When Sachse High School senior Nailah Davis and junior Sierra "Kai" Mejia stepped into the HKS offices this summer, they brought technical confidence and professional skills that immediately set them apart.

The two architecture students earned spots in the HKS Shadow Internship, a competitive two-week program that selected only about ten students from across the entire North Texas region.

They arrived as the only interns in the cohort already certified in Revit, an industry-standard building information modeling software professional architects use to create precise digital floor plans.

That advanced preparation came directly from Garland ISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) coursework at the Gilbreath-Reed Career and Technical Center (GRCTC) under teacher Erica Duncan, a former HKS employee who encouraged both students to apply.

"Out of the ten total interns, our two were the only students who were Revit Certified and able to confidently work in the software on their assigned projects," said Erica Duncan, Architecture and Engineering teacher at Sachse High School. "Their HKS mentors were incredibly impressed with them and let them know they are only hiring Revit-certified individuals in the future, placing our students in a strong position for future opportunities."

Beyond technical mastery, enrolled students at the GRCTC practice vital soft skills every day, including public speaking, business attire expectations, asking thoughtful questions, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.

By pairing industry credentials with professional workplace etiquette, Garland ISD CTE pathways ensure students are fully prepared for college classrooms, trade opportunities, or immediate entry into the workforce.

"This is an outstanding accomplishment and a great example of the impact Career and Technical Education can have when classroom learning, industry credentials, and real-world opportunities come together," said Sandra Thompson, Garland ISD CTE Coordinator. "The time and effort invested in preparing students to earn industry-recognized credentials give them not only technical skills, but a credential that truly helps them distinguish themselves in a competitive process."

Nailah, who discovered her passion for buildings while playing with Legos at age five, passed her Revit certification exam on her first attempt as a sophomore.

During her internship, Nailah joined the commercial mixed-use practice, learning to design spaces that blend retail, office, and living environments while studying real client presentation booklets to refine her pitch techniques.

Kai, who loved drawing as a child, discovered the deep creativity of architectural design through his GRCTC classes and decided to pursue the field after learning about the career options from Ms. Duncan.

During his internship, Kai joined the structures group, developing structural engineering concepts for Phase 2 of Klyde Warren Park and taking field trips to the park site and Toyota Stadium to observe active construction.

Throughout the two weeks, both students also shadowed finance, marketing, and design departments to understand how every part of a global firm connects.

On their final day, Nailah and Kai stepped out of their comfort zones to present their completed project designs to firm leadership, office staff, and collegiate interns.

Their software fluency, clear communication, and professional presence earned both students standing invitations to return to the program next summer.

"They were both asked to come back next summer," Duncan added. "It is so exciting to see their hard work pay off and put them well ahead of the crowd."

Reflecting on their journey, both students encourage other Garland ISD students to explore CTE courses and take the leap into fields they're curious about.

"Take the leap, but make sure you do your research to see what fits you," Nailah advised. "Architecture has so many different avenues, from art to building things, where you can make your own impact."

"Just go for it," Kai agreed. "There is nothing that can go wrong if you just try, and there is so much creative opportunity to learn once you get started."

Looking ahead, Nailah plans to major in architecture with a minor in construction science after graduation. At the same time, Kai aims to pursue an architecture degree in college as he continues expanding his design portfolio at the GRCTC this school year.