As summer comes to a close, the interns at Huffines Communities reflect on the past three months of their program. During their time here, they had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects within the multifamily and master-planned community space. Interns played an integral role, in filling gaps in active projects across every domain. After gaining this holistic view of the real estate industry, here’s what they had to say:
Southern Methodist University- Dallas
Academic Year: Incoming Sophomore
Major: Finance and Mathematics
What is your favorite memory from the summer? My favorite memory was attending an amenity construction meeting for Solterra before touring the near-complete Inspiration amenity center. It was fascinating to hear about and then see every detail and decision, from where to place the conduit lines to making the concrete 6 inches thick for an 8-foot-wide trail. Although some of the meeting topics seemed very minute and even insignificant at first, I later noticed these details during the tour and realized how everything matters.
What is your best piece of advice for future interns? My best piece of advice to future interns would be to focus exceptionally on the little things. Always make the extra effort to create an email that is easy to read or to ensure a building layout change closely resembles the final product. By going the extra mile, you not only bring more value and build more trust within the company, but these habits will also improve other aspects of your life. It doesn’t take much, but over time the difference between you and your peers will be night and day.
What is the most interesting thing you learned this summer? The most interesting thing I learned this summer was how much impact developers have on cities. Governments can reimburse builders through MUD and PID loans to an extent, but it’s up to developers to make the deal feasible, comply with regulations, market the property, and handle nearly everything else. This gave me a new perspective on the world and highlighted the necessity for developers in the years to come.
Academic Year: Incoming Junior
Majors: Finance and Accounting
What is your favorite memory from the summer? One of my favorite memories from this summer was visiting Solterra with Edward and the other interns. Seeing the plans from PM meetings come to life in the actual construction of the site made my work feel a lot more tangible. I could see the direct impact of my efforts and made me more invested in the community we were building.
What is your best piece of advice for future interns? Your experience at Huffines is what you make of it. Be proactive in seeking new tasks, especially in areas that interest you, and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
What is the most interesting thing you learned this summer? Learning more about the financials of development firms, particularly how they finance master-planned communities through PID/MUD reimbursements and their approach to proper budgeting.
The University of Oklahoma- Oklahoma
Academic Year: Incoming Junior
Major: Finance
Minor: Accounting
What is your favorite memory from the summer? My favorite memory from my internship this summer was touring the communities developed by Huffines. It was impressive to witness the extensive planning, dedication, and effort required to create such high-quality, master-planned communities.
What is your best piece of advice for future interns? My best advice to future interns is to not hesitate to ask questions and to be an active learner. Nurture your curiosity and strive to understand all aspects of the real estate development process, as this will significantly enhance your knowledge. Additionally, be a hardworking and dedicated individual, and you will see results.
What is the most interesting thing you learned this summer? The most interesting thing I learned this summer is the complexity of the real estate development process. I gained insight into the numerous factors involved in developing a master-planned community, including extensive planning, coordination, and attention to detail. This experience showed me how much careful planning and attention to detail are needed to make these projects happen.
University of Arkansas – Arkansas
Academic Year: Incoming Senior
Major: Business Marketing
Minor: Business Management
What is your favorite memory from the summer? My favorite memory from interning at Huffines Communities was on my first day when I got to be a part of the sales and marketing builder team meeting. It was an incredibly insightful experience to see everyone come together and use data and analytics to develop the best marketing strategies for the Solterra community. Not only did I learn so much on my first day, but I also felt welcomed and valued as part of the team. The collaboration and passion in the room were truly inspiring, and it set the tone for an amazing internship experience.
What is your best piece of advice for future interns? My best piece of advice for future interns is to immerse yourself fully in every opportunity. Take initiative and volunteer for projects that interest you, even if they are outside your initial scope of work. The more you involve yourself, the more you will learn and grow. Networking with your colleagues and learning about their roles can provide a broader understanding of the industry and help you build valuable connections for your future career.
What is the most interesting thing you learned this summer? The most interesting thing I learned this summer is the intricate details involved in building master-planned communities. I gained a deep appreciation for just how much goes into the process, from the initial planning stages to the final touches. It takes an incredible amount of coordination, dedication, and expertise to create a long-lasting, beautiful, and functional community for people to love and enjoy. This experience has truly broadened my understanding of real estate development and the impact it has on creating vibrant neighborhoods.
University of Texas- Austin
Academic Year: Incoming Sophomore
Major: Canfield Business Honors and Finance
What is your favorite memory from the summer? Visiting Heritage Towers (282-unit multifamily asset) with Haley, our Director of Multifamily. From learning more about each apartment unit layout to the stamped concrete in the pavilion, I had a great time exploring Heritage Towers!
What is your best piece of advice for future interns? Always communicate. Keep the PMs and other interns on your team updated and communicate when you’re looking for more work to learn from.
What is the most interesting thing you learned this summer? Huffines Communities considers so many small details that I could have never thought of on my own. For example, that the torque of a turning garbage truck can ruin paved road at an apartment site within 5 years. Or, the impact of city zoning laws and retail square-footage requirements on land development projects.
