What does it take to build and maintain a successful internship program in one of the country’s most competitive industries?
For Ideal Contracting, it starts with a commitment to the personal and professional growth of each intern that walks through our doors.
In today’s construction landscape, there is a surge in demand for professional talent, both in the field and in the office. In fact, the construction industry needs to attract an estimated 439,000+ new workers in 2025 in order to meet the growing demand for construction services across the country, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors.
This has created a dynamic environment where companies are not only competing to attract talented students from high schools and colleges, but students themselves are carefully evaluating which firms will best support their career aspirations and align with their values.
That’s where Ideal Contracting’s Build U Internship program stands out. As a family-owned and nationally recognized general contractor and steel erector, we take pride in immersing our interns in all facets of construction and aiding in their personal and professional success. While many internships focus on observation, Build U is built around the interns’ participation.
“You aren’t just on one job doing the same mundane tasks day in and day out,” says Jim Muer, Senior Project Manager and one of the leaders of the Build U program. “Our Build U interns are exposed to different processes, different vendors, different programs, and different learning opportunities. This includes visits to local skilled trade union facilities, frequent trainings on relevant topics, team-building outings, and so much more.”
This well-rounded exposure is a key differentiator of the Build U program, not only in giving our interns real-world insights but also in helping them learn how to build connections, solve problems, and understand the value of teamwork. At the end of the day, it’s more about building people than just building projects. You can’t build anything without the foundation of a strong, skilled, and connected team.
To support their continued growth, each Build U intern is paired with a mentor, someone who understands the challenges faced by young professionals just getting their start in such a fast-paced and multifaceted industry. And what we often hear is how much our interns and their mentors can learn from each other. That mutual exchange is key to fostering relationships amongst our team and reinforcing the family values that define our company.
“Mentors get just as much out of it as the students,” says Muer. “We have all had that person in our careers who took us under their wing and mentored us, and when we get the opportunity to be that person for others, it’s fulfilling.”
And while each intern has a dedicated mentor, the learning doesn’t stop there. Throughout the Summer, Build U interns gain hands-on experience from a variety of people and interactions. One day they might be learning how to weld and cut steel at the Local 25 Ironworkers Training Facility; the next, they’re on-site collaborating with our customers and project partners to solve real-world challenges. It’s really that dynamic.
“The most rewarding part of leading the Build U Internship Program is witnessing each student's growth over just a few short months,” says Rachel Gutierrez, Director of Marketing and lead of the Build U program. “This initiative is truly company-wide, in which every person in the company, from ownership down, shares their knowledge and offers guidance. We’re all invested in helping these students succeed and make meaningful contributions to the industry.”
With 85% of our interns joining Ideal Contracting in full-time positions upon graduation, we’ve truly tried to build a program that looks beyond the work and connects and resonates with each person on an individual level. Many of our interns have gone on to lead some of the industry’s most impactful projects while continuing to expand their knowledge and even become mentors for the next generation of young construction professionals.
“The Build U Internship program was the best decision I have ever made,” says Angelina Pink, Safety Manager and former Build U intern. “At first, I was nervous to enter the construction industry, but I was surrounded by the greatest people who only wanted to see me succeed. The people of Ideal Contracting helped me do just that.”
Whether you’re a construction management student looking to apply your skills, a safety student eager to experience jobsite safety firsthand, or someone exploring a skilled trade, the Ideal team is focused on building our people.
“The fact that so many of our interns have stayed on with us to become successful project engineers, project managers, assistant project managers, safety professionals—the list goes on,” says Muer. “It’s always wonderful to see their growth and advancement within Ideal and the industry.”
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