A Moment with Layla Melendez, L+M’s 2023 Communications + Marketing Intern
L+M reached out to the 2023 intern cohort to find out more about their intern experience and how it informed their professional development. This submission is from Layla Melendez, who interned with our Communications + Marketing team.
What impact did the 2023 summer internship program have on you professionally and personally?
Professionally, the internship program provided me with my first internship opportunity in a corporate setting. Through this, I learned many important skills like teamwork, corporate communication writing, graphic design, and financial literacy. It was also my first time having access to a mentor. Personally, I had been wanting a mentor but had no access to an opportunity like that. The internship at L+M was not only able to provide me with this but opened many doors that seemed out of reach beforehand.
How did L+M live up to its mission “Working Together to Building Stronger Communities” through its internal culture and the community they serve?
L+M lived up to its mission by maintaining a friendly culture throughout the workplace. One of my first thoughts as an intern was “Wow, everyone is so smiley here.” That never changed. L+M and its employees do their best to make all feel welcome and spread kindness around the office. This is how we build community.
Based on your experience at L+M, how will the summer experience for the next generation of interns impact their professional development?
The summer intern experience at L+M will impact the professional development of future interns by immersing them in an engaging, busy workplace. You are genuinely treated like an employee and expected to work as such. No one is ordering you around to get their coffee or file copies all day. You will gain real experience performing tasks like someone else on your team would if you were not there. You are a member of the team for real!
What advice do you have for the 2024 summer interns?
Go after every opportunity you can.
A Moment with Peter Perkovic, L+M’s 2023 Operations Intern
L+M reached out to the 2023 intern cohort to find out more about their intern experience and how it informed their professional development. This submission is from Peter Perkovic, who interned with our Operations team.
What impact did the 2023 summer internship program have on you professionally and personally?
This summer internship at L+M taught me a lot about myself and what I want to do with my career. Coming from a background where I was working with my father who owns a construction company, the internship helped me take my skills that I acquired working with him and use them on a much larger scale. It helped me mature as a person and allowed me to improve my communication skills all while doing something that I am very passionate about.
How did L+M live up to its mission “Working Together to Building Stronger Communities” through its internal culture and the community they serve?
L+M absolutely lived up to its mission. From the start, L+M provided a very welcoming and positive work environment that made me feel at home. At L+M, I was always treated with respect and was encouraged to share my own thoughts and ideas with others. While working in operations, I worked on a variety of tasks and with a variety of people as well. In these meetings, it was made very clear to me how serious L+M is about making sure their work gets done efficiently while trying to serve their communities in the best possible way.
Based on your experience at L+M, how will the summer experience for the next generation of interns impact their professional development?
For the next generation of interns, what I can say for sure is that they will obtain all the skills they need and want to develop for their professional careers. L+M offers a variety of resources to all interns which they can use to obtain more knowledge of the field they specialize in, or others that interest them. Whether it is allowing them to shadow meetings with different departments or letting them conduct site visits, which gives them a perspective of the physical impact of their work, this company provides all the resources for an intern to thrive and reach their goals.
What advice do you have for the 2024 summer interns?
A piece of advice that I have for the 2024 summer interns is that communication is everything. Communication is what drives all the projects that L+M works on and without it, the company’s mission would not be possible. This directly applies to the interns because, with effective communication, they will be able to be like sponges and soak up as much information as they possibly can.
A Moment with Jared Jackson, L+M’s 2023 Development Intern
L+M reached out to the 2023 intern cohort to find out more about their intern experience and how it informed their professional development. This submission is from Jared Jackson, who interned with our Development team.
What impact did the 2023 summer internship program have on you professionally and personally?
The 2023 summer real estate development internship program significantly impacted both my professional and personal growth. It offered hands-on experience in market analysis, property valuation, and development planning, enhancing my practical skills and deepening my understanding of real estate processes. Collaborating with diverse professionals improved my technical, communication, and teamwork abilities, while real-world challenges with industry experts provided valuable insights into the complexities of the market. Personally, the internship boosted my confidence, adaptability, and networking skills. Overall, it played a crucial role in shaping my career, providing practical skills, industry knowledge, and personal growth opportunities for future success in real estate development.
How did L+M live up to its mission “Working Together to Building Stronger Communities” through its internal culture and the community they serve?
L+M embodies its mission “Building Stronger Communities” through a collaborative internal culture and impactful external initiatives. Internally, teamwork and open communication drive innovation. Externally, L+M engages communities, creating developments aligned with their needs, including affordable housing and partnerships with local organizations for education and empowerment.
