Introduction 

• Riley
  • Hello, my name is Riley Wetzel. I am an architectural intern here at HDJ for the summer of 2025. I graduated with my undergraduate degree from Ferris State, and this fall I will be attending University of Michigan for my Master of Architecture. 

• Ruby
  • Hello Everyone! My name is Rubicel Pita Martinez, and this summer I had the opportunity to intern at HDJ with the architectural team, based in their Phoenix office. I joined HDJ right after I graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor in Science in Architecture.
• Edmund
  • I’m a senior at Calvin University majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering and minoring in Computer Science. I interned at HDJ in the electrical engineering department in the summer of 2025. The company’s open and friendly culture really stood out to me. Everyone I met was open and willing to talk, from coworkers in other departments to the CEO and President.
• Henry
  • My name is Henry Phippen, and I’m entering my senior year at Calvin University, studying mechanical engineering with a business minor. I’m originally from Macomb, Illinois, but have really enjoyed living in Grand Rapids the past few years. This summer, I interned with the mechanical engineering team at HDJ’s Grand Rapids office.
•  Ayden
  • Hi, I’m Ayden Haskins. I’m a junior in high school and a second-year electrical engineering intern at HDJ. I’ve grown up around the company due to my dad, and I’ve always admired the cohesive, collaborative environment here. Even as an intern, I’ve been encouraged to speak up and contribute. That kind of trust and openness is rare, and it’s one of the reasons HDJ stands out. It’s more than work; it feels like a community.

A Day in the Life 

• Riley 
  • I usually start my day by arriving at the office a bit early to get a head start—organizing my to-do list, responding to emails and chats, and diving into a project while the office is still quiet. To keep my energy up, I like to mix up tasks throughout the day, shifting between drawings, details, and planning work. I often eat lunch at my desk while staying in the zone, but I always carve out time for a quick afternoon walk to reset. One of the highlights of my routine has been grabbing coffee from new local spots with coworkers. It’s been a fun way to explore the area and connect with the team. At the end of the day, I wrap up by reviewing what I accomplished and making sure all communications are squared away.
• Ruby
  • My days usually begin with a 20 minute commute to the office. Once there, I’d either work on ongoing tasks or check in to align my goals for the day and make sure I was connecting with lead project architects to make sure I was making the most out of my time here. I spent a lot of time collaborating with the team on technical tasks and bonding over music or ping pong breaks. The Phoenix office is on a smaller scale, just six people, which made every interaction personal.  It was the perfect balance of structure and connection.  
• Edmund
  • I usually started my workday around 8 am by putting my lunch in the fridge and setting up my laptop at my desk. I spent most of my day at my computer, but I took breaks to chat with coworkers or get a snack from the well-stocked kitchen.
• Henry
  • Most mornings, I start with redlines or drafting mechanical and plumbing layouts. Lunch is usually a PB&J and banana—except Wednesdays, when the Grand Rapids team walks to Meijer for sushi, a fun midweek tradition. The afternoons are a mix of focused work and casual team conversations that add energy to the day.
• Ayden
  • My day at HDJ starts around 7:30 with my dad and me driving over. Once I’m in the office, I usually jump into redlines from Mitchell, Grace, or my dad. We have team meetings a few times a week that help everyone stay connected and supported. We either bring lunch or walk to Bridge Street Market for lunch. It’s a nice way to break-up the day. At the end of the day, I usually wrap up bigger tasks and yes, I often forget my timesheet. Sorry, Melissa. 

Project Highlights 

• Riley 
  • During my time at HDJ, one standout project involved an opportunity to design a laundry room addition to an existing building. I took on an informal leadership role, managing much of the design process and ensuring steady progress. It was a rewarding challenge to balance the traditional aesthetic of the original structure with a fresh, modern addition. The project also gave me a faster-paced look at the full scope of a new build, including leading coordination calls with civil and structural engineers, which is definitely something I hadn’t expected to do this summer.
• Ruby
  • One project I particularly enjoyed was creating lease exhibits with the Sprouts team. While there was a standard guide, each project had its own unique challenges, which made the work feel more engaging and technical. I really appreciated having these projects early on because they allowed me to see my own progress clearly. Even back in college, attention to detail was one of my strengths, and I quickly realized how valuable that skill was here. It’s honestly been one of my biggest takeaways so far. These projects definitely helped make my transition smoother.
• Edmund
  • My most comprehensive job experience was on a renovation project. I began by inputting elements from job site photos into the digital building model. I then worked on various project aspects, including setting up the sheets we print for contractors to work from and reviewing architectural changes made to the building to design our electrical model. I enjoyed the diverse tasks involved in that project.
• Henry
  • One of my first projects was Fairwind Fire, an affordable housing complex in South Carolina damaged by fire. I used site photos to identify mechanical and plumbing systems, redrew them in Revit, and selected replacement equipment. It was a great intro to Revit and HVAC layout.
• Ayden
  • One of the most meaningful things I worked on was Woda Brockton. It was the first time I placed an electrical layout, redlines, receptacles, lights, and equipment all from scratch. It wasn’t based on anyone else’s work or edits. It was mine. Even if Scott or Mitchell ended up changing it all later, that project helped me understand what it feels like to have my own ideas on paper and taught me to be conscious of the work I do. 

