Project Engineer (PE) Intern Khyler McAlpine is a big believer in seizing opportunities.

“I’d love for everyone to stop second-guessing themselves,” he says. “If you don’t step out of your comfort zone, you’ll never discover the possibilities that lie ahead.”

That bold approach to new experiences is exactly what landed him in San Francisco — 3,000 miles away from his Miami hometown — for a summer of firsts: his first internship, his first time working on a construction site, and his first stay on the West Coast.

“I go to school in Atlanta and my family’s in Miami, so my entire life is on the East Coast ‘Best Coast,’” he says. “Coming out here on my own was a major decision, but I knew I had to do it. How often do these types of chances come knocking on your door?”

It all began last year at the Atlanta University Center Consortium in Atlanta, GA. The consortium's annual fall career fair targets students from three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morehouse College, where Khyler’s pursuing his bachelor’s in applied physics.

That fateful September day, Khyler entered the career fair unsure of what to expect but eager to begin networking and secure his first internship. He introduced himself to as many participating companies as he could, eventually making his way to Webcor’s booth. He instantly connected with several members of The Collective, Webcor’s Black Employee Resource Group (ERG), who had just flown to Atlanta for their first HBCU recruiting trip.

“After talking to the Webcorians at the booth for a significant length of time, I realized this would be a truly fun group of people to work with,” Khyler says. “Shout-out to HR Specialist Dante Robinson for all his support from the very beginning!”

One application and three interviews later, he was in—and ready to work.

“From the moment I accepted Webcor’s offer, I’ve been excited for it all,” he says. “It’s my first internship, so I’ve been eager to contribute and learn about everything my team’s put in front of me.”

For the last 12 weeks, Khyler’s been supporting the Biosolids Digester Facilities Project’s (BDFP) Building 615 team with everything from reviewing submittals to determine what’s deferred, to finding solutions to problems through meetings with subcontractors.

Although he’s appreciated every second, nothing’s compared to the thrill of stepping away from his computer and exploring the job site.

“I feel like we should step away more often to see the plans we’ve been reviewing in person,” he says. “It really gives you a better idea of what we’re building, designing, or reviewing—it reminds you that it all has a purpose.”

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To Khyler, that’s what this this industry is all about—pouring your energy, creativity, and skills into a structure that will benefit its surrounding community for years to come. “Nothing puts a smile on my face like seeing someone use something I’ve created,” he says.

As he approaches the final week of his internship, Khyler can’t help but already feel nostalgic for his time with the mentors and friends he’s made at BDFP. “Shout-out to the entire Building 615 team,” he says. “Without them, I wouldn’t have the industry knowledge and skills I carry with me today.”

Beyond his industry-specific knowledge, he’ll finish his internship with a newfound sense of confidence: the confidence to present information clearly and thoroughly to peers/leaders, to address others without falling prey to arrogance, and to lead others with respect—yet another key lesson learned this summer.

“From an apprentice to a CEO, everyone should be treated with the same level of respect,” he says. “Working with BDFP’s team has definitely taught me the significance of respect.”

As Khyler continues to reflect on his summer, he can’t help but also feel immense pride in his decision to push himself outside his comfort zone and commit to a first internship on the West Coast.

“I’m thankful to have built relationships that could last forever,” he says. “That wouldn’t have happened if I hadn't taken that initial leap of faith.”

As much as he’ll miss his BDFP team, he’s ready to return to Miami’s sunny beaches. “Back home, you can always find me on a jet ski!”

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