This summer has been bustling with activity across all our offices and we are grateful for our inspiring team of interns who joined the hustle! Every summer, we recruit and invite interns to spend their summer learning alongside supervisors and mentors at FGMA. They each make a unique, meaningful contribution to our team.
To our interns: thank you for choosing to bring your dedication and drive to work every day. We know you have bright futures ahead and we hope to cross paths again soon!
Summer Interns Share Their Experiences
Get to know the Class of 2024 Interns and learn more about their takeaways from their internships:
Camille Lyles
School Attending: Virginia Tech
Major/Program of Study: Bachelor of Architecture
FGMA Office Where You Interned: Reston, Virginia
What projects did you work on this summer with FGMA?
St. Davids Episcopal Church Feasibility Analysis, Sterling Park Baptist Church, Glencoe Golf Club's New Clubhouse, AI Research
What surprised you during your internship?
The thing that surprised me most during my internship was the getting the opportunity to lead the development of the “How To: PromeAI” user guide and project workflow.
What was the best part of your internship?
The best part of my internship was being able to work on a diverse range of project types and getting more technical drawing experience.
Who in the office made the most impact to your internship? Why?
I worked one on one with Mike Seppala this summer and he was very helpful in explaining and teaching the tasks we were set to do, specifically details for the new Glencoe Golf Clubhouse project.
How do you see FGMA living its truth of “We Build Community”?
I see this in the projects FGMA works on such as through churches and fire stations, but also community engagements events like the Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta.
Your go-to coffee drink:
Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso (w/cinnamon cold foam)
Declan Curry
School Attending: University of Oregon
Major/Program of Study: Architecture
FGMA Office Where You Interned: Oak Brook, Illinois
What projects did you work on this summer with FGMA?
South Elgin Fire Protection District, Roselle Park District Kemmerling Pool Splash Pad, West Dundee Police and Fire Departments, Village of Lisle Hall Office Renovations, Bristol Kendall Fire Protection District Stations No 2 & 3, Sycamore Fire Department New Fire Station No. 1.
What surprised you during your internship?
I was surprised to learn that FGMA has a lot of projects that are pretty small in scope.
What was the best part of your internship?
The best part of my internship was when I was able to visit the South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District, which I spent time working on this summer.
Who in the office made the most impact to your internship?
Andrea Fowler had the most impact on my internship. I was always able to ask her questions when I was confused about certain things and she offered to help me unprompted.
How do you see FGMA living its truth of "We Build Community"?
I think that FGMA does a commendable job externally and internally focusing on community. All of my projects have had aspects and spaces that were focused on improving community interaction. I think that it is also clear that people in this firm are able to reliably depend on each other, which is a key part of community to me.
Your go-to coffee drink:
Ice vanilla latte, blond roast
Katie Stiers
School Attending: The University of Texas at Austin
Major/Program of Study: Bachelor of Architecture
FGMA Office Where You Interned: Austin, Texas
What projects did you work on this summer with FGMA?
Pflugerville Recreation Center, Austin Independent School District's Houston Elementary School Modernization and Langford Elementary School Modernization, Lake Travis Independent School District projects and the Waubonsee Community College AIA Award Submittal.
What surprised you during your internship?
The amount of time and effort that design teams put in for just a single project, while working on several other projects. Collaboration is very crucial in order for deadlines to be met and for the team to stay on the same page.
What was the best part of your internship?
The best part would be the hands-on experience of working on real projects with a design team, learning about the field in a professional setting, and getting the opportunity to visit sites and client meetings to see each aspect of the field.
Who in the office made the most impact to your internship? Why?
Jaime Palomo, my managing director, was the person who gave me this rewarding opportunity to be a part of the Austin office. He always checked in with me and scheduled me in for meetings and site visits. He believed in me since day one at my university’s career fair and has supported my efforts throughout my time here. In terms of projects, I would say Susan Barr and Josseph Duran guided me the most with project tasks and learning more about the design field.
How do you see FGMA living its truth of “We Build Community”?
FGMA has a very supportive work environment with several committees for employee inclusion and resources, social events like happy hours, and all around warm and welcoming people who are happy to help out. Collaboration is key to the firm and demonstrates the firm’s success and positive culture.
Your go-to coffee drink:
Iced caramel latte
Sumaya Shaik
School Attending: University of Houston – Clear Lake
Major/Program of Study: Psychology, with a special interest in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
FGMA Office Where You Interned: Remote
What projects did you work on this summer with FGMA?
