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A Summer of Learning: Reflections from Our 2026 Interns
At M2 Group, we believe the best way to develop the next generation of professionals is to put them to work on real projects with experienced mentors. This summer, that’s exactly what we did with Kaden Stanley, Charlie Duckworth, Kylee Hitchcock, and Jake Bryant. They contributed to active projects, collaborated across disciplines, and experienced firsthand how each piece of the land development process connects to the bigger picture.
Before heading back to school, we asked them to reflect on the projects that challenged them, the lessons that left a lasting impression, and what they’ll carry into their careers. Here’s what they had to say.
Kaden Stanley
Auburn University
Civil Engineering Major
Class of 2027
Looking back on your internship, what project or experience had the biggest impact on your growth, and why?
Working on the final phases of Stream Valley, a residential subdivision, had the biggest impact on my growth. I had the opportunity to work through an entire phase of the project, which let me focus on different aspects of site design and better understand how they connect. It gave me a more complete understanding of how to think through a project rather than only seeing individual pieces of the process.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your internship, and what did it teach you about yourself or your work?
Learning how to use some of the higher-level programs within computer-aided design was challenging. However, this taught me to use my resources to solve problems and ask the right questions. Reasoning through problems before asking for help also made the lessons I learned more useful and memorable.
What is one lesson or skill you will take with you into your future career, and how do you think it will shape the way you work?
How important it is to be extremely detailed and specific. The work we do has to be completely understood by those using our plans for grading, drainage, utilities, infrastructure, and more. Our work is the base of construction projects. Even though it may seem obvious, that is one thing that really stood out to me this summer. The ability to convey my thoughts and work to others is something I will keep building on and carry with me throughout my career.
What was your favorite part of being an intern at M2 Group, and what made that experience memorable?
My favorite part was the people I had the opportunity to work with. They always helped with any questions or problems I had and gave me the opportunity, as an intern, to work on real projects and contribute to the company. M2 Group has a great culture, and I’m happy I’ve been able to work here for two summers!
Charlie Duckworth
Clemson University
Civil Engineering Major
Class of 2027
Looking back on your internship, what project or experience had the biggest impact on your growth, and why?
Experiencing how projects develop over time had the biggest impact on my growth. I learned what to look for in the early stages, how municipal codes impact projects, and how different pieces of the process come together.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your internship, and what did it teach you about yourself or your work?
Working with tools I had no experience with, such as Hydraflow Express and Pipe Networks, challenged me and taught me to keep pushing myself to develop new skills.
What is one lesson or skill you will take with you into your future career, and how do you think it will shape the way you work?
Never shy away from asking questions or sharing ideas. At M2 Group, those questions were always met with a thoughtful answer. From my own discussions and the larger discussions between engineers on staff, I learned how beneficial collaboration and discussion are as an engineer.
What was your favorite part of being an intern at M2 Group, and what made that experience memorable?
I loved both the work environment and the variety of projects I got to work on. I looked forward to coming into work each day because I knew I was working with a team that cared about one another and wanted each other to succeed. Experiencing a team like that will stick with me forever.
Kylee Hitchcock
Tennessee Tech University
Civil Engineering Major
Class of 2029
Looking back on your internship, what project or experience had the biggest impact on your growth, and why?
The greatest impact on my growth this summer was the wide variety of work I completed in Civil 3D. Before this summer, I had never used the software, so being introduced to it on the first day pushed me to learn quickly. This not only strengthened my technical skills but also boosted my confidence in utilizing new tools and tackling unfamiliar tasks.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your internship, and what did it teach you about yourself or your work?
Stepping out of my comfort zone to create conceptual designs was challenging. As an intern, it can feel intimidating to take initiative on design work. Still, the civil engineers at M2 Group encouraged me to try, supported my ideas, and were always available when I had questions. This experience taught me that growth happens when you try new things and trust yourself. It also emphasized the importance of a supportive team willing to help when you ask.
What is one lesson or skill you will take with you into your future career, and how do you think it will shape the way you work?
Asking questions was my most valuable takeaway this summer. From day one, the engineers encouraged me to ask questions. I found that even the simplest questions gave me new insights into a project or task that helped me do my job more effectively.
I wasn’t the only one asking questions. The engineers constantly discussed ideas and asked questions. It reinforced the idea that civil engineering is a collaborative field and that seeking other perspectives or clarification is a strength, not a weakness. I will keep this mindset going forward, both in school and in the workplace.
What was your favorite part of being an intern at M2 Group, and what made that experience memorable?
The intentionality M2 Group took in structuring the program stood out. From biweekly lunch-and-learns to site visits with leadership, we learned much more than just the work itself. We learned who the company is, how previous experiences shaped each engineer and project manager, and even what sorts of challenges you face in this industry.
We worked on real projects, discovering real problems, and seeing results through to completion. This summer was the perfect introduction to the world of land development and site design. I’m excited to keep learning and growing in this field.
Jake Bryant
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Civil Engineering Major
Class of 2030
Looking back on your internship, what project or experience had the biggest impact on your growth, and why?
The final phases of Stream Valley, a residential subdivision, had the biggest impact on my growth. Being able to work on the project from start to finish, including the submission process, was extremely helpful in getting a better grasp on how the entire project process works.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your internship, and what did it teach you about yourself or your work?
Coming into this experience with no previous industry knowledge was challenging. It gave me a great opportunity to learn and become comfortable with not knowing everything, making mistakes, and then learning how to fix them.
What is one lesson or skill you will take with you into your future career, and how do you think it will shape the way you work?
I learned how to use Civil 3D from the ground up. This foundation of knowledge will be very helpful throughout my career.
What was your favorite part of being an intern at M2 Group, and what made that experience memorable?
My favorite part was working with all the amazing people in the office. It was nice to be in such a social and open environment, especially coming into the internship with no prior experience. Being around such friendly and encouraging people made the entire summer a great experience.
Looking Ahead to Summer 2027
We are grateful for everything Kaden, Charlie, Kylee, and Jake brought to M2 Group this summer and look forward to staying connected.
As they head back to school, we’re building our 2027 intern class. If you’re looking for a supportive environment where you can develop technical, professional, and communication skills while being mentored by our expert civil engineers and land development professionals, we want to hear from you.
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