Shaping Interns into Full-Time Professionals
In honor of National Intern Day, we are celebrating the growth and success of our past and current interns. This past year, 52 interns transitioned into full-time roles, ensuring their talent will continue to add value across the enterprise after they graduate.
At Gilbane, the internship program features hands-on learning and opportunities for students to work alongside industry professionals to gain real-world experience. These experiences help shape their success in future roles throughout their careers.
In 2024, Gilbane hired over 200 interns across various disciplines like project engineering, marketing, accounting, and preconstruction services. Gilbane interns are given a great introduction to what John Coughlin—senior director of business development and former intern—describes as “a very dynamic field where there is something new to learn every day.”
We are thrilled to celebrate our interns, their accomplishments, and the journey that has helped shape their careers as industry professionals. Creating a culture of learning and development is an essential part of Gilbane’s fostering career pathways throughout the program. We are pleased to share the thoughts of previous interns about their experiences with Gilbane before joining the team full-time.
Gilbane Internships and Future Construction Positions
How did Gilbane prepare you for your future job positions?
“My internship with Gilbane prepared me with soft skills development, with time management being one of them. Since we work on multiple projects at once, I had to learn that quickly. Communication was another skill I learned during my internship, namely how to communicate with trade contractors, other employees in Gilbane, and clients.”
Margot Richardson, Senior Estimator
“The team trusted me and let me run with a task. I could ask for help, and I could ask for feedback, which I often did, but they gave me the latitude to make a decision and to let an end product be mine. I got the latitude to make decisions and the outcomes are related to the decisions I made which is still relevant now.”
Ashley Phelps, Director of Supply Chain
Why a Career at Gilbane Building Company?
Why did you want to return to Gilbane, and what makes the company different from the others you have worked for?
“I wanted to come back to Gilbane because of how I was treated as an intern. I had two previous internships, and when I came to Gilbane, I felt at home. The organization of the company and the processes they have in place enhanced its culture. The way the team acted and cared for me made me feel right at home.”
Bryan Sandbach, Project Manager II
“Getting to see the project, see the intensity, see the fun that goes into building something, getting it done, and opening in time for school. That adrenaline rush was awesome, and I never looked back. It’s exciting to work with tremendous people towards a common goal.”
Kyle Merrill, Senior Vice President and Cleveland Business Unit Leader
“The family and the culture here is unlike any that you even hear about. The fact that they care about their employees, not only with our safety programs, but also with the benefits and how they treat people, is amazing.”
Claire Drexler, Project Engineer II
What Did Your Construction Internship Teach You?
What is the most important thing you learned as a Gilbane Building Company intern, and how does it apply today?
“Ask questions and step outside your comfort zone. Help in any instance you can and don’t stick to your intern role. Learn anything you can about the project and the roles.”
Yericka Cedeno, Project Engineer I
“I learned that my voice matters. I was able to explain what I wanted to do and what I wanted to learn. You can really make it your own. If you go along with what they tell you to do and don’t give any feedback on how it was, how the workload was, or if you want to switch gears, then you won’t be able to appreciate the whole internship experience.”
Bria King, Accountant II
Gilbane provides diverse internship opportunities, from positions in the local office to roles at active job sites. We recruit over 200 interns each year to prepare students for a career in construction after graduation. Since 2017, Gilbane Building Company has hired more than 300 interns as full-time hires, with over 50 staying at the company for over a decade.
We offer unique real-world experience, exceptional mentorship, and a caring workplace driven by our core values for young professionals to learn and grow. Gilbane is proud to play a pivotal role in developing the next generation of construction professionals for years to come.
Click here to learn more about internship opportunities at Gilbane.
Check out this video to hear more about what it’s like to be a Gilbane Building Company intern!
