BYU–Hawaii has partnered with the Church’s Meetinghouse Facilities Department (MFD), to provide students with first-hand internship experience alongside full-time professionals across the Asia-Pacific region.
The Meetinghouse Facilities Department oversees the maintenance and operation of Church facilities outside temples and universities. They oversee meetinghouses, stake centers, institute buildings, and missionary training centers (MTC). Through this partnership, students can apply their academic knowledge and develop skills in a real-world setting throughout the world.
Building the Partnership
The partnership began to take shape earlier this year when Eric Conrad, managing director for the Meetinghouse Facilities Department, visited campus with his team to meet with construction facilities management students. Conrad introduced students to different opportunities within the construction industry.
Since then, students have taken on responsibilities ranging from evaluating project schedules to architecture-related tasks and permitting, according to Ikaia Nawahine, career planner and placement manager at Career Services. “It’s still early in the partnership, and we’re still figuring out how to navigate that. But from what I understand so far, the students who are interning are doing great, and it could very well lead to full-time roles in their home countries.”
Learning by Doing
For Bless M. Gracer, a junior from the Philippines majoring in construction and facilities management, the experience has given her a solid understanding of the MFD process, the property life cycle, and the basics of construction management.
“I’ve also gained hands-on experience with industry tools and completed my IFMA Essentials certification, which has strengthened my technical and professional skills,” she said.
Adding to that sentiment, Christian Jay Adayo Tanicala, a junior from the Philippines also majoring in construction and facilities management, said the internship's realities prepared him for his future career. “One of the biggest things I’ve gained is experiencing the reality of facilities and construction management—not just the theories I’ve learned in class,” he said. “I’ve strengthened my communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills while working with facilities managers, vendors, and Church leaders.”
Live and Lead
Both students credit BYU–Hawaii for preparing them for this opportunity and look forward to making an impact in their home countries. “BYU–Hawaii prepared me tremendously for this internship,” said Tanicala. “One lesson that has always stayed with me is that construction and facilities management isn’t just about constructing buildings—it’s about managing people, relationships, resources, and systems.”
That perspective ties directly into the internship's larger purpose for many students. Tanicala has long planned to return to the Philippines after graduation. “I’ve always wanted to come back home to the Philippines and serve my own country,” continued Tanicala.
Similarly, Gracer said BYU–Hawaii gave her a strong foundation before she ever set foot in the “real world.” “This internship has deepened my commitment to pursuing a professional career in facilities management and asset planning by giving me a comprehensive view of global property oversight and capital project management,” she said.
Preparing for the Future
As they continue gaining experience through their internships, both students encouraged others to make the most of similar opportunities. Gracer suggested staying engaged with university networking opportunities and getting involved in both the administrative and field-based sides of facilities management. Tanicala added, “Be willing to learn, stay humble, and always be teachable. The people you’ll work with have decades of experience, and if you’re willing to learn from them, you’ll grow tremendously.”
