LDS FM Groups Internships

Working for the LDS FM groups is anything but normal. Generally, it would be assumed that working for the LDS FM groups would bring with it strict rules and set schedules. Contrary to popular belief, students' experiences have been very much the opposite. Yes, there are guidelines and rules, but every day is a "roller-coaster" of fun at the FM office.

As assistants to an FM, students keep very busy in helping in any way they can. Whether they're paying utility bills or visiting sites checking HVAC systems, they're always on the run. Currently, Chase Parry and Paul Garretson are two of these interns. They are heavily involved with creating a large inventory list. This list will provide 24 different FMs from all over the Salt Lake Valley with critical information that could potentially save their FM groups and the LDS Church ten's of thousands of dollars. It's a daunting task, but one thing that can be counted on as an intern with the LDS Church is the amount of responsibility and trust that will be given. The utmost confidence is given by leaders with immediate trust of important tasks. BYU FPM students absolutely love this as an opportunity to learn and to grow by leaps and bounds. As stated by Chase Parry "Interning for the Church has been the best thing I could have ever imagined. I hope that all those who have given it thought can take advantage of any opportunities given and jump on board. It's an experience like no other. I mean, where else can you go to manage over 1 million square feet of property?"

Sodexo Internships

Sweet Home Alabama


If you were asked today to move from your nice, comfy apartment,  drive across the United States, and live in the deep south of Alabama, what would you say? When this question became a reality in late March to one of our students, he scratched his head like many of you might do. Then he decided to take the plunge and now Tyler Merrill is living life as an intern for Sodexo in Troy Alabama. Aside from the scathing hot humidity and the occasional down pour of rain, his internship has opened his eyes to the realities of facilities management in the real world.
A similar story has come true for several BYU students interning with Sodexo a Facility Management company this summer. John Mills, Eric Lima, PJ Taylor, Seth Bohne, and JD Shepherd are all fulfilling part of their FPM curriculum and gaining world class experience doing internships with Sodexo.
Tyler has been assigned many projects working as the intern to the operations and maintenance manager of Troy University. Such projects have included updating the tool inventory, reprogramming an automated fueling control system for campus vehicles, creating a recycling program, and  installing electric metering systems for individual buildings to analyze lighting retrofit savings. He has also been heavily involved in the projects department managing the renovation of a residential home into a university rental. He has been responsible for coordinating work with various subcontractors, creating and managing a schedule, and most importantly managing a budget of $30,000. As an intern, that is a lot of responsibility.
The internships are busy and the learning is plentiful. Internships are a great opportunity for students to live life as a facility manager. They feel more prepared to jump into careers upon graduation having had these experiences. So the next time an offer comes to go somewhere far from what is known, take the challenge. You will be happy you did!

Smithsonian Internships

Getting Paid Working Hard and Having Fun
 
5 BYU FPM students are living a political life in Washington, DC for the summer while completing internships with Smithsonian Institution. Under the Office of Facility Management and Reliability group at Smithsonian, the 5 students are shadowing Zone Managers at 5 different areas in the Smithsonian Museum world. Part of an overall group of 9 interns, BYU makes up more than half of the group, but they don't hold that against their new friends.
Sam Scott: Working in the Gallery Place Zone, Sam is working hard on a project to create a maintenance plan for the newly aquired National Postal Museum. His area and projects also cover the American Art Museum as well as the Portrait Gallery. Sam has a goal to see every Smithsonian Museum by the end of the summer! (there are 22!)
Anthon Petty: The newly accepted FPM student is working hard at the National Air and Space Museum and the American Indian Museum, focusing on contracting... taking his new addiction to a new heights! Anthon's taken advantage of free Smithsonian training classes on Federal Contracting and will recieve his COTR certificate by the end of the summer.
Spencer Salmon: As the intern for the largest Smithsonian Musum, Spencer's North Mall Zone covers the Museum of Natural History with 1.25 Million SQFT! He's been working hard on a project with contracting relationships for future maintenance projects. Spencer is all business at the office and all business during his time off! Busy studying for the GMAT, Spencer still takes advantage of the free IMAX and ride simulators for Smithsonian Employees.
Tallon Sessions: Joined the crew this week at the start of summer term and is located in the South Mall Zone, with the Smithsonian Castle and the Quadragle (an underground art museum). Tallon's learning the ropes of working for the government and of the city and knows he has a lot more to learn.
Domineau Wiley: With what she claims as the best museum, Domineau is holding fort at the National Museum of American History--- the newly remodeled building. Home to the Star-Spangled Banner and Stephen Colbert's Self-Portrait, Domineau believes she holds all the bragging rights. Since the museum was reopened in November, many system plans are outdated with previous building walls and structures, Domineau is working on a new Sprinkler Valve recognition system, maps and outlines. She is keeping the boys in line and she's seen the President twice!

Tallon Sessions, Sam Scott, Domineau Wiley, Anthon Petty and Spencer Salmon at the Intern Networking Fair