At LRE & Co, development is about more than constructing buildings or completing transactions. It is also about developing people.

Over the years, we have taken great pride in mentoring young people and giving them an opportunity to experience the professional world. We take that responsibility seriously. An internship may represent only a few weeks in a young person’s life, but the lessons, encouragement and relationships formed during that time can stay with them for years.

Our hope is that when these students eventually enter the workforce and begin building their own careers, they remember that someone believed in them early on. We may have played only a small role in their journey, but even a small role can make a meaningful difference at the right time.

This summer, LRE welcomed one of our youngest interns, a high school student named Larry.

When Larry first joined us, we knew he was interested in learning about real estate development. What we did not fully appreciate was the amount of responsibility and real-world experience he already had.

While keeping up with school and participating in sports, Larry had also been helping his mother and working for a construction company. He was not simply observing from the sidelines. He was performing physically demanding work and learning firsthand what it takes to build something.

That experience led him to an important question: Construction is difficult, but how do developers decide what to build, finance a project, manage the process and eventually lease or sell the property?

That curiosity brought him to LRE.

Throughout his internship, Larry demonstrated a strong work ethic, a willingness to listen and a genuine interest in understanding the business. He asked thoughtful questions and wanted to learn not only what we do, but why we make certain decisions.

His mentor in our office, Gabriel, was especially impressed by Larry’s attitude, effort and ability to take direction. By the end of the summer, Larry delivered a final presentation to our team that showed how much he had learned and how seriously he had approached the opportunity.

I was impressed.

One of my personal concerns is that young people can sometimes become accustomed to opportunities without fully appreciating the work and sacrifice behind them. It can be easy to take education, employment and professional access for granted.

Larry reminded us that there are many young people who are eager to learn, willing to work and prepared to earn every opportunity they receive. They may simply need someone to open the door and give them a chance.

Internships should not be about giving students busy work or allowing them to place a company name on a résumé. A meaningful internship should expose them to real responsibilities, real expectations and real conversations about their future.

It should also challenge those of us who are already established in our careers. Mentoring requires patience, time and involvement, but it is one of the most worthwhile investments a company can make.

At LRE, we remain committed to working with the next generation. Whether a student eventually chooses a career in real estate, construction, hospitality, finance or an entirely different field, we want them to leave our office with greater confidence, practical knowledge and an understanding that hard work still matters.

We are proud of Larry and grateful that he chose to spend part of his summer learning with our team. We wish him continued success as he begins his senior year of high school, and we look forward to seeing where his work ethic and curiosity take him next.