Luke West (Left) and Garrett Hess (Right)
As spring comes to a close, the interns at Huffines Communities are reflecting on the past four months and the experience they’ve gained. Throughout the program, they contributed to a variety of projects across multifamily and master-planned communities, supporting teams in project management, financial analysis, operations, and marketing. From reviewing engineering plans and budgets to assisting with contracts, tracking financials, and creating digital content, interns developed a well-rounded understanding of the real estate development process. With a stronger foundation in the industry, here’s what they had to say about their time here:
Garrett Hess, Spring 2026 Intern
What is your favorite memory from this spring?
My favorite memory this spring was attending on-site project meetings. Witnessing projects progress from dirt to delivery provided perspective that goes far beyond the spreadsheets. The scope and intricate details that go into each development are immense; timing and consistency are everything.
What is your best piece of advice for future interns?
Be willing to get your hands on every part of the business. Strong communication skills, genuine desire to learn, and drive are essentrial for building and maintaining relationships in a new workplace. Your goal as an intern should be to touch as many sides of the business as possible, allowing you to differentiate yourself.
What is the most interesting thing you learned this semester?
While there have been many fascinating aspects to explore, what struck me most was observing how coordination takes place between departments. From construction to project management to finance and accounting. Everyone must row in the same direction for land development to succeed.
I also found it extremely valuable to witness the pride taken in each project. There’s a clear sense of ownership in what we develop here with a long-term vision on leaving things better than we found.
Luke West, Spring 2026 Intern
What is your favorite memory from this spring?
My favorite memory from this spring was the company-wide crawfish boil. This allowed me the chance to engage with everyone in a context outside of work and have conversations that went beyond our usual day-to-day projects.
What is your best piece of advice for future interns?
The best advice I can offer is to stay flexible and remain curious about every facet of the business. You’ll have opportunities to learn everything from marketing and land development to the financial side and perhaps even how to read a set of plans. Even if a particular task doesn’t align with your primary interest, take the time to master it. You never know when that knowledge will open an unexpected door.
What is the most interesting thing you learned this semester?
I think the most interesting thing I learned during this semester was how to read plans. Going into it, I thought it would be straightforward, just looking at lines and reading measurements on paper. But I quicly realized there’s so much more depth to interpreting blueprints and technical drawings. Now that I can visualize how a project comes together from the ground up, I have a whole new appreciation for the complexity involved.