Interns at ZMM Architects and Engineers (ZMM) are gaining real-world experience by working collaboratively with fellow interns and professional staff. The 17 students are seeing their classroom knowledge come to life in projects that benefit communities across the region.
Our interns support operations across the firm in our Charleston, WV, and Blacksburg, VA, offices. The interns represent eight institutions including California Baptist University (CBU), Fairmont State University (FSU), Marshall University, Ohio University (OU), University of Kentucky (UK), University of Tennessee (UT), Virginia Tech (VT) and West Virginia University (WVU).
Caroline Castle, a Charleston, WV, native and student at the UT, was an intern last year after her first year of college and returned this summer. She attributes her internship experience to being more prepared for her return to the classroom.
“It really helped me going back into my next semester and helped me refocus my priorities to become a better designer,” Castle says. “I have learned a lot here that I am not going to learn in school.”
Castle believes interning early in her academic career was very beneficial.
“I feel like it was a really invaluable experience to be able to do it that early,” she says. “It’s so hard to know if you’re going to like architecture from school because it’s so different, especially in the earlier years. It’s so design-heavy and conceptual. To come in and learn a lot about construction and documentation and the functional aspects of the career was really incredible.”
In addition to what she’s learned, Castle shared her appreciation of the supportive environment at ZMM.
“I really like being here,” she says. “I thought a firm would be scary. Everyone is so kind and willing to teach. [They’re] willing to pull you in on things and hear your opinion and experience. Even though I’m young, I feel like I’m valued. It’s what I’ve always wanted in a workplace.”
Castle specifically mentioned the mentorship and support she’s received working with Chris Campbell, architect and project manager at ZMM.
“Chris’ communication with people is something I’ll always remember,” Castle says. “He’s incredible in breaking things down and explaining things. You don’t always get that with professors. It’s really cool to have someone that’s so good at not only doing what they’re doing, but explaining what they’re doing. He has made this experience so valuable.”
Owen Farrier is a two-time intern for ZMM from Blacksburg, VA, who attends VT and shares Castle’s appreciation for the supportive environment at ZMM. His first job was as an intern at ZMM at the age of 17.
“I was really nervous,” Farrier says. “As soon I walked through the door, everybody was willing to help. It felt right.”
Farrier explains that he feels at home at ZMM and appreciates being heard.
“Everyone cared about what I had to say, what I was learning, and what I was doing,” he says. “I had a lot of questions to start. Very quickly, I learned that it didn’t matter what I was asking, everyone was here to help.”
Claire Fulks from Ona, WV, is not new to internship experiences, but this is her first year interning with ZMM. She was nervous, just as Farrier was, but appreciates the support and valuable experience she’s received.
“Everyone has been welcoming and helpful,” Fulks says. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot. It’s the best internship I’ve had by far.”
Fulks has enjoyed working alongside other interns and professional staff.
“I like how they’re taking us places and we get to see more than just the design aspect of architecture,” she says. “We get to see biddings and pre-construction meetings and I’ve been able to be involved.”
Marshall Villers, a student at Marshall from Winfield, WV, also enjoys working on projects.
“They focus me and time seems to fly when I work on them,” Villers says.
Farrier shared that his favorite project so far was the Montgomery County School Bus Garage parking lot.
“It was the first place I got to go,” he says. “It was really cool to see the project through from beginning to end.”
Castle appreciates seeing the work in real life and the process that it takes to get there. She values how the community engages with projects.
“I get to see the things go up and know what’s happening and talk to the community of people that are being affected by these projects,” she says. “That is something that I am really excited about. Going into a school building that this firm has built and seeing the kids’ reactions, hearing from the community and all of the excitement is fulfilling.”
“It’s very exciting for our interns when they can work on projects in the communities where they were raised,” says Adam Krason, architect, accredited learning environment planner and principal at ZMM. “It provides them with an opportunity early in their career to see the positive impact that can be realized through design. Simultaneously, the internships also demonstrate ZMM’s commitment to supporting the educational landscape in the communities we serve.”
Whether a professional is just starting out or they’ve been in their careers for years, ZMM is committed to the advancement of the profession and those working in it.
“We want to provide opportunities to grow and hone our skills, individually and collectively. We are a trusted resource in our field and focused on being the premier architectural and engineering firm in the state. We are dedicated to the development of our team so that we can continue to help our clients and communities build their legacies,” says Krason.
ZMM’s interns are taking the opportunity to be a part of that work early in their career. Many young people in the state, however, aren’t aware of the opportunities in the field that are available to them in their communities.
Castle grew up in West Virginia, but prior to her time at ZMM, she didn’t realize what was possible in architecture here at home. She shared some advice for others who might be interested in the field but are unaware of what is possible.
“For the nerds of the world who are also social, it is the best of the best worlds,” she says. “That’s exactly what I am. I’m a talker, but I love my programming and software. I like talking to people and figuring out problems. Every project is just a puzzle, no matter how big.”
“It has been energizing for all of us to see our interns so interested and involved in projects,” says David Ferguson, architect, recognized educational facility professional and principal at ZMM. “Learning and gaining perspective from each other is at the core of who we are and our interns are an important part of our team. We look forward to working with these rising stars as ZMM continues to grow.”
Our summer 2024 interns are Robert Betz from VT, Preston Cale from UK, Caroline Castle from UT, Hannah Collins from WVU, Sophia Dascoli from UT, Josh Dicken from CBU, Owen Farrier from VT, Claire Fulks from Marshall, Isiah Moncreif from UK, Logan Pierson from FSU, Sarah Riley from UT, Blaise Schray from Marshall, Laci Tankersley from VT, Charlie Taylor from OU, Parker Vance from WVU, Marshall Villers from Marshall and Emily Wilson from VT.
