Featuring Emily Walker and Riley Samples
At Carroll Daniel, the internship experience is about more than gaining hands-on industry knowledge. It is an opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, contribute to meaningful work, and gain real insight into a future in construction.
For many former interns, the most lasting impact extends beyond the projects they supported or the skills they gained. They point to the relationships they built, the mentors who invested in them, and a culture of support that continues to shape their careers long after their internship ends.
While studying Civil Engineering at Auburn University, Emily Walker joined Carroll Daniel as a college intern in 2023. What began as a summer opportunity grew into a full-time career. Today, as an Assistant Project Manager, Emily reflects on the people around her as one of the most meaningful parts of her journey.
“Working at a company that is not just a job, but a community that supports you both in your career and in your life as a whole, is something that is very important to me,” Emily shared. “I get to come to work every day knowing I have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally and to do that alongside a great team.”
– Emily Walker
Riley Samples joined Carroll Daniel’s College Internship Program in 2022 as a student studying Construction Management at Clemson University. Riley grew into a Project Engineer and now serves as an Assistant Project Manager. Throughout each stage of his career, the relationships he has built have remained a key part of his experience.
“My job feels like a second home, a place where I can grow, contribute, and feel a genuine sense of purpose,” Riley said. “What truly makes it special are the coworkers who feel more like friends, creating an environment built on collaboration, support, and shared purpose.”
– Riley Samples
While each of these team members followed a different path, their experiences share a common thread. In addition to the knowledge and experience they gained, they found mentors who invested in them, teammates who supported them, and opportunities that helped shape their careers.
That experience often continues beyond the internship itself. In 2025, about 75% of interns received return offers, whether as full-time employees after graduation or as returning interns. As the program has grown across all seven offices over the past few years, more students have had the opportunity to take that next step and continue building their careers with Carroll Daniel.
For Emily and Riley the internship was more than a summer experience. It was the beginning of lasting careers, meaningful relationships, and a strong connection to a team they are proud to be part of.