Grubb Properties Summer Internship Program Creates Pipeline for Future Talent

August 13, 2025

Grubb Properties continued to build relationships with the next generation of industry professionals through its summer 2025 internship program, hosting four college students during an eight-week program beginning in June. 

"Our annual summer intern program helps us attract critical talent before it even enters the workforce," according to Melissa Needham, Associate Director of Talent Acquisition at Grubb Properties. “The 2025 group of summer interns brought exactly what we hoped for: they challenged our assumptions, contributed to real projects and helped us better understand the values and expectations of young renters we serve through our national Link Apartments® brand.’’

The benefits of the company’s intern program flow both ways, Needham added. "Interns leave with real project experience, professional networks, mentorship relationships and a clear understanding of career paths in commercial real estate. They also develop presentation skills, learn industry software and gain confidence working with senior executives." 

Needham and her team expanded this year’s intern program beyond traditional work assignments to include four structured professional development sessions:  Professionalism and Workplace Etiquette; Communicating with Impact; Navigating Workplace Dynamics; and Growth Mindset and Adaptability. The interns also attended "lunch and learn" meetings that paired them with leaders from different departments, giving the students exposure to various career paths within the company. 

“Our goal is to provide our interns with a well-rounded experience by addressing topics that are crucial in the workplace, but that aren’t always taught in college,” said Lauren Arnold, HR Recruiting Assistant at Grubb Properties. “We want our interns to leave the program having exposure to leaders across the company, learn about various career paths, and gain perspective on how teams contribute to our business.”            

During her time at Grubb Properties, intern Diamond Moore worked with the Investor Relations team. She said her internship met her goals of learning more about investor relations positions and getting real world experience. “I especially appreciated the professional development meetings because they helped me consider ways to improve, and the approaches I should take in certain situations including communications, time management and working through setbacks.”

Fellow intern Lila Williams, who worked with the Multifamily Marketing team, echoed that sentiment. “I learned so much about marketing,” she said. “I feel like I got real-world experience.” She also valued her on-site visits to Link Apartments® North Carolina communities in Chapel Hill, Winston-Salem and Charlotte.

Virginia Llewellyn, an intern in Property Management, pointed to the benefits of networking as an intern. “Getting to meet as many people as I did, both at corporate headquarters and working closely with the on-site property management teams at Link Apartments®  Linden and Link Apartments® Calyx, both in Chapel Hill, was one of the best things about my internship.” 

Rishi Patel, an intern with the Capital Markets team, said his time at Grubb Properties “was an awesome experience. I got to touch a lot of departments, including finance and acquisitions,” and noted he gained valuable experience in both real estate debt and equity. “Even as an intern, I got to be part of every capital markets meeting, and the lunch and learn sessions were super valuable.”

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