Construction management major offered unique internship experience with Connico
July 13, 2022 | by Natalie Frels-Busby
This summer, senior construction management major Elie Germain was offered an internship with , a consulting service to owners, engineers, architects and planners, in Mt. Juliet in Tennessee. As he prepares for the future, Germain shares an inside look into his journey to Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô and his experience at the company.
Q: Can you tell me about your background?
A: I was raised in Houston and was born in Orlando, Florida. I come from a decent Haitian family.
Q: What attracted you to LU?
A: I was drawn to Lamar based on its affordability; it was well within the budget that I planned on paying for college. In addition, it is just an hour and a half drive from Houston, so I can go home on the weekends to my leisure.
Q: What interested you in construction management?
A: Since I was younger, I've always been hands-on. Besides the job stability, what I love about the construction industry is being able to solve problems and seeing the projects you work on becoming a reality. Every day there is an opportunity to learn something new. It's also so rewarding seeing your creations on paper taking shape in real life.
Q: How did you hear about this internship opportunity?
A: An email was sent out from Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô’s (Center for Career and Professional Development) for the Houston-area virtual job fair. I attended initially to practice for the construction management career fair the next day.
Q: What attracted you to the position?
A: The opportunities I would have to travel, the option to work some days at home during the week and the chance to have hands-on experience in the field and the office.
Q: What are some of your responsibilities?
A: I assist in assembling and analyzing cost estimates, market surveys or schedules and accompanying reports; collaborate extensively with other employees to learn and develop professionally; help research, manipulate and maintain cost data; participate with other Connico employees in client meetings to understand client relationships; assist in performing local onsite construction observation or make local construction site visits, to name a few.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this experience?
A: I hope to gain more field experience in the construction industry. Connico is my first internship and I am nearing graduation. Although I've grasped the concept in the classroom now, I think it is time to see what I've learned put to work in the field. I believe in-field experience is where you learn the most.
Q: How do you feel LU has prepared you for this opportunity? For your future success?
A: Outside of my learning, LU has helped me prepare for this opportunity in numerous ways, such as getting me a headshot, setting up my LinkedIn and helping with mock interviews before actual interviews. In addition, whenever I needed assistance, I would go to the career center and speak with Ms. Nicole (Kyles-Burton) and she would give me advice or knowledge on my questions.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I plan to become a project manager and lead a project, travel the nation to places I haven't been and become indispensable at whatever company I decide to work for in the future.
Q: Can you tell me about your background?
A: I was raised in Houston and was born in Orlando, Florida. I come from a decent Haitian family.
Q: What attracted you to LU?
A: I was drawn to Lamar based on its affordability; it was well within the budget that I planned on paying for college. In addition, it is just an hour and a half drive from Houston, so I can go home on the weekends to my leisure.
Q: What interested you in construction management?A: Since I was younger, I've always been hands-on. Besides the job stability, what I love about the construction industry is being able to solve problems and seeing the projects you work on becoming a reality. Every day there is an opportunity to learn something new. It's also so rewarding seeing your creations on paper taking shape in real life.
Q: How did you hear about this internship opportunity?
A: An email was sent out from Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô’s (Center for Career and Professional Development) for the Houston-area virtual job fair. I attended initially to practice for the construction management career fair the next day.
Q: What attracted you to the position?
A: The opportunities I would have to travel, the option to work some days at home during the week and the chance to have hands-on experience in the field and the office.
Q: What are some of your responsibilities?
A: I assist in assembling and analyzing cost estimates, market surveys or schedules and accompanying reports; collaborate extensively with other employees to learn and develop professionally; help research, manipulate and maintain cost data; participate with other Connico employees in client meetings to understand client relationships; assist in performing local onsite construction observation or make local construction site visits, to name a few.
Q: What do you hope to gain from this experience?
A: I hope to gain more field experience in the construction industry. Connico is my first internship and I am nearing graduation. Although I've grasped the concept in the classroom now, I think it is time to see what I've learned put to work in the field. I believe in-field experience is where you learn the most.
Q: How do you feel LU has prepared you for this opportunity? For your future success?
A: Outside of my learning, LU has helped me prepare for this opportunity in numerous ways, such as getting me a headshot, setting up my LinkedIn and helping with mock interviews before actual interviews. In addition, whenever I needed assistance, I would go to the career center and speak with Ms. Nicole (Kyles-Burton) and she would give me advice or knowledge on my questions.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I plan to become a project manager and lead a project, travel the nation to places I haven't been and become indispensable at whatever company I decide to work for in the future.