Beyond Seasonal Surges

Year-round internships to mentor next-gen superintendents in real-world settings

By Miguel Arguelles

The construction industry has been facing a well-known crisis — a shortage of qualified workers that continues to grow. Last year, Associated Builders and Contractors projected the industry needs to hire over a half-million workers to meet the growing demand — assuming the pace of work doesn’t slow down.

While hiring more workers seems simple, there often isn’t enough education or awareness about the diverse roles within the construction industry and the viable career opportunities it offers. Internships play a crucial role in bridging this knowledge gap and building local talent pools. However, most companies treat internships as short-term, summer-only opportunities, rather than year-round mentorships that could help nurture the next generation of superintendents and other leaders.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, almost 60