Based on your experience at L+M, how will the summer experience for the next generation of interns impact their professional development?
The upcoming summer experience for interns at L+M could significantly boost their professional development. Real-world projects, diverse exposure, and collaboration with professionals can enhance their skills and industry understanding. The experience may align them with L+M’s values, develop networking connections, and provide a strong foundation for their future careers in real estate.
What advice do you have for the 2024 summer interns?
The 2024 summer interns should embrace a proactive learning mindset in real estate development, network with colleagues and mentors for guidance and future opportunities, don’t hesitate to ask questions, seek exposure to various aspects of development, and take initiative when possible. They should also collaborate effectively, maintain professionalism, welcome feedback for growth, approach challenges with problem-solving skills, reflect on experiences, and strive to leave a positive impact on the company and communities. Your enthusiasm and dedication can shape a successful future in real estate development.
A Moment with Jolie Mastey, L+M’s 2023 Builders/Preconstruction Intern
L+M reached out to the 2023 intern cohort to find out more about their intern experience and how it informed their professional development. This submission is from Jolie Mastey, who interned with our Preconstruction Team in the Builders Group.
What impact did the 2023 summer internship program have on you professionally and personally?
Through the L+M summer internship program I was able to learn many new skills that I would have never learned in a school setting. I was able to collaborate with other interns in different departments to create our final capstone project and learn about their internship roles.
How did L+M live up to its mission “Working Together to Building Stronger Communities” through its internal culture and the community they serve?
L+M lives up to its mission because every day, whether in the office or on site, everyone is always working together. Everyone is very welcoming and willing to help with any questions you may have. I have witnessed collaboration across all levels of employees and truly see how people work together to build better products. The culture of the company is positive and supportive.
Based on your experience at L+M, how will the summer experience for the next generation of interns impact their professional development?
My experience with L+M was a great learning experience. The professionals at L+M went out of their way to provide me with direction and feedback on projects that helped me to better understand the industry and the company. They gave me an insight into the scope and sequence of ongoing projects. This experience not only provided interns with valuable work experience but also a positive and supportive work environment. The internship provided interns not only with work experience but valuable project-based experiences, such as trips to job sites across the city.
What advice do you have for the 2024 summer interns?
My advice for the 2024 summer interns is to get to know the people you work with and people in other departments. Everyone is very knowledgeable and is willing to help you grow. Don’t be scared to ask questions and to have fun!!
Future Housing Leaders + Gen-2-Gen Events
For over 10 years, L+M has provided career path mentoring to high school and college students from diverse and underrepresented communities as they explore the commercial real estate, construction, and property management industry through its internship program. In 2021, the program extended to include events in partnership with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which connected interns with industry leaders, provided access to career mentorship, and gave them exposure to the affordable housing industry.
Fannie Mae’s Future Housing Leadership Program is a supplementary ‘a la carte’ curriculum that equips L+M interns with skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the housing industry. It includes exclusive training resources, including access to Fannie Mae University and web-based resources, and access to a growing professional network through events and the Future Housing Leadership Program LinkedIn group.
Our internship partnership with Freddie Mac, through our inaugural Building Stronger Communities Together Gen-2-Gen Speaker Series, supports our interns with insights from a diverse group of leaders. Additionally, the speakers provide career mentoring to optimize the internship experience and ensure our interns have the right tools to take charge of their professional future.
We look forward to bringing these experiences to our 2022 summer intern cohort!
A Moment with Emily Johansen, L+M’s 2022 Development Intern
L+M reached out to the 2022 intern cohort to find out more about their intern experience and how it informed their professional development. This submission is from Emily Johansen, who interned with our development team.
What impact did the 2022 summer internship program have on you professionally and personally?
From underwriting new development opportunities, exploring new models for shelter development, and navigating the application processes for various grant programs, I was able to gain a better understanding of the players, policies, and incentive programs that facilitate affordable housing development. By the end of the summer, I felt even more excited about the critical work L+M does to leverage the power of affordable housing to connect communities with resources, including jobs, economic opportunities, social infrastructure and services.
How did L+M live up to its mission “Working Together to Building Stronger Communities” through its internal culture and the community they serve?
L+M’s commitment to its mission was immediately apparent within and outside the company. Through interactions with some of the firm’s non-profit partners, including an intern volunteer day with The Campaign Against Hunger, I witnessed firsthand the intention with which L+M approaches relationships with its stakeholders.
