Carlos Giron launched his own business, Rosemary Landscaping Solutions LLC, and managed projects, client relations, budgeting, and community-focused problem solving to deliver sustainable landscape solutions for multi-unit residential properties.
Why did you choose this internship?
I chose this internship because it allowed me to turn my academic interests into a real business venture with direct community impact. Instead of observing an organization from the outside, I wanted full responsibility for decision making, problem solving, and leadership. Building my own company gave me the opportunity to learn through action rather than simulation. It also aligned with my long term goal of entrepreneurship and community-focused work. This experience felt like the most honest way to test my skills in a real world setting.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
I managed day-to-day operations for Rosemary Landscaping Solutions LLC. This included meeting with clients, creating proposals, coordinating crews, managing budgets, and overseeing project timelines. I worked directly on large scale landscaping and irrigation projects for apartment complexes and HOAs. I also handled communication with property managers and adapted plans based on client feedback. Each task required balancing technical knowledge with strong interpersonal skills.
What is unique about your situation that influenced your internship experience?
My internship was unique because it was fully self directed through a business I co-founded and actively manage. I was not placed into an existing role but instead created my own structure, responsibilities, and goals. This required a higher level of accountability than a traditional internship. I had to navigate real financial risk and client expectations. That pressure made the learning experience more high-stakes.
What skills did you develop in this internship?
I developed strong skills in leadership, communication, and project management. I learned how to translate client needs into clear scopes of work and actionable plans. Budgeting and cost estimation became critical skills as I worked on pricing and profitability. I also strengthened emotional regulation and problem solving when dealing with unexpected challenges on job sites.
How was the internship related to your Applied Humanities degree?
This internship directly reflected the values of Applied Humanities by centering people, communities, and ethical decision making. My work required understanding diverse perspectives and designing solutions that balanced aesthetics, function, and community needs. I applied human centered thinking when working with residents, clients, and team members. The internship showed how humanities based skills operate in business environments.
What was your most significant contribution during the internship?
My most significant contribution was creating structured proposals and project systems for large HOA clients. These systems improved communication, transparency, and trust between my company and property managers. By standardizing processes, I helped the businesses operate more professionally and efficiently. This also allowed us to scale projects without losing quality. The impact was both immediate and long term for the company.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
This internship confirmed that entrepreneurship is the path I want to pursue long term. It showed me that I can successfully apply academic knowledge to real world challenges. The experience strengthened my confidence in leadership and decision making. It also motivated me to continue building businesses that serve communities responsibly.