Skip to main content
Student Spotlights

Aubrey Steward: Plant and Landscape Systems

Aubrey interned at Southview Design during Spring/Summer 2022 Semester.

Describe a day in your life as an intern.

The best part of my internship was that everyday was different! They had an amazing rotation that let me experience nearly every aspect of the company. Some weeks, I would be at the office by 6 am, and head off for a day of maintaining properties. The next week, I could be coming in at 9 am and helping the marketing department. I loved getting to move around the company. I got to work in landscape design, maintenance, installation, irrigation, marketing, managerial positions, accounting and more!

What industry/job specific skills did you learn?

I had the opportunity to learn the design software, Vectorworks. I also learned the basics of installing a hard scape outdoors. I helped stage photo shoots of the landscapes. I met with clients. I interacted with professionals in the office and worked with crews in the field.

What is one thing you learned from this internship experience that could be applied to other settings?

I learned the importance of being willing to learn new things. Sometimes it is uncomfortable to have to push yourself. It can feel embarrassing if you aren’t as skilled as others. However, at my job I had to learn how to do new things on a regular basis. Because of how the internship worked, I was doing something new basically every week. At first, it was scary to have to learn so many skills and interact with so many people. Overtime I realized how valuable learning to adapt is. Nobody ever made fun of me for not knowing how to do something, they just appreciated me trying my best and asking questions.

What was your favorite part of your internship experience?

My favorite part of the internship was the people at the company! They went above and beyond to make sure that I was taken care of, not just at work, but in general. My contact at the company was able to find me an amazing living situation with a couple in a stake there. This couple ended up being a huge blessing to my life as they treated me like a member of their family. I also was a part of the amazing “Southview Design Family.” My coworkers would regularly check in and were quick to problem solve with me. I loved them! I also loved getting to work with so many different people and learn so many new skills.

How did this internship experience affect your future goals?

Going in I thought I wanted to be a landscape designer but while I was there it helped me realize I would do better in a managerial position. I love being outside and interacting with crews and clients.

How did you find your internship?

My program holds an amazing networking event each fall called Landscape Career Connections where professionals from all over the country come. We get to interact with them and build relationships over several days. I made contact with two of Southview Designs employees. They made an amazing impression. I reached out the next week, interviewed, and had the internship within a month!

How did this internship experience contribute to your growth?

It helped me build so much confidence in myself as a human and also as a future professional in this field. It gave me invaluable experiences that I will cherish forever!

This was such a fun day! We purchased flowers to stage the yards with! That night we photographed the yards and they ended up winning in their competitions! The flowers doubled as gifts for the clients at the end.
Working the compactor was intimidating but ended up being an absolute blast!! The people on my crew were amazing!