From Intern to Full-Time Project Engineer: How Elli Garcia Built Her Career with HPM
For Elli Garcia, what began as a college internship turned into a full-time career built on growth, mentorship, and shared values. Now a Project Engineer at HPM, Elli’s journey from student to professional is a story of initiative, opportunity, and community.
Finding Her Path
Elli’s story began at Mississippi State University, where she majored in Building Construction Science. Like many students in the program, she attended a career fair looking for opportunities in the field, but one conversation changed her perspective.
“I met Anna Dolen at the career fair,” Elli recalled. “Talking to her helped me realize what project management and program management really looked like. I loved the idea of seeing a project from a bigger perspective—not just building it, but managing how it all comes together.”
That introduction led Elli to an internship with HPM, setting the stage for a series of experiences that would define her career trajectory.
Gaining Real Experience Early
Elli’s first internship placed her in her hometown of Tuscaloosa. She had the chance to work on the Bryce Main renovation project at the University of Alabama, which was turning into the new welcome center.
Moving into her co-op with HPM, she worked on Mississippi State’s Azalea Hall project, a 412-bedroom residence hall, while finishing up her senior year at MSU.
“I actually got to see that project from the ground up, which was really neat,” Elli said.
What stood out most to Elli was how involved she was allowed to be. Throughout her internship and co-op rounds with HPM, she felt she was gaining experience as a trusted employee and given valuable opportunities to build the skills needed for a Project Engineer.
“Being involved in those bigger meetings, you wouldn’t really get to do that at other types of internships. I was thrown right into it. I was given responsibilities that sometimes you don’t get as an intern. And I truly felt like part of the team during that time. They weren’t just parking you in a chair to shadow or going to get coffee, right?” Elli said.
A Company That Invests in People
As she transitioned from intern to full-time employee, Elli found that HPM’s culture was what truly made her stay.
“It’s the community,” she said. “You spend more time at work than at home, so being part of a company that’s family-oriented and shares your values means everything.”
Elli also noted the support she felt from HPM at each stage of her early career journey.
“Each supervisor of mine really wanted to make sure that I grew, especially in leadership,” Elli said. “Early on, I got plugged in and was able to do things from leading a meeting with our architects to having a presentation in our quarterly internal meeting.”
Giving Back and Paying It Forward
Now, Elli is helping other students start their own journeys. She serves as a Campus Champion for HPM, returning to Mississippi State career fairs to connect with the next generation of construction professionals.
“Talking to them and seeing what their interests are, what they are looking for professionally, and then being able to explain how HPM has helped me grow over the years has been awesome,” Elli said.
When asked what kind of people thrive at HPM, Elli’s answer came easily.
“We look for people who are eager to learn and who share our core values,” she said. “If you look at anybody in our company, people get along, and it’s very family-oriented. I love being able to talk about that to other people.”
HPM’s values aren’t just something printed on a wall. They shape her daily work and guide how she treats both fellow employees and clients.
“The core values that I see on the website, they’re not just out there because it looks good,” Elli said.
Looking Ahead
No two days are the same for Elli, and that’s one of her favorite parts of the job. “I get to come in and learn something new and also spend time with great people.”
Her advice for students or young professionals entering the industry? “Be eager to learn and take the time to listen,” she said. “You don’t always have to be the loudest person in the room. Sometimes you learn the most by listening.”
A Defining Moment
When asked to name the moment that solidified her love for her work, Elli said seeing her first major project completed was a key accomplishment.
“It was seeing the dorm that I had been working on for so long being completed and standing back outside going, ‘wow, this is crazy.’” Elli said. “That when I realized this was just the beginning.”
Interested in learning more about careers at HPM? Visit our careers page to get started.
