Building Connections and a Career: Victoria Landrón’s Summer with Robins & Morton

Thursday, July 24, 2025
By: Cara Jackson

For construction management major Victoria Landrón, construction is more than blueprints and research; it’s about connections, critical thinking and shaping her career. This summer, Landrón spent her time at Robins & Morton as a field intern, where she has received hands-on experience and knowledge from within the construction field.

Victoria Landron

Landrón’s days at Robins & Morton have been far from coffee runs and paperwork. While assisting Assistant Superintendent Shanella Brooks, Landrón created and conducted inspections, oversaw the installation of curtain walls and conducted material research. Additionally, she assisted various subcontractors and facilitated communication throughout the entire team.

Landrón said one of the most fascinating parts of the job is getting a behind-the-scenes look at the Central Energy Plant (CEP), the “heart” of a mechanical system, which powers HVAC and other essential functions.

“Watching how complex systems like chilled water pipes and massive air-handling units get installed and tied together really gave me a new appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes in a hospital or any large facility,” Landrón said. “It’s not something most people ever get to see, but it’s critical to making the building run safely and efficiently.”

Landrón expressed how integral the M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management was for networking and helping get her internship. Through her involvement with Rinker Women in Construction (RWIC), she met Talent Acquisition Specialist Kaitlin Hazle at an event, which led to her current internship.

“Waking up in time for the 6:30 a.m. team meeting is not for the weak,” Landrón jokes. But in all seriousness, Landrón expresses that although the sheer volume of work to get done was overwhelming, it helped her realize the essentials within the field. “Balancing all my responsibilities really put my time management to the test and made me realize the importance of efficiency and attention to detail,” she said.

Although the start times are early, the rewards outweigh the challenges. “The relationships I have built here at Robins & Morton have honestly been the most rewarding part of my summer,” she said. “Everyone has something unique to offer to the team, and being able to learn from people with such diverse perspectives coming to achieve a common goal is an experience that will be hard to replicate.”

“Diving headfirst into the construction industry is the only way to get a taste of what is waiting for you on the other side after graduation,” said Landron. “My internship at Robins & Morton has helped me streamline my goals while giving me invaluable experience and connections. Returning to DCP in the fall, I will have a newfound ambition and renewed sense of purpose to pursue and achieve my goals,” she said.

Her advice to other students is, “If you’re even thinking about DCP, I’d say give it a shot. The resources, support, and community here help you figure out quickly whether it’s the right path for you, and if it is, you’ll be surrounded by people who are just as passionate and driven as you are.”


Q & A with Victoria Landrón

What has your favorite course/professor at DCP been and why?

My favorite course so far at DCP has been Construction Materials with Larry Muszynski. It was one of the very first courses I took that introduced me to one of the facets of construction. Professor Muszynski connected everything to actual construction scenarios, which helped me understand how materials behave and why they matter so much out in the field. I liked that it wasn’t just about memorizing terms—it felt like something I could apply directly to what I want to do.

What has been your favorite memory at DCP and why?

My favorite memory at DCP has definitely been the community I found through the clubs and the support I received from the advisors. Joining organizations like RWIC (Rinker Women in Construction) and Habitat for Humanity (H4H) really helped me find my place and connect with people who are just as passionate about construction and service as I am. At the same time, the advisors at DCP played a huge role in shaping my experience. They didn’t just help me with scheduling or requirements — they actually took the time to understand my goals and worked with me to make them happen.

Whether it was finding the right internship, figuring out what classes best fit my interests, or just giving advice when I needed it, they were always there. That kind of support made a huge difference in my confidence and overall growth during my time at UF.

What is the one thing you know now that you wish you would have known your first day at UF?

If I could go back in time and give myself one piece of advice, I’d say that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away. Things fall into place the more you put yourself out there and surround yourself with the right people.

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