By Taylor Ruck, Recruiter
Each summer, our internship program gives college students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop new skills, and explore the many career paths available at Ruppert Landscape. At the same time, the program allows us to connect with talented students from colleges and universities across the country and introduce them to our people, culture, and industry.
This year, nearly 50 interns joined branches across the company for an immersive, 8- to 12-week summer experience. Throughout the program, interns are exposed to a variety of operational and management responsibilities, giving them a firsthand look at what it takes to build a successful career in the landscape industry.
Each intern is paired with a branch mentor who serves as a guide and resource throughout the summer. While no two internship experiences are exactly alike, interns have opportunities to work alongside branch teams, participate in skills training, attend meetings and industry events, assist with branch appreciation initiatives, and interact with leaders throughout the company. Most importantly, they gain practical experience by contributing to the day-to-day work of their teams.
The internship program is designed to be more than a summer job. By taking on real responsibilities, interns develop technical and professional skills while learning about teamwork, leadership, communication, customer service, and the many moving pieces behind our operations. They also have the opportunity to build relationships with fellow interns and team members who can serve as resources as they continue their education and begin their careers.
Before the summer comes to a close, interns reach one final milestone: Intern Day. Held at our corporate campus, Intern Day brings the group together to celebrate the culmination of their summer experience. Each intern prepares a presentation highlighting the work they completed, lessons they learned, challenges they overcame, and how they plan to apply those experiences at school or in their future careers. The presentations also give our leadership team an opportunity to hear directly from each intern, recognize their accomplishments, and see the impact they made throughout the summer.
For Ruppert, the internship program also plays an important role in developing the next generation of talent. Many interns return for additional summers, and historically, more than half of those who complete the program are offered full-time employment following graduation. What begins as a summer learning experience can ultimately become the first step toward a long-term career.
Congratulations to our 2026 interns on a successful summer, and thank you for the energy, enthusiasm, and contributions you brought to our teams. While this summer’s internship may be coming to an end, we hope to see many familiar faces return for future internships—and, one day, as full-time team members.
We can’t wait to see where your careers take you!