Development Of An Internship Program

Specific To The School Of Engineering, Computing, And Construction Management At Roger Williams University

History

The SECCM Internship Program, and the Internship Coordinator Position, was begun as the result of a generous contribution from O. Ahlborg & Sons. The SECCM Internship Program works directly with Roger Williams Career Services and Academic Offices. These offices will oversee and maintain the requirements and roles of the students, industry organizations, and guidelines set forth by Roger Williams University.

The SECCM Internship Program is specifically designed for Engineering and Construction Management students. Industry Advisory Boards, Alumni, and Industry Representatives are consulted for content, rigors of course prerequisites, and support.

SECCM Internship Program

The Ahlborg Internship Coordinator, in conjunction with Career Services and Development Offices, is responsible for the coordination and recruitment of qualified students involved in this program. This program is not limited solely to upper classmen, however is open to students based on industry needs and qualifying processes. Students may do multiple internships while attending Roger Williams University.

Internships:

The Internship program enables full-time students in good academic standing to earn academic credit through approved employment in their field of study. While integral to some degree programs, cooperative education is not required by all programs. The cooperative education experience is approved in advance by Career Center staff and the Ahlborg Internship Coordinator. Students first complete an orientation to experiential learning. Cooperative education assignments must be of sufficient duration (135hrs.), usually one semester, and must be considered a meaningful part of the academic program in which the student is enrolled. Normally students are engaged full-time during the summer months. Employers are expected to compensate students at a rate comparable to that paid to employees who do similar work. However, a student may work without pay.

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Two semesters of study at Roger Williams University with satisfactory performance is prerequisite to cooperative education participation.

Mission

The mission of the School of Engineering Computing and Construction Management is to provide our students with the highest quality undergraduate professional education so that they are prepared to excel in the practice of their professional discipline or in the pursuit of an advanced degree.

Theoretical, technical, and managerial knowledge are developed throughout the coursework of the SECCM programs. With this pedagogical background, students need to be introduced to the aspects of experiential learning. These students are the next generation of the built environment. A strong background of coursework provided by the SEECM instructors and the learning experiences provided by allied industry professionals in conjunction with the experiential internship programs develops students that will be quickly oriented into mainstream business. This leads to the skills necessary to work towards leadership roles in their chosen professions while meeting the needs of the future.  

The use of interns will bring to industry new talents and resources that are untapped, enthusiasm to the workplace and diminish market restraints that are placed on industry by developing personnel that are quickly assimilated into professional fields.

The internship goals and objectives are as follows:

Goals/Objectives

Students Role

Internship Student Objectives:

Portfolio requirements:

Business’ Role

Participating sponsor s should view the SECCM Internship Program as an investment in their future as well as that of a possible future employee. The sponsor will spend time and energy developing the skills and professional capabilities of the intern. The sponsors will receive for their investment the services of the intern and full knowledge, pride, and appreciation having helped in the development of a future industry professional.

Interns should receive the same company orientation that current employees have undertaken, creating an environment that is open and receptive to the interns. Upon arrival interns need to be made aware of corporate Policy and Procedure, transportation, parking, and dress code requirements (both corporate initiatives and labor safety regulations). The interns should be introduced to their work area and environment as well as supervision and co-workers. Familiarization with company communication systems and corporate hierarchy will diminish problematic concerns as the intern starts their regular activities. The authority and responsibilities of the intern should be thoroughly discussed prior to their start of work.

Areas of intern development should include, but not be limited to field, office, and managerial applications. The Internship Practicum Activity forms are supplied to the industry sponsors at the onset of a student entering the program. A Learning Contract is developed between the student, industry sponsor, and the Ahlborg Internship Coordinator at the appropriate time when the student is being accepted by the sponsor into their organization. Students participating during the summer intersession are generally hired for the full summer recess. These forms can be found in the appendices.