Within the company, the firm culture encourages collaboration both across and within departments to leverage the collective expertise of the firm. I enjoyed getting to know people in other departments to understand the immense level of collaboration that is required to drive meaningful impact with each project. As an intern, I immediately felt like part of the team and was encouraged to speak up and share my opinions and perspectives.
Based on your experience at L+M, how will the summer experience for the next generation of interns impact their professional development?
Through the summer intern programming, including the speaker series and external learning platforms to networking lunches and volunteer opportunities, the L+M summer internship is a truly invaluable opportunity to build tangible skills and industry knowledge. The final capstone project was also a great opportunity to dive into a specific area of interest while developing public speaking and presentation skills. Overall, the internship program at L+M is a great way to meet others who are passionate about finding creative ways to drive community impact through real estate development.
What are you doing now?
I am finishing up my last year of graduate school and continuing to support the L+M development team part time.
What advice do you have for the 2023 summer interns?
Take the time to get to know people at the firm. Everyone I met this summer was incredibly warm and willing to share their expertise, which helped me understand how the various functions within the L+M family of companies come together to bring a building from conception to completion. Be curious, ask questions, attend as many site visits as you can, and have fun!
A Moment with Lares Monge, L+M’s 2022 Builders Intern
L+M reached out to the 2022 intern cohort to find out more about their intern experience and how it informed their professional development. This submission is from Lares Monge, who interned with our builders team.
What impact did the 2022 summer internship program have on you professionally and personally?
I was offered many networking opportunities throughout my L+M summer internship. In addition, my engagement with the L+M teams, participation in community investment events and collaboration with my fellow summer interns contributed to me having a great experience overall.
Based on your experience at L+M, how will the summer experience for the next generation of interns impact their professional development?
The summer program at L+M was the best internship opportunity I have had in my career so far, because it gave me real-life work experience in my field. As a result, it has helped me progress in my professional career.
What are you doing now?
I am finishing my third year in the Architecture program at the University of Miami.
What advice do you have for the 2023 summer interns?
Ask a lot of questions, network, and get to know your fellow interns, as well as everyone you’re working with at L+M.
A Moment with Keiona Morse, L+M’s 2022 Sustainability Intern
L+M reached out to the 2022 intern cohort to find out more about their intern experience and how it informed their professional development. This submission is from Keiona Morse, who interned with our sustainability team.
What impact did the 2022 internship program have on you professionally and personally?
L+M’s internship program exceeded my expectations. I was able to advance my career skills and develop tools I needed to grow in my profession. Additionally, I applied the skills I learned during my internship to other professional opportunities.
Based on your experience at L+M, how will the summer experience for the next generation of interns impact their professional development?
The internship will prepare the next generation for their careers, increase their professional value and be an asset to their professional development. In addition, the experience will impact them for a long time because it will create more career opportunities.
What are you doing now?
I am continuing to pursue a career in sustainability.
What advice do you have for the 2023 summer interns?
My advice is to complete all of your projects, make connections with your cohort and in the company, and enjoy what you are doing throughout the internship.
A Moment with Aminata Sam, L+M’s 2021 Development Intern
L+M reached out to the 2021 intern cohort to find out more about their intern experience and how it informed their professional development. This submission is from Aminata Sam, who interned with our development team and is part of the Project Destined Program.
What impact did the 2021 summer internship program have on you professionally and personally?
The summer 2021 internship program solidified my path into the development of affordable housing, while gaining exposure to all the people and moving parts it takes to holistically complete projects. From my first week at the NUL groundbreaking and throughout the summer, I’ve been working with the development team and with government officials, community leaders, co-developers, consultants, Tenant Associations and most importantly, residents to build and renovate great homes.
How did L+M live up to its mission “Working Together to Building Stronger Communities” through its internal culture and the community they serve?
It was immediately evident that L+M was committed to its mission “Working Together to Building Stronger Communities”. First, there was a 300+ person all- staff call earlier in the summer to gain input from everyone at the organization about how we can live up to the mission through the company’s values like collaboration and integrity, and it was also shown at the various projects I worked on that required people from different teams.
What advice do you have for the 2022 summer interns?
My advice to summer 2022 interns is to attend as many site visits as possible. The team organized amazing site visits to projects around the city where we meet residents, Builders, and C+C team members, as we toured the properties.