Over the summer of 2024, I worked for Turner Construction in Portland, OR. My first semester at USC, I recruited for Turner at the Viterbi Career Fair and Turner Info Sessions on campus. From there, I was transferred to the Portland business unit and received an offer to intern in preconstruction in their main office. Over the summer, I worked to compile a feasibility report for a proposed renovation project and got to engage with colleagues in multiple stages of their career. This helped me solidify my interest in construction management and gave me skills to apply back to school.
Going into my sophomore year, I was lucky enough to have a return offer from Turner Construction. I will be returning to the Portland business unit, near my hometown. Building on my previous internship, I am looking forward to seeing how my work in preconstruction is applied to working in the field. I think I will find fulfillment in understanding how logistics plans, schedules, and estimates play into the job actually getting done. I hope to further solidify my career goals and gain more experience to apply to school. Most notably, I am looking forward to competing in the Construction Management Association of America’s (CMAA) Sparks competition in the spring of 2026. I think my internship will give me a good starting point for this competition. After the competition, I will be able to take the skills I learned and reapply them to my internship.
As for non-work plans, I am hoping to go camping and visit at least one of the National Parks near me. Although I have lived in Oregon my whole life, I have never been to Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is set to have restoration projects until 2029, so this would be the last summer for a while that I would be able to go. In the weeks between the end of the school year and my internship start date I want to go camping in Crater Lake. I am really excited to test my hiking knowledge in Oregon and be able to explore a place so close to my home. Additionally, I attend the St. Paul Rodeo every Fourth of July. This event has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. I get to catch up with hometown friends, watch people ride bulls, barrel race, and team rope.
Overall, I am hoping to have a relaxing, yet productive summer where I gain knowledge that will impact my future career interests, school skills, and outdoor knowledge.
Talk to you all next semester. Fight On!