1) Resume screening, 2) Job Postings, 3) Learning the functions of HRIS (Human Resource Information System) and CRM (Customer Relations Management) systems, 4) Assigning trainings through the LMS (Learning Management System)
What surprised you during your internship?
During my internship, I was pleasantly surprised by the organization’s deep commitment to the internship program. The employees went above and beyond by offering comprehensive training and sharing insights into the many branches of the organization. Their support and inclusiveness made me feel like a valued team member rather than just an intern, which greatly enhanced my experience.
What was the best part of your internship?
The best part of my internship was the hands-on experience and the knowledge I gained while completing various HR tasks. I learned about different HR systems and their functions. Additionally, being exposed to multiple facets of HR has given me a clearer understanding of the field and will significantly aid me in deciding my future career path.
Who in the office made the most impact to your internship? Why?
Many people contributed to my successful internship experience, but Elizabeth Wojtowicz made the most significant impact. As my supervisor, mentor, and guide, she was someone I could trust with any questions or concerns, whether they related to learning specific tasks or seeking advice on pursuing my career goals. Her support and guidance were invaluable throughout the internship.
How do you see FGMA living its truth of “We Build Community”?
I see FGMA truly living up to its motto, "We Build Community," through its strong values and commitment demonstrated in every project. The company’s dedication to environmental sustainability and its meticulous attention to detail ensure that each project not only meets but enhances the needs of the community. This deep care for both the environment and the people it serves reflects FGMA's commitment to building and strengthening communities.
Your go-to coffee drink:
I don’t drink coffee. My go-to drinks are vanilla, mango, or Oreo milkshakes.
Arlin Bonfiglio
School Attending: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Major/Program of Study: Architecture
FGMA Office Where You Interned: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What projects did you work on this summer with FGMA?
Slinger Police Department project, Glencoe Golf Club's New Clubhouse and AIA Award Submissions
What surprised you during your internship?
What surprised me was the amount of coordination between not only architects, but also the consultants and clients in order to get the project built.
What was the best part of your internship?
The best part about my internship was that I was able to learn the more technical detailed side of architecture, while getting to do renders, diagrams and other graphics that I also enjoy.
Who in the office made the most impact to your internship? Why?
Josh Lawrence: he was nice enough to answer my Revit questions, even if it was the fifth time I asked.
How do you see FGMA living its truth of “We Build Community”?
FGMA really does value their clients, but they value their employees just as much. I felt supported by upper management as well as my peers.
Your go-to coffee drink:
Mint Mocha
Brady Monahan
School Attending: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Major/Program of Study: Architecture Major/Business Minor
FGMA Office Where You Interned: Oak Brook, Illinois
What projects did you work on this summer with FGMA?
I worked on Our Lady of the Visitation Youth Center and the Oak Brook Office's Samples Library and Office Move Preparation
What surprised you during your internship?
What surprised me most was how much my professional skills improved. I thought I already could communicate and collaborate well with others, but in this internship experience, they were being tested every day and that really helped me grow those skills.
What was the best part of your internship?
The best part of the internship was definitely the live internship training meetings that taught a lot about specific areas of focus. The business and campus-to-career meetings were most beneficial. The golf outing was a pretty special highlight, too!
Who in the office made the most impact to your internship? Why?
It is tough to choose just one, but the person who made the biggest impact on my internship experience was Andy Jasek. If it wasn’t for knowing him and talking to him at our college’s career fair, I wouldn’t have this opportunity. I am so thankful of him for offering this opportunity that a lot of my classmates did not have.
How do you see FGMA living its truth of “We Build Community”?
I felt FGMA demonstrated “We Build Community” through the treatment of the new interns and how we felt invited. Jennifer Slivka did a great job at connecting us with a multitude of resources and people to go to with our questions and this built that sense of community for us.
Your go-to coffee drink:
I don’t drink coffee but the drink of choice in the office was Dr. Pepper.
Interested in pursuing an internship at one of our FGMA offices?
Reach out to careers@fgmarchitects.com to learn more.
Jade Jewels style in ring design exemplifies elegance and timeless beauty. Featuring the lush, green hues of jade, these rings offer a touch of sophistication and natural charm. The intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail enhance the jade's allure, making each piece a unique statement. For those interested in exploring a wide range of jade jewelry, visit https://wholesalejewelryusa.com/products/gemstone-jewelry/ for an extensive selection.