Construction internships are increasingly giving students exposure to multiple stages of project delivery, and W. M. Jordan is using its program to provide experience in both preconstruction and field operations.
Calvin Lewis, a second-year intern with W. M. Jordan, spent his first summer in the company's Richmond office working with the estimating team. That assignment provided experience with cost planning and the work that takes place before construction begins.
Lewis is now working in the field on two Bank of America projects in Virginia, giving him direct exposure to construction execution and project coordination.
Lewis is supporting a boiler replacement project in Richmond and a chiller replacement project in Sandston. His duties include coordinating with trade partners, assisting with safety reports and working with the project management team.
The assignments allow Lewis to connect estimating experience with field activities, providing exposure to how project planning translates into construction work.
His background also includes prior experience on framing and drywall projects. Although his undergraduate education focused on agricultural technology and marketing, he is now pursuing a master's degree in construction management.
Exposure to both estimating and field operations gives construction interns insight into the different functions involved in delivering projects. For contractors, programs that provide this type of experience can introduce students to career paths beyond traditional construction-management degree programs.
Lewis plans to continue developing his construction-management skills and has expressed interest in returning to W. M. Jordan after completing his education.
For construction employers, internship programs provide an opportunity to introduce students to project delivery, safety, trade coordination and preconstruction while developing potential candidates for future industry roles.
Source: W.M. Jordon.
