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| FAMU interns with Scott Skidelsy, President, Balfour Beatty, Southeast Division |
The FAMU School of Architecture and Engineering Technology is continuing to expand its pipeline to the construction industry, with six students earning competitive internships this summer at Balfour Beatty, one of the nation's largest infrastructure and construction firms. The placements underscore the growing demand for the School's talent and the university's commitment to preparing students for careers before they graduate.
The students gained hands-on experience with a company whose projects span entertainment, health care, transportation and government facilities across the United States. Rather than simply observing, they are contributing to active construction and facilities management projects while working alongside experienced industry professionals.
The internships reflect SAET's broader strategy of building partnerships with leading employers and ensuring students graduate with practical experience that complements their academic training.
"Internships provide more than a summer job," said Andrew Chin, Dean, SAET in announcing the students' placements. "They allow our students to apply what they have learned in the classroom, understand professional expectations, develop relationships with industry leaders, and return to the classroom with greater confidence and purpose."
When these students return to campus with firsthand industry experience, they strengthen not only their own career prospects, but pour into their peers and help to improve the classroom discourse, Chin added.
The six students selected for Balfour Beatty's internship program represent two of the university's academic schools.
Representing the School of Architecture and Engineering Technology are:
- Cheynne Clarke, Facilities Management
- Chase Walton, Construction Engineering Technology
- Taylor Williams, Construction Engineering Technology
- Noah Wolaver, Construction Engineering Technology
Joining them from FAMU's School of Business and Industry are:
- Alicia Laracuente, Business Administration
- Samairah DeSouza, Business Administration
The cross-disciplinary cohort reflects the increasingly collaborative nature of the construction industry, where engineering, facilities management, project delivery and business operations converge to execute complex projects.
Partnerships with nationally recognized employers such as Balfour Beatty have become a cornerstone FAMU's career-readiness efforts. As the construction industry faces continued demand for skilled professionals, internships provide students with technical experience, professional mentorship and industry connections that often lead to full-time employment.
The partnership also reinforces the FAMU's School of Architecture and Engineering Technology strong reputation as a producer of workforce-ready graduates.