Company sponsor concerns:

Zero Credit for Construction Management Students

Construction Management students currently take 127 credit hours in the program. In conversations with administration, it is deemed that this is the maximum amount of credit hours that will be allowed within the program. A zero credit internship was the solution. However, at zero credit hours students are not required to pay the traditional cost per credit that the university charges. Core courses and core concentration courses could not be eliminated to meet the requirements. The 127 credit hours are maintained to meet university and accreditation requirements within the construction program. A business minor is also received upon completion of the program. The administration and faculty feel that the minor in business helps promote the program and develop business skills in the students that wouldn’t be reached without the minor. All agreed that the minor should stay in place and that a zero credit internship is the solution. However, without a cost involved and funds received by the university, this would be a hard sell. This was addressed in the proposal for the zero credit internship program. Marketability of the program and students was the main selling issue that was addressed in the presentation. Construction students would receive experiential learning skills and knowledge and the university can promote this as a selling point to prospective students. It should be noted that the internship would appear on the student’s transcript along with the name of the industry sponsor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the marketability of construction programs and its graduates is the underlying issue for faculty, administrators, and the university. We have to promote are programs and ourselves to the best of our abilities and the development of a zero credit hour internship program is a solution.

Learning contracts establish an ownership in the program. Industry sponsors treat the contracts as they would any other legal document that they encounter. Although this is not equivalent to the burden that goes with construction contracts, industry sponsors take this very seriously. These are future employees that will be brought into industry. They are responsible for a portion of their education and with this go ownership of that portion of education.

Students also obtain ownership because they are entering into a contract that will delineate their duties and responsibilities while under the direction of the industry sponsor.

 Internship practicum activities are based on three levels of application under this program. They align horizontally to the courses that are taken at Roger Williams University. The students are required to perform activities that are directly related to the coursework and will give an outcome assessment of the actual courses. This is an area for further study as the internship program grows. Three years passed since the development of the internship program and only three construction students registered.

In May 2005, at the end of the semester the zero credit internship was passed and six students registered for the summer session. Further study is needed to assess the progress of the zero credit internship program.

With all the elements that are supplied in the internship program, it is feasible that this endeavor will grow rapidly in future years. Students will be able to register for the program and have an internship appear on their transcripts with the industry sponsors name included in the line item. Recognition of the student for their efforts is produced and documented along with the efforts of the actual industry sponsor. This program has developed contacts for the university as well as the construction faculty. Growing numbers of industry personnel are inquiring about Roger Williams University’s construction program and are seeking not only students for internships, but positions on the industry advisory board.

Appendices

SECCM Internship

Learning Contract

For

Construction Management

Student Information

Student Name:  ___________________________________

Most Checked E-mail:  ___________________________________

Graduation Year:  __________   Major:  Construction Management

Student ID #  or  Social Security#:  ______________________________

Local Phone #:  _______________  Semester & Year of Internship:  ________________

Student Home Phone #:  ____________________

Industry Sponsor Information

Industry Sponsor Name:  ____________________________________

Human Resources Phone # if Applicable:  _______________________________

Student Job Title if Applicable:  _________________________

Student Internship Practicum Activities Code:  ____________________

Supervisor’s Name & Title:  ________________________________________________

Supervisor’s Phone #:  ____________________  Fax #:  _____________________

Industry Sponsor Mailing Address w/ Zip Code:

SECCM Internship

Practicum Activities w/ Codes

For

Construction Management

CNST-IPA-1

   Superintendent’s Assistant (100% site) * Entry sophomore level w/ construction curriculum coursework

   Prepare Daily Logs

   Perform surveying activities and site layout

   Perform fact-finding for superintendent & problem solving input

   Assist in writing RFI’s

   Assist in walk-thru for safety and document

   Perform punch list preparations and distribution

    Assist in cost coding time cards

   Assist in inspector walk-thru

   Assist in development and presentation of toolbox talks

   Assist in project photo documentation

   Other activities:

CNST-IPA-2

   Site Intern (75% field – 25% Office Trailer) * Entry level junior status w/construction curriculum coursework

   Perform Quality Control Functions – verify compliance to specifications

   Review work in place and verify to production estimates

   Support schedules and sequence field activities

   Document site meetings

   Maintain field submittal logs

   Post as-builds to record drawings

   Perform inventory of office supplies and order

   Perform equipment inspections

   Maintain material and equipment arrival logs and verify to schedule

   Other activities:

CNST-IPA-3

   Office Intern (100% Home Office or Field Office) Entry senior level status w/construction curriculum coursework

