Investing in the next generation of engineering professionals is just as important as supporting the continued growth of DRMP’s established experts. That’s why the firm has built a strong Learning & Development (L&D) program that includes Lunch & Learns, targeted training sessions, business development bootcamps, and internship and mentorship programs that support continuing education and career growth.
From day one, employees are empowered to learn and grow through a comprehensive onboarding experience that includes a well-rounded orientation highlighting the firm's continuing education, team building, book club, enneagram workshops, teambuilding activities; full access to the firm’s in-house learning management system; and ongoing professional development opportunities aligned with their roles and long-term career growth.
Business development bootcamps are offered throughout the year to equip employees with tools to strengthen client relationships and sharpen pursuit strategies, helping align with the evolving needs of DRMP’s clients. The firm’s mentorship and internship programs connect employees with leaders inside and outside of their areas of expertise to encourage broader knowledge. And Lunch & Learn sessions provide employees with continuing education and training so they can gain exposure to new ideas, technologies, and best practices. These sometimes include ‘101’ sessions introducing the various disciplines and business services within DRMP, giving employees a greater understanding and appreciation for all departments.
“Learning isn’t one-size-fits-all,” DRMP Learning & Development Specialist Jake Burton said. “Everyone learns differently. Our job is to meet people where they are and help them grow in the direction they choose.”
Developing the Next Generation
As part of its long-term strategy, DRMP invests in early-career development through an intern program that offers students and young professionals valuable project experience. Interns receive onboarding, hands-on training, and mentorship tailored to their interests, along with opportunities to explore different disciplines and observe how teams collaborate.
DRMP supports interns in building technical skills and workplace readiness. For example, the firm provides LinkedIn training to help interns craft a professional digital presence that not only highlights their individual accomplishments but also effectively promotes their experience within the intern program.
“Our goal from the beginning was to create a program that reflects the way we work –collaborative, intentional, and people-focused,” said DRMP Senior Human Resources Specialist Sabrina Brandenburg, PHR. “By exposing interns to the real dynamics of our projects and teams, we’re helping them develop practical skills and a grounded understanding of how work really gets done.”
Interns complete the program better prepared to return to school or transition into full-time roles. They also present their work to leadership, demonstrating their contributions and readiness for future opportunities.
DRMP maintains engagement with interns after the program through follow-ups, events, and ongoing touchpoints to keep the firm top of mind. Many interns go on to join DRMP as full-time employees.
Equipping Professionals at All Levels
The firm’s Business Development bootcamps are designed to help employees sharpen their client-facing skills. The bootcamps provide employees with tools to build valuable and lasting client relationships, understand market dynamics, and refine pursuit strategies to the needs of clients.
DRMP Traffic Analysis Project Manager Caroline Cheeves, PE, said she’s excited to apply what she’s learned from the bootcamp to her role.
“There’s always room to grow, and I’m looking forward to these tips and tricks to strengthen my current relationships with my clients and to continue to meet new people and build more relationships,” she said.
DRMP also provides employees with a variety of tools to build and promote themselves as thought leaders. This includes social media training, press release announcements highlighting professional involvement and career milestones, and opportunities for speaking engagements. In addition, the firm encourages its staff to share their expertise by becoming authors for the firm’s DRMPerspective blog, offering a platform to showcase their projects and insights to a broader audience.
Investing in Professional Involvement
DRMP promotes employee engagement in professional organizations as an important part of the firm’s business development. This involvement is encouraged during employee annual performance reviews.
Consequently, many of DRMP’s employees hold prominent leadership positions within A/E/C industry organizations, leveraging their expertise to contribute to industry progress and innovation.
DRMP Senior Vice President Amanda Woods, PE, has been the director of advancement for the WTS Central Florida Chapter since last year. She became involved with WTS in 2015 and regularly attended networking events and luncheons. In her current role, Woods oversees the scholarship, student liaison, and Transportation You committees, which encourage middle school, high school, and college students to start networking and engaging with the transportation industry early on.
“We encourage DRMP employees to get involved in industry organizations because it helps them stay connected to the industry, give back, grow professionally, and develop as leaders,” Woods said. “It’s about being part of the larger conversation in transportation and supporting the future of the profession.”
Engagement in professional organizations offers numerous advantages, including opportunities for career development, networking, continuing education, and a robust support network. Serving in leadership roles not only enhances our employees’ credibility and visibility but also strengthens their influence and impact across the A/E/C sector.
Excellence Recognized
DRMP’s commitment to developing professionals at every level directly contributes to the firm’s ability to deliver innovative, high-quality solutions to enhance communities. The investment in continuous learning, mentorship, and business development builds high-performing experts capable of solving complex infrastructure challenges with confidence.
This investment has contributed to industry recognition for a wide range of projects. For example, the Wekiva Parkway Section 8 Interchange Design-Build project, which completed the final link in Orlando’s beltway system in Central Florida, has won multiple awards including, the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Florida Region Project of the Year in the Transportation – Structures category; the 2025 National Award of Merit from DBIA in the Transportation (Other than Aviation) category; Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) Highway/Bridge Award of Merit in 2025 Regional Best Projects Competition; Florida Transportation Builders’ Association (FTBA) Best in Construction Award for Design-Build 2025; and the 2025 Outstanding Design-Build or Construction Manager at Risk Project Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida (ACEC-FL) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
The I-4 at SR 557 Interchange Design-Build project, which realigned I-4 to support future high-speed rail, widened SR 557, incorporated Polk County’s first wildlife crossing, and achieved $1 million in cost savings through an innovative design-build approach, has also earned multiple honors, including the 2025 DBIA Florida Region Honor Award in the Transportation – Structures category; the 2025 Outstanding Environmental Project Award from ACEC-FL and FDOT; and a 2025 Engineering Excellence Honor Award from ACEC-FL. These are just a couple of examples of the many high-profile award-winning projects DRMP has designed.
These project honors reflect not only technical excellence but also the strength of DRMP’s people-focused culture – one that empowers employees to learn, lead, and deliver exceptional work throughout the course of their careers.
By continually investing in its people, DRMP ensures its legacy of excellence continues through the next generation of engineering professionals.
