees. The Sales and Marketing team also came through with a lively presentation exposing them to a different aspect of our business. Early Monday morning the group completed a community service project by weeding and prepping one of our local elementary school’s gardens for the summer break.
It wasn't all work though while they were with us. On Sunday, despite some very soggy conditions they jumped on a schooner in St. Augustine and took a ride up and down the Intracoastal waterway. And on Monday evening had dinner in Flagler Beach where several of them who have never seen the ocean, dipped their toes in the Atlantic! Before they left to return to their home branch on Tuesday afternoon, they visited a local eatery on the river and toured one of our premier properties.
It was a fun and successful event and gave each Intern an opportunity to network and establish new connections in the industry. We look forward to watching them develop professionally during their time with us and joining us after graduation as a member of the Yellowstone Landscape family!