Megan Golinowski is a senior majoring in Construction Engineering and Management at Virginia Tech. Megan spent her summer working for a general contractor based in Ijamsville, Maryland. Megan worked directly with the Project Engineer and Superintendent of Dustin Construction, Inc. and was on-site for the rennovations and addition to Langley High School in McLean, Virginia.
Dustin is a family-owned and operated company in the D.C. Metropolitan area that has worked on a wide variety of commercial, government and private projects. Their company has a specific emphasis on educational buildings and their extensive portfolio includes numerous projects related to renovating, adding to and building new academic related facilities.
Q: What are some of the interesting things you were able to see and/or do while on the job?
Golinowski: I spent one hundred percent of my time in the field and on-site which allowed me to see the construction task and management techniques in practice every day. I spent a lot of my time with the subcontractors and documenting their progress and observing the work of each trade. I saw everything from prepping and placing concrete slabs, structural demolition and installation of electrical wiring and finishes.
I also learned how to operate the Bobcat and was able to help transport materials on-site. It was fun to be an equipment operator which is not something that everyone gets a chance to do in their internships whether they are working in construction or another industry.
Q: What are some of the most important things you learned during your internship?
Golinowski: I learned that organization and diligence are the two most important skills required for this industry. I have learned that construction involves many moving parts. For a project to operate smoothly and successfully, supervisors and managers need to be organized to keep track of the work progress and all involved parties. I noticed that hard work is really the driving force behind any project and it is imperative that everyone is diligent in their work to ensure the project progresses and ultimately finishes within expectations.
In addition to spending time with subcontractors, I was able to spend time with the owner’s representatives working through punch list items and attending progress meetings. It was meaningful to be able to speak with these various members of the project team and gain a better understanding of the interaction between the general contractor, owners and architects.
Q: How did being a student in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction prepare you for this internship?
Golinowski: As an MLSoC student I am fortunate to have professors and staff that encourage and support me in my experiences within the construction industry. I was able to share the entire process of my internship with my advisor and professors. They knew my situation from before the career fair and assisted when I was trying to decided what type of internship I desired. They were helpful throughout my interviews, offers, acceptance process, and even through the end of the internship. I have been able to share my experiences with them and their support means a lot to me.
Another benefit of being a CEM student in MLSoC is the support from my peers and friends who are also studying CEM and BC. I have become close with some of my fellow CEM seniors through classes and group projects and it has been incredibly helpful to have their support both through school and work. We challenge each other both inside and outside of the classroom which has helped me to better prepare myself for both my internships and future career in this industry.
As a woman, it is especially helpful to be studying at Virginia Tech with women who have similar career goals. We share experiences and encourage each other. I have been able to discuss the challenges and benefits of being a woman in construction with my peers, professors and alumni who have all experienced similar situations to myself and have motivated me to continue working hard so that I will succeed in this male dominated industry.
