Impact Awards History of Success: The Garrett Companies

For the past 20 years, our Work and Learn Indiana program has celebrated work-based learning and the vital role it plays in fostering the state’s talent pipeline by honoring individuals and companies with the Impact Awards.

As we lead up to the unveiling of the 2026 Impact Award winners – to be announced February 12 at the Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference – we take a trip down memory lane and catch up with several past honorees. The Garrett Companies had the winning Non-Traditional Intern of the Year in 2021 and Intern Supervisor of the Year in 2023.

The Garrett Companies of Greenwood
Shaping Future Talent

Every summer, a new class of college students steps into the halls, conference rooms and construction sites of The Garrett Companies – and many step out changed. It isn’t a typical internship. It is intentional, life shaping and designed to develop individuals.

At the center of this transformation is the Garrett Internship Program (GIP), a 12‑week experience designed to immerse students in the full lifecycle of real estate development, construction and property management.

From day one, interns realize the organization sees them differently than most other companies. They aren’t observers or temporary helpers. Instead, GIP interns are treated as “emerging professionals and future leaders whose contributions directly impact active projects and business outcomes,” shares Maddie Murdock, internship and career development specialist at The Garrett Companies.

That philosophy is visible in the way leaders engage with interns, the responsibilities they are entrusted with and the personalized learning paths each student follows. “Each intern receives personalized guidance, meaningful feedback and opportunities aligned to their strengths,” Murdock emphasizes.

Since 2019, more than 110 young adults have completed the program. While the experience is designed to prepare interns for a wide range of career paths, 26 have chosen to continue their growth full time at The Garrett Companies. Many of these former interns have advanced into leadership roles or become mentors themselves, Murdock offers. Their continued involvement, she notes, “reflects both the strength of the program and the impact it has on developing future leaders.”

 

One experience captures the program’s spirit: the annual Denver learning trip. This past summer, interns were flown across the country for tours, career‑path panels and candid conversations with senior leadership. For Colin Chapman – then a 2025 summer intern and today a full‑time employee – the experience was pivotal. “We were able to meet with the executive team and hear insight into how they found success and the career paths they took,” he relays. “The trip helped me better understand all of the different pieces that make up The Garrett Companies and how my role contributes to the company’s overall success.”

The Garrett Companies is an unmistakable leader when it comes to meaningful internships, and it values the role and support of statewide initiatives like Work and Learn Indiana.

“These programs help prepare young adults for the workforce, build their confidence and develop critical skills,” Murdock begins. “They are essential for bridging the gap between education and career readiness. They provide students with access to meaningful, hands-on work experiences, guidance from industry professionals and opportunities to explore different career paths.

“By connecting students with companies like The Garrett Companies, Work and Learn Indiana fosters talent development and strengthens communities by supporting the next generation of professionals.”