Special Moments 

• Riley 
  • One of the most memorable parts of my internship was visiting the same project site multiple times for a draw meeting. It was exciting to observe the progress at each stage and see how the building was taking shape over time. Even though I didn’t work directly on the drawings, being on-site for the first time gave me a better understanding of how design decisions translate into construction. A fun highlight of those visits was grabbing authentic Italian food nearby and trying espresso for the first time!
• Ruby
  • Working at HDJ has truly been a special experience overall. Ever since the beginning of my internship, the Phoenix office has been very welcoming, and the culture was exactly what I hoped for: genuine and collaborative. An impactful moment for me was travelling to Michigan for the Summer Extravaganza, and being surrounded by amazing teammates was where I truly felt part of the HDJ family. Cornhole tournaments, pickleball, and even being gently beaten at ping pong became bonding moments I’ll cherish always. I enjoyed being exposed to this environment and to these types of learning experiences and engaging team-building exercises; putting faces to names on my screen became a highlight of my experience.
• Edmund
  • During my internship, weekly meetings with the electrical team streamlined our work and improved productivity. We also discussed and distributed workloads to ensure efficient task completion.
  • I participated in job site visits where HDJ employees inspected the construction work to ensure it aligns with our design specifications. During one of these visits, we observed the construction process at various stages, because the different contractors working on the project cycle through the buildings and units. Some buildings were still in the framing stage, with electrical wiring being installed, while others had already been painted and finished. 
• Henry
  • Another highlight was attending HDJ’s week-long summer Extravaganza in Muskegon, filled with team-building, meals, and fun evening events. Weekly meetups between the Grand Rapids and Muskegon mechanical teams also offered valuable collaboration and learning opportunities, including “lunch and learns.”
  • I also joined a site visit to Hackley Castle to walk contractors through plans and observe how duct and pipe layouts are evaluated in the field—an exciting hands-on experience.
• Ayden
  • Some of my favorite moments were during the summer extravaganza. The skits were actually funny and educational, which I didn’t think was possible. I also really loved the site visits. Being able to walk through an active construction site while having the Revit files to compare it to? It’s fascinating to see how things come together in real life after you’ve seen the design side. Thankfully, I don’t have to deal with RFIs, so site visits are great.

 Final Reflections 

• Riley 
  • My time at HDJ was incredibly rewarding. I came in hoping to better understand real-world applications of architecture, and I’m grateful to have had mentors who patiently guided me through every question and challenge. This experience went beyond my expectations. I learned so much about the technical details that bring a building to life. As I head into graduate school, I’m excited to carry this knowledge forward and continue growing my design skills. 
  • My advice to future interns: say yes to every project, site visit, and new experience: you’ll learn more than you expect and gain a true sense of what the field has to offer.
• Ruby
  • HDJ isn’t just a workplace, it’s a place people want to be. From their goal to helping communities in need, to creating an engaging and safe workplace, they strive for greatness all around. This journey from being an outsider looking in, to feeling like a true insider has been one of the most rewarding parts of my internship. This opportunity has helped me grow in all areas of my life, from learning how to interact with people from any location to learning technical skills in Revit. My advice to future interns is to show up as your authentic self. They truly value people with personality, everyone brings a unique piece to the puzzle. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and make the most of your time here. The bonds will form naturally, just enjoy the experience!
• Edmund
  • The open and friendly company culture at HDJ allowed me to engage in conversations with coworkers and interns, gain insights into the company, and learn from many perspectives what helps HDJ thrive in this industry. 
• Henry
  • Coming in with limited A&E experience, I’ve gained technical skills, field knowledge, and confidence. Most of all, I’ve learned how impactful a strong team culture can be. My advice to future interns: be curious, ask questions, and connect with those around you—you’ll grow more than you expect.
• Ayden
  • This internship didn’t just teach me about electrical in A&E or how an office operates, on a larger scale it helped shape what I want in life. When I first joined HDJ, I was set on studying law and only wanted to explore engineering to confirm it wasn’t for me. Funny enough, now I’m leaning hard into electrical engineering. HDJ opened that door. My advice to future interns? Talk to people, ask questions, and enjoy the experience.