While at times difficult and uncertain, perseverance stayed true. As the summer of 2021 comes to a close, we sat down with three interns from Boston, MA, two of which also interned with Gilbane last summer during the height of the pandemic. . Meet Emily Beck, Katherine Bishop, and Christopher Jennings, as they share their experiences from the past two summers, and what they have learned interning during a global pandemic.
The culture of safety remains paramount
Emily: “One of the very first things we learned on the first day of our internship is that safety is Gilbane’s number one priority; it is embedded into each of the core values. Not only were we provided the resources to keep our workspaces clean and maintain appropriate distances, it was reassuring to see how committed everyone on the Gilbane team was to safety and following protocols. It was everyone’s responsibility!”
Katherine: “I also interned last summer and had the awesome opportunity to work at our MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park project in Boston. The job experienced a temporary pause in operations, along with all other jobs in the city. When we were able to return to the site, we were provided with N95 masks, which was great and so appreciated because at that point, masks were still difficult to find.”
Christopher: “Last summer I was assigned to our UMass Boston Substructure Demolition and Quadrangle Development (SDQD) project. Our leadership team purchased numerous air purifiers with HEPA filters and monitored the capacity of our job site trailer. This showed initiative in a developing situation, which I personally appreciated.”
The new experiences prepare you for an ever-changing world
Emily: “I think that working through a global pandemic offered me even more unique experience; I learned what it is like to work through times of unprecedented uncertainty, which will prepare me for my future. Working with the marketing team, I was able to use a hybrid schedule, which means some days I worked remotely – something that probably would not have happened before the pandemic. The opportunity to work in a traditional group setting and independently allowed me flexibility with projects and tasks. I learned the importance of staying focused, discipline, and time management. This has prepared me for the future because I have learned how to adapt quickly to tasks and situations that have come my way.”
Katherine: “When the job I was assigned to had a pause in operations, I didn’t know what to expect. But I quickly learned that there is so much to be accomplished, even when a project’s actual construction is on hold. Before, I didn’t comprehend the full scope of construction and the documentation and organization that is necessary for a successful job. Even while I was working remotely for part of last summer, I was still offered an amazing learning opportunity. This was a silver lining to the pandemic. I feel as though I learned so much more!”
Adapting, reflecting, and moving forward
Emily: “If COVID-19 has taught us one thing, it is the ability to adapt. Interning throughout a global pandemic allowed us to experience firsthand what it takes to pivot in the face of adversity. The Gilbane team remained resilient, and that is a great life lesson for us all. While we have not reached the end of COVID-19, we are beginning to tailor our lives to the new normal. The experiences and opportunities from our internships will last us a lifetime.”
Christopher: “In the end, it’s a pretty cool and surreal experience to have been able to work on site during the height of the pandemic. Not many people in the world were working, and there was a sort of pride for those of us out there working to keep projects moving forward. When I think back to last summer, and how different it was compared to this summer, my personal sense of pride is a reflection of the hardworking and dedicated employees that I have had the opportunity to work with at Gilbane.”
We invest in your future
Each year, Gilbane provides over 200 internships that offer unique hands-on experience on real projects, while working side-by-side with our teams and clients. We offer award-winning training and professional development tools, that include hundreds of courses relating to our culture, best practices, and technical skills. Click here to learn more!
