Clayton Native Builds His Future Close To Home

CLAYTON, N.C. – Parker Mann spends his summer walking construction sites across the Town where he grew up, learning firsthand how buildings are inspected and how those inspections help keep people safe. The Clayton High School graduate is turning his hometown into a classroom, gaining experience that is helping to shape the future he hopes to build.

This summer, Mann is interning with the Town of Clayton’s Inspections Department where he is working alongside experienced inspectors while preparing to begin his junior year at East Carolina University. As a construction management student, the opportunity has given him a clearer picture of where his career could lead.

For Mann, the internship felt like a natural fit. He grew up just minutes from Town Hall, and when his mother sent him a link to the internship program during spring break, he decided to apply.

“I have lived here my whole life, so it felt like the right place to learn,” said Mann. “Coming back and seeing the Town from this side has been a really good experience.”

While his college classes introduced him to construction management, spending each day in the field has brought those lessons to life. From visiting residential construction sites to learning how building codes protect future homeowners, every inspection has added something new to his understanding of the industry.

“It is completely different from sitting in a classroom,” said Mann. “I learn by seeing it, doing it, and having someone explain it while we are standing there. That has helped everything click for me.”

One of his first inspections was also one of the most challenging. He worked alongside inspectors reviewing roof framing plans, matching detailed engineering drawings to the construction taking place overhead. It was a reminder that every detail matters and that there is always something new to learn.

That hands-on experience has also helped Mann better understand the work happening across the community where he grew up. One neighborhood he now visits for inspections sits on land where he spent time playing as a child.

“It is pretty special,” said Mann. “I remember this area before the homes were here, and now I get to see families building their future. It makes me want the best for the people who live here.”

Working inside Town Hall has also changed the way he views local government. As a resident, he always believed people wanted what was best for the community. After spending the summer alongside Town employees, he says that belief has only grown stronger.

“Everybody is working toward the same goal,” said Mann. “Even when people have different opinions, it always comes back to keeping the community safe and doing what is right.”

Although Mann is still exploring exactly where his degree will take him, the internship has helped narrow his career path. He hopes to become a construction project manager one day and believes the experience will help him build stronger relationships with inspectors and contractors throughout his career.

“This internship has given me the knowledge I will use no matter where I end up,” said Mann. “The people here are not just teaching me how to do a job today. They are helping me become better prepared for whatever comes next.”

He also hopes other college students will consider applying for future internships with the Town of Clayton.

“If you want to learn, this is a great place to be,” said Mann. “People here want to see you succeed. They take the time to teach you because they care about helping you grow.”

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, paid internships significantly improve a student’s chance of receiving a full-time job offer after graduation. For students like Mann, they also provide something just as valuable: the chance to discover a career path while making a difference in the community they call home.