BEYOND THE BUILD | Construction Internships: How S. M. Wilson's Internship Program is Helping Build The Future

BEYOND THE BUILD | Construction Internships: How S. M. Wilson's Internship Program is Helping Build The Future

Internships for aspiring construction professionals offer a blend of learning and professional development opportunities. They have emerged as a cornerstone for cultivating the next generation of talent by bridging the gap between theory and practical application.?

“No matter what career path someone explores in the construction industry, a soon-to-be graduate or a person interested in entering the industry should consider an internship or shadowing opportunity before investing time and money into the field,” said Diana Wilhold, Deputy Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer with Construction Forum.?

“That firsthand experience enhances the decision-making process for the individual, allowing them to learn what aspect of the industry they might like. An internship also allows the intern to determine if that company is a good fit for them and if the work the company provides is their area of interest.”

For an employer, these internships offer vital tools and a better understanding of attracting, nurturing, and retaining fresh talent. This ensures a steady pipeline of skilled workforce ready to tackle the industry’s future challenges.?

GAINING REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

S. M. Wilson offers internships for undergraduate and graduate students interested in a career in the construction industry to promote interest, expand minds and deliver a more hands-on experience. Offered from May through August, these internships have resulted in multiple summers spent with the company and then full-time positions upon graduation. Other intern opportunities include cooperative programs for those students within driving distance of the company’s main office or projects close to their school.?

“Our program offers our interns the opportunity to learn in the field and the office. Our interns are provided the experiences to assist in continuing their education outside the classroom and starting a career in the construction industry,” said Maggie Farrell, Human Resources and Diversity Manager.?

“Our team members work to bring these interns into the folds of a project each summer to give them a true understanding of the field they are studying and the direction their lives may go if they choose to continue.”?

Over the last seven years, S. M. Wilson has welcomed 40 college interns through the program. Many have gone on to accept full-time positions with the company after graduation.?

This summer, S. M. Wilson had eight summer college interns from universities, including Missouri S&T, Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), and Alabama A&M.?

BENEFICIAL FOR ALL PARTIES

Internships allow students to cultivate skills and gain a more in-depth industry perspective. They also give students valuable experiences and a chance to find their footing before entering the workplace with potential new employers.

“The interns will experience working in that company’s culture and procedures. In turn, if the intern is successful at work and makes great connections, that employee will be more likely to hire that intern once they graduate. The company hosting that intern is putting in the time and money as they would with any other new employee. Employees also have the opportunity to see what is working and not working for the retention of their company, “ said Amber Parker, Workforce Development Program Manager with the Associated General Contractors in Missouri (AGCMO).

Wilhold agreed that every person a company connects with should be viewed as a potential team member who could fill a future open position.?

“Just as it's important to the company, a soon-to-be graduate should take the opportunity to learn and accept an internship or network to have the ability to job shadow several companies for pure exposure and knowledge growth in all aspects of the build,” Wilhold said. “Not every company performs work the same way, nor do they specialize in the same type of build. An intern can get an idea of the type of work they might be doing and the colleagues they might soon be working with.”

ENHANCING THE EXPERIENCE

“We are providing these interns with real-world experiences and the on-the-job training meant to assist them in their journey toward a future in construction. Our team members are committed to giving these students all the necessary tools and information to move toward those careers,” said Jason Gasawski, Director of Operations with S. M. Wilson.?

As the summer drew to a close, each intern had different takeaways about what they enjoyed most about their experience.?

“I enjoyed the community outreach and making a difference in my project,” said Ciarrah Bell, a civil engineering student at Missouri S&T and a second-year intern with the program.?

Bell was a project engineer intern with the team at Columbia Public School’s new Southwest Elementary School, a joint venture project with Reinhardt Construction. In June, Reinhardt/Wilson team members volunteered in Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity’s first Women Build 2024, where more than 100 female volunteers constructed three houses together.?

Intern Grant Millsap worked with the Jerseyville Public Library team this summer. The company’s culture and people were the most enjoyable parts of his experience. Millsap also learned about the importance of communication on a project.??

“It was not an aspect I was expecting to work on while I was here, but I learned a lot about effective communication between different parties,” said Millsap, studying architectural engineering at Missouri S&T. “(S. M. Wilson’s) mentor system is a great way to help new team members learn and also give them independence.”?

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE

Building relationships is crucial in an industry such as construction, where collaboration is critical. Internships allow students to network with industry professionals, such as engineers, project managers, architects, and contractors. These connections often lead to mentorship, job offers and long-term professional relationships.

“The construction industry is very competitive when attracting professionals of all levels. Making a connection with a local candidate to fill an internship position could and would help grow our workforce and improve economic development,” said Wilhold when asked if increased college internship opportunities may be one of the keys to helping the construction labor shortage. “If we are trying to keep our young adults local, we must consider other processes of attracting and keeping candidates local.”?

Making those connections was one of the best aspects of intern Sam Gentges's internship—connecting personally with his project teams throughout the summer and experiencing several aspects of the construction process.

“I've learned a lot goes on beyond the construction site,” said Gentges, a Missouri S&T student studying civil engineering and construction management. “Things such as submittals, RFIs, procurement, finances and estimates, and preconstruction, all completed in some capacity to manage projects and make them successful. I believe being well-rounded and not one-dimensional is required to succeed in this career path."

THE RIGHT FIT

Do you have a college student studying civil engineering or construction management or any of the many careers in construction who would benefit from the on-the-job training received during an internship??

Check out S. M. Wilson’s intern video, highlighting this year’s interns and their experiences and takeaways.?

S. M. Wilson Internship Video

S. M. Wilson participates in several career fairs throughout the fall and spring, recruiting candidates for the following summer’s internship program. Our team members will be available to speak to students at career fairs during the 2024-2025 school year, hosted at Missouri State University, Missouri S&T, SIUE, Kansas University, Lincoln University, Ranken Technical Institute, and State Tech.?

For more information about S. M. Wilson’s Internship program, contact Maggie Farrell, Human Resources and Diversity Manager, at [email protected].?

S. M. Wilson is a full-service construction management, design/build, and general contracting firm with offices in St. Louis, MO, and Edwardsville, IL. Founded in 1921, S. M. Wilson is dedicated to exceeding clients' expectations by putting people first. The 100% employee-owned company is one of the leading construction management firms in the Midwest. For more information, visit www.smwilson.com.