This course is a second-year course designed to provide hands-on work experience in building construction and construction management fields. Internships are an opportunity for students to link theory with practical experience. They are also designed to help students network with professionals, increasing opportunities for full-time employment after graduation. Internships are individually arranged by the student in collaboration with a construction management faculty member and a supervisor at the workplace.
“An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting.
Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate them.” (NACE Definition, NACEweb.og)
As such, internships provide students opportunities to explore career options through an engaged setting, they help students apply academic materials and skill to practical work situations, they provide valuable professional experience, and they develop interpersonal skills.
Students who participate in internship opportunities secure work more quickly and are promoted more rapidly than students who do not.
This will be determined collaboratively by student, faculty mentor, and job supervisor. The internship contract uses a student's academic and professional interests to serve as the intellectual starting points for developing a semester-long project. Together the student, faculty advisor, and worksite supervisor will design a project that meets the following criteria:1) Aligns with the student's academic program, 2) Offers the student an opportunity to significantly expand their current knowledge and skill set,3) Provides the student opportunities to apply academic knowledge to the workplace environment and job tasks; and4) Aligns with the student's professional pursuits.To qualify for this internship, a student must be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA); have completed 54 semester hours or have instructor permission; and ideally have completed coursework that relates to the work experience.