   Prepare Quantity Takeoffs

   Apply pricing to Quantity Takeoffs

   Analyze scope of work for subcontractors

   Prepare bid documents

   Obtain permits

   Perform minor estimating duties

   Perform minor scheduling duties

   Perform assignment of project manager (field applications)

   Procure submittal approval from A/E and maintain log

   Distribute and update revisions, change orders, and procure subcontractor pricing

   Shadow management during the conceptual stage of construction

   Shadow management during construction phases

   Assist in mobilization and demobilization procedures

   Other:

   A rotation between field and office has been scheduled and presented in learning contract

Means of Accomplishment and Work Schedule: negotiated by student and industry sponsor

A total of 135 hours is in accordance with Career Services and the Academic Development Offices and is carried through to the SECCM Internship Program. This can be achieved by continuous employment during summer break or by working during the fall and spring semesters (usually at 15 hours per week). Students participating during the summer intersession are generally hired for the full summer recess.

Means of Measurement:

A Mid-term and Final Industry Sponsor Evaluation along with a completed student portfolio w/term paper is presented at the end of the Internship Program period. A pass/fail or letter grade will be given for the Internship Program and will be agreed upon before the student starts the program. This is in accordance with the Career Services and Academic Development Offices.

Type of grading agreed upon with The Career Center – by Internship Coordinator

            Pass/Fail __________              Letter Grade __________

I understand and agree with the terms of this Learning Contract and will perform the duties of the Learning Contract in accordance with the guidelines, missions, goals, and objectives stated.

Student signature: ______________________________     Date: __________

Industry Sponsor signature: _______________________________     Date: ________

Ahlborg Internship Coordinator signature: _______________________________

                                                                                                  Date: __________

SECCM Internship

Learning Contract

For

Engineering Disciplines

Student Information

Student Name:  ___________________________________

Most Checked E-mail:  ___________________________________

Graduation Year:  __________   Major:  General Engineering

Student ID #  or  Social Security#:  ______________________________

Local Phone #:  _______________  Semester & Year of Internship:  ________________

Student Home Phone #:  ____________________

Industry Sponsor Information

Industry Sponsor Name:  ____________________________________

Human Resources Phone # if Applicable:  _______________________________

Student Job Title if Applicable:  _________________________

Student Internship Practicum Activities Code:  ____________________

Supervisor’s Name & Title:  ________________________________________________

Supervisor’s Phone #:  ____________________  Fax #:  _____________________

Industry Sponsor Mailing Address w/ Zip Code:

Internship activities for engineering students will be tailored to the Industry Sponsor and Student needs. These activities will be entered at the negotiating period of the Learning Contract.

Means of Accomplishment and Work Schedule: negotiated by student and industry sponsor

A total of 135 hours is in accordance with Career Services and the Academic Development Offices and is carried through to the SECCM Internship Program. This can be achieved by continuous employment during summer break or by working during the fall and spring semesters (usually at 15 hours per week). Students participating in the summer intersession are generally hired for the full recess.

Means of Measurement:

A Mid-term and Final Industry Sponsor Evaluation along with a completed student portfolio w/term paper is presented at the end of the Internship Program period. A pass/fail or letter grade will be given for the Internship Program and will be agreed upon before the student starts the program. This is in accordance with the Career Services and Academic Development Offices.

Type of grading agreed upon with The Career Center – by Internship Coordinator

            Pass/Fail __________              Letter Grade __________

I understand and agree with the terms of this Learning Contract and will perform the duties of the Learning Contract in accordance with the guidelines, missions, goals, and objectives stated.

Student signature: ______________________________     Date: __________

Industry Sponsor signature: _______________________________     Date: ________

Ahlborg Internship Coordinator signature: _______________________________

                                                                                                  Date: __________ 

SECCM Internship Program Industry Sponsor Profile

Company Contact Information:

Company Name  

       Mechanical

       Electrical

       Heavy Industrial

       Institutional

       Residential Contractor

       Vendor/Supplier

       Subcontractor

       Developer

       Other

Headquarter Location                                                           Local Office Location

State locations for local offices (NE States)

Additional Comments & Requirements