This summer, college students interning in Mobile had the opportunity to grow professionally and personally through FuelAL: Mobile, a statewide initiative designed to connect young talent with local communities, employers and each other.

The program, organized by the Mobile Chamber and funded through the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama in partnership with Innovate Alabama, hosted networking events, professional development sessions and statewide summits to help interns gain a deeper understanding of the career and lifestyle opportunities available in Alabama.

For Kyle Hamilton, a mechanical engineering student at the University of South Alabama interning with Hargrove Engineers and Constructors, FuelAL: Mobile offered a chance to meet people outside of his field.

“The meet and greets were really valuable,” Hamilton said. “I got to connect with people in marketing, supply chain and other industries I would not normally cross paths with. It gave me a better understanding of what other careers and businesses in Alabama look like.”

Hamilton pointed to FuelAL’s Birmingham Industry Summit as the most impactful event. The two-day gathering brought interns from across the state together to network, visit entrepreneurial hubs such as the Innovation Depot and learn about Alabama’s growing innovation ecosystem.

“Being able to see that kind of opportunity here in Alabama was amazing,” Hamilton said. “I did not know we had that here.”

FuelAL also encouraged interns to engage with their host city. Hamilton said the program helped him reconnect with peers in Mobile and deepened his desire to stay in the area after graduation.

“I love being down here by the coast, and the company I am interning for does a lot of community outreach,” Hamilton said. “That makes me want to stay even more because I know I am part of something that is giving back.”

Darby Pepper, a metallurgical engineering student at the University of Alabama co-oping at SSAB, echoed that sentiment. Pepper has participated in FuelAL for two years and said the experience has reshaped how she views Mobile.

“Sometimes when you grow up nearby, you think there is not much here,” Pepper said. “But through FuelAL: Mobile, I have seen the beauty and energy of downtown Mobile, especially at the Chamber. It makes it feel more like home.”

From mixers at Innovation Portal to outings at local attractions and businesses, FuelAL: Mobile events provided a balance of professional development and fun. Pepper said her first year in the program helped her bond with fellow co-ops at SSAB, while this year she expanded her network further through mixers and LinkedIn connections.

Both students emphasized the importance of the program in helping interns make lasting professional and personal connections.

“Even if you realize the field you are interning in is not for you, FuelAL helps you connect with professionals who can point you in the right direction,” Hamilton said. “I would recommend it to anyone.”

Both Pepper and Hamilton said they wished they had discovered FuelAL earlier in their college careers. With its mix of networking, professional development and exposure to what makes Mobile unique, FuelAL is equipping interns with more than work experience. It is showing them why Mobile is a place to build a future.

Highlights from FuelAL: Mobile 2025

• 117 FuelAL: Mobile interns
• 28 different employers
• 19 different colleges and universities represented
• 11 different states represented: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Texas