A single classroom talk about asbestos turns into a summer internship that changes how a student sees his future and how the rest of us should think about building safety. We sit down with Shelley Hines from DCG Environmental and her intern Jorge to unpack what environmental testing really looks like day to day, from first conversations with property owners to stepping onto active job sites where every trade has a role and every decision has a safety impact.

We walk through how Jorge was selected through a Dallas ISD partnership, why curiosity matters more than having the perfect resume, and what he learned once he arrived. You will hear how asbestos testing and mold inspections often happen at the start of a project, why documentation and communication are as important as field skills, and how training can include everything from organizing data and joining marketing meetings to getting a supervised look at sampling tools during an asbestos inspection. Jorge also shares the honest moment of feeling intimidated on a large job walk as the only student there, then building confidence through support, introductions, and simply showing up with a good attitude.

Along the way, we talk about the behind-the-scenes reality of running a small business in the construction and environmental health space: being booked and busy, leading as a woman in the field, and mentoring beyond the job description. That includes real-world guidance on personal credit and banking basics, plus a fun glimpse of an office culture where technology and AI tips can flow upward from intern to CEO, and where a couple of calm “furry assistants” make tough days easier.

If you care about indoor air quality, asbestos and mold risk, construction careers, or mentorship that actually helps people grow, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about what “safety” means. Subscribe for more, share this with someone exploring the trades, and leave a review with the career question you want us to tackle next.

To learn more about DCG Environmental visit:
https://www.DCGEnvironmental.com
DCG Environmental
Serving Property Owners in Dallas, Houston, and Austin
972-876-0008