McKinsey was a Technical Intern for Physical Facilities at BYU during Spring 2025.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
As part of this internship, I had the opportunity to attend different shops located at BYU's Physical Facilities. These shops involved working with journeyman and learning different trades, such as HVAC, Electricity, Carpentry, BYU Grounds, and even the management behind running custodial work. I could plan out my own schedule, and every week or two I would jump from one shop to another. From this internship, I learned how to work with people of all types and from all sorts of backgrounds. I gained a deeper appreciation for what these journeymen do and I grew to love their work. I worked hard and was not afraid to get my hands dirty. I learned how to frame a new office building, put together ductwork, and fix sprinklers. I had a first-hand experience on who I would be working with and managing when I become a manager over a facility. A fundamental part of my experience was that it helped solidify my decision to get into the Facilities Management Major. I strengthened my ability to work with a team, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively with those over me. Overall, this internship experience broadened my view of what it means to be a manager, helped me develop moral characteristics, and reminded me how much I love to work with a team.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
I was not expecting that my internship would help me learn the importance of meeting confrontation in a respectful yet firm manner. I had to remember my values and ask for those I worked with to respect them. I, too, needed to be open-minded to others's views and seek to understand their views in a better light. Asking for others to respect my morals and values was something I was not expecting to learn or apply during this internship.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
I am now on the path to becoming a Facilities Manager. I never thought I would become a manager or maintain facilities if I had not taken this internship.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
After recently returning home from my mission, I found myself unsure of what I wanted to study or pursue for a career. I felt overwhelmed by the uncertainty of the unknown, so I turned to the Lord in prayer for help. With the help of friends, parents, and my own efforts, I found the Facilities Management major and was encouraged to do this internship to confirm if this major was what I should get into. Coming into this internship meant more than just earning money and gaining experience. It would decide if I was going to purse the Facilities Management major. As I participated in this internship, I prayed for Heavenly Father to help me feel if this major would lead me on the path He desired me to go. I was amazed by the results. I grew to love the people I worked with---my supervisor, the journeymen, and the students. I felt excitement for each new day I had to go to the shops. This excitement was an answer to my prayers, and I felt impressed to switch my major to Facilities Management. Though I do not know much about management or have any background in construction, I remain excited to keep learning and developing skills and talents as I learn about management.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
I would absolutely recommend this internship to other students, especially if they are unsure about selecting a major. There are life skills you learn at the shops that will help you, your family, and the community around you. You will learn to work hard if you come with the desire to jump in and learn. Additionally, you will create friendships with the journeymen you work with that could last beyond your time as an intern. The people you work with in this internship want you to succeed in life, whether you choose to become a Facilities Manager or not.
Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your internship?
Though my time in this internship did not last long, my testimony of God's plan and my Savior, Jesus Christ, has grown. I turned a lot to my Heavenly Father in prayer for guidance and direction, then I went to work. I had a great internship because I chose to come with an open mind to learn, be taught, and get my hands dirty. Heavenly Father was in the details of my internship, guiding me where I needed to go so I could be with the people I needed to be with.
