This article originally appeared on KLTV.com.
Taking his passion from the classroom to the construction site, soon-to-be college graduate Fletcher Rives is making a difference both on his college campus and in his hometown of Tyler.
Rives interned for Hoar Construction on the UT Tyler School of Nursing expansion project and the new Smith County Courthouse Parking Garage project.
“You never really know what you’re gonna get, you know, interns aren’t expected to really know anything,” said Preconstruction Executive and nursing school project lead M.C. Mercer. “They’re there to learn and to soak up as much as they can, and I think Fletcher kind of took it a step beyond that.”
Rives found the internship opportunity at a career fair last year and was hired when the expansion project began in 2023.
“People are gonna reap the benefits of this building for years, so to be a part of a team that actually cares about the process and how the building goes together, and quality and the safety of our workers was something that was very attractive to me,” he said, talking about his first experience.
Through his hands-on experience, Rives discovered his passion for construction management. His work ethic at the parking garage project earned him attention from executives.
“I think within like a month of him working on the parking garage project that project executive called me and said, ‘if we don’t make Fletcher an offer, we’re doing something wrong,’” said Mercer.
Rives was offered a full-time position as a project engineer for the new Smith County Courthouse. He accepted and will start after graduating in May.
“Put yourself in uncomfortable situations. Iron sharpens iron, so step out there,” he said when asked about advice he’d give to others looking for opportunities in their hometowns. “Don’t be afraid of judgement.”
He will forever be able to say he contributed to two major projects that he says mean a lot.
“I’m excited that I get to be a part of this legacy project here in Tyler, and now I get to move on and do another legacy project here after I graduate.”
