Neesha Carroll’s introduction to the construction industry was trial by fire – literally.
She began her career by welding in trade school, but soon discovered construction management, where she knew that she’d truly found her place. Years later, when she joined Robins & Morton as an intern, she found a team that felt like family.
Today, Carroll is an assistant superintendent at Robins & Morton’s Huntsville International Airport projects in Huntsville, Alabama.
Three Internships
Carroll had many dreams for her career, from professional basketball player to physical therapist. As she approached her high school graduation, though, her plans changed. Carroll’s uncles — two welders and an electrician — convinced her to pursue a trade.
First, she decided to follow in her uncles’ footsteps and pursue welding. Through that experience, she discovered Alabama A&M’s construction management program.
While she was a student at Alabama A&M, she got her first construction management internship, followed by a second internship with another firm. During these internships, she learned that she had made the right choice in pursuing a career in construction management, and she thrived. It was during her third internship with Robins & Morton that she found where she wanted to stay after graduation.
“I figured out quickly that family isn’t always blood related. Robins & Morton is like family,” Carroll said. “I’ve tried to come up with something different to say, because I know everyone here says that. It’s just the truth, though.”
During her time as an intern, Carroll worked at the in-progress Encompass Health of North Alabama jobsite in Huntsville, a short drive from her hometown of Muscle Shoals.
Two Degrees
During her internships, Carroll had the opportunity to explore several different roles. She worked both in the field and the office, but her favorite days were spent in the field. In the same way that Carroll loved building with LEGO® blocks as a child, she loves seeing a project take shape with her own eyes.
Throughout her internships, Carroll got to experience the beginning stages of several projects, but she was eager to learn about the final stages. When she joined the Robins & Morton team full time, she returned to the Encompass Health of North Alabama project and stayed all the way to the end. There, she learned valuable lessons under Field Superintendent James Murphy, Superintendent Bryan Ward, and the rest of the team.
“I’ve always felt like I had to prove myself,” Carroll said. “But the Robins & Morton team did whatever it took to make sure I learned anything and everything, and we got the job done.”
While she was settling into her position as a field engineer, she got an intriguing phone call from a friend.
“He said, ‘I have a crazy idea. I want to go back to school, and I want you to do it with me,’” Carrol said.
With encouragement from her friend and a dedication to continuous learning, Carroll agreed. In May 2024, Carroll graduated with a master’s degree in systems and mechanical engineering, which she earned while working full time at Robins & Morton. To get through those demanding two years, she leaned on the values her mother instilled in her.
“My mom — my best friend — never let me quit anything I started,” Carroll said. “While I was getting my master’s degree and working, there were plenty of times I wanted to say, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ But I had to finish what I started.”
With that firm determination, she finished her degree with a 4.0 GPA, all while advancing in her career at Robins & Morton.
One Big Goal
On top of her impressive educational accomplishments, Carroll has also made significant strides in her career. After her six-month internship during the spring 2021 semester, Carroll joined the Robins & Morton team as a field engineer in August 2021. Less than two years later, she was promoted to project engineer. With her tenacity and passion for construction, she earned another promotion to assistant superintendent this spring.
She doesn’t intend to stop there. Carroll’s goal is to become a superintendent at Robins & Morton, overseeing her own projects from start to finish. While the number of women in construction still hovers at 10%, Carroll recognizes that percentage is even smaller for field supervisory roles.
“When people think of a construction superintendent, they still think of men,” Carroll said. “I would love to say, ‘Yes, that is my job.’”
Once an intern herself, Carroll now supervises interns and enjoys passing along the lessons she’s learned so far.
“I tell them to be a sponge,” Carroll said. “It’s all about developing future leaders here, and everybody in the company wants to help you grow to become one of those leaders.”
About Robins & Morton’s Co-op and Internship Program
Robins & Morton’s co-op and internship program was established more than 50 years ago, and the company engage students from many colleges and universities each year. Leadership development is a core tenet of the company’s Building Forward® approach, and they recognize that supporting the next generation of builders is essential to the future of the construction industry.