Building Your Career: Gilbane Interns Discuss Life in the Built Environment 

In honor of National Intern Day, we’re celebrating Gilbane’s 2026 summer intern class—284 interns representing 142 colleges and universities—and the experiences, skills, and connections they’ve built throughout the summer. At Gilbane, investing in the next generation of industry professionals is more than a priority; it’s part of who we are. Through hands-on internships across project sites and offices nationwide, students work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to meaningful projects, and gain firsthand exposure to the many career paths that shape the built environment. 

Whether you’re interested in working on an active job site, exploring financial modeling, or discovering one of the many other disciplines that shape the built environment, Gilbane gives interns the experience and knowledge to launch their careers with confidence. 

This year’s intern class spans project sites and offices across the country, from California to New York City, with students contributing in project management, finance, sales, marketing, accounting, construction, and many other disciplines. Breaking into a new industry can feel intimidating, especially when you don’t yet know what questions to ask. To help answer those questions, Gilbane’s interns sat down with one another to share what they’ve learned throughout the summer. Here’s what they had to say. 

What does your day-to-day life as an intern look like, and what do you actually work on?  

My day-to-day as a project management intern is a mix of being out in the field and working with our team to get the new student housing apartments ready for turnover. A big part of my role is completing punch lists and paying attention to lots of little details to identify any issues. I work with our contractors and project engineers to ensure these issues are corrected.  – Lilian Fairchild, Washington State University (Field Operations Intern)  

My day-to-day consists of moving around the job site, answering questions, working with field teams, and helping enforce safety requirements such as PPE and fall protection. I also assist with site housekeeping, OSHA and HECA inspections, incident reports, hot work permits, and crane pick plans. - Ryan Valentine, Keene State College (Safety Intern)  

A typical day as a Public-Private Partnership Development Intern involves financial modeling for both active and prospective deals, alongside participating in OAC and design meetings. I’ve also been developing a robust operating model that integrates live historical data, allowing property management teams to better anticipate operational performance as assets transition into operations. – Noah Senchack, New York University (Development Office NYC, P3)  

We surveyed 122 interns about their experience at Gilbane. 98% agreed that they are learning in their role, and respondents also reported feeling highly involved in their work.   

What surprised you the most about working in the development and construction industry?  

What’s surprised me most about development is how many people it takes behind the scenes to keep a property running smoothly once it’s built. I always thought of construction as the “main event,” but being on the accounting side has shown me that a huge amount of ongoing work such as tracking rent, reporting income, staying on top of leases, and much more, all happens quietly in the background for years after a project wraps up. It’s made me realize that finishing a building is just the beginning of its story, not the end. – Carah Leclair, Salve Regina University (Accounting Intern)  

What fascinated me most about development is its interdisciplinary nature. A developer brings together architects, engineers, urban planners, and countless other specialists to make a project possible. Gilbane’s internship program is the perfect way to get a sense of all aspects of the development industry, being immersed in everything spanning from financial modeling to construction to asset management. – Eric Vartany, Brown University (Affordable Housing Intern) 

The most surprising aspect was the diversity of backgrounds among professionals. Our weekly intern meetings allowed us to speak with a variety of Gilbane employees from a range of backgrounds, highlighting the many unique career paths within the industry. The industry is driven by experience, critical thinking, and active learning rather than a single predetermined path. –  Chase Gerstner, Carnegie Mellon University (Construction Intern) 

The internship experience is making an impact. 89% of surveyed college seniors are considering a full-time opportunity with Gilbane after graduation.  

What has been your favorite moment in your intern experience so far?  

My favorite part of my internship has been seeing how much the buildings have progressed since my first day on site. It has been rewarding to watch them evolve from active construction zones into finished spaces that are ready for students to move into. Being involved in unit inspections and punch list management has given me the opportunity to help ensure each unit is safe, functional, and ready for residents. Knowing that my work helps identify and resolve issues before move-in has made it especially meaningful to see the project come together and become a place people will soon call home. – Ryan Osborn, Washington State University (Field Operations Intern)  

I loved getting to know my coworkers outside the office, from a trip to a Yankee’s game, our weekly kickball league wins, to an office-wide spelling bee, each week gave me new things to do and people to meet which made the summer fly by!  – Peyton Whittet, University of Wisconsin - Madison (Marketing Intern)  

My favorite moment was going on to the job site, being in the office atmosphere you get to see a lot of the behind-the-scenes work. Visiting project sites showed me how the work we do in the office translates into real projects. Seeing those impacts firsthand made me realize the value of the work I contribute every day. - Dylan Michuki, Bryant University (Supply Chain Intern) 

No matter what you’re studying, there’s a place for you at Gilbane. Our interns represent a wide range of academic backgrounds, including business administration, economics, environmental studies, urban studies, English, and more. 

What piece of advice would you give to someone considering an internship with Gilbane?  

One piece of advice I would give to someone considering an internship with Gilbane is to come in with a willingness to learn. Take advantage of every opportunity to ask questions – the people at Gilbane are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely invested in helping you grow and succeed.  - Emma Schattschneider, Milwaukee School of Engineering (Construction II Intern)  

Core values were something that stood out to me, something I wanted to embody in my intern experience. The reputation for safety was something that stood out to me. Gilbane’s people-first culture was a huge draw for me. If you value culture, you should apply to Gilbane. - Lauren Ofgant, Clemson University (Accounting Intern)  

I’d encourage anyone considering an internship at Gilbane to go for it. I’ve broadened my knowledge in my field of study while discovering new career possibilities along the way.  - Jason Kuzmission, Pennsylvania State University (GIG Intern)  

As part of National Intern Day, this post was written by and for interns. Gilbane invests in its interns through meaningful, hands-on work.  If you’re looking for an internship where you can learn, contribute, and make a real impact from day one, explore internship and early career opportunities at Gilbane.  

Click here to learn more about opportunities for interns and recent graduates.