By Steven Broyles

Summer 2025 – For many students, the journey through higher education is about more than classes—it’s about discovery, growth, and finding the right path for the future. For Lucas Nobles, a second-year student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), this process is already shaping both his academic and professional goals.

Lucas is currently majoring in mechanical engineering while balancing his role as a midfielder on UAH’s Men’s Lacrosse team. Though he’s still in the early stages of his degree and exploring the possibilities that come with engineering, he expects to graduate in spring 2028.

During his time as an intern at Hill Foley Rossi, Lucas gained insights that went far beyond what textbooks and lectures could offer. “The most unexpected part that I learned was the actual working environment,” he shared. The experience took Lucas well beyond his academic experience. “I thought it was very interesting to see how different people worked throughout the day. There is so much more to a project than just calculations.”

This real-world exposure helped Lucas better understand what his future in engineering might look like. While he admits he’s still exploring options within the field, his time at HFR has given him more clarity. “My time working here has opened my eyes to the different types of engineering and has shown me a little more about what I would actually be doing with my degree.”

For students considering internships, Lucas emphasizes the importance of observing and learning from others. “When working as an intern, you should pay attention to your peers to see how they handle certain situations. I learned a lot just by listening to what was going on around me.”

He also notes that engineering interns should expect to gain hands-on exposure to both software tools and project processes. “You can expect to learn a lot, both in computer programs as well as the ways projects are developed. You can expect to go through stacks of site plans in order to make the final product work with all the different site requirements.”

Though still early in his academic career, Lucas is embracing the opportunities to grow both in the classroom and through real-world experience. His willingness to learn, stay open to new directions, and observe the professionals around him highlight a curiosity and work ethic that will serve him well no matter where his career path ultimately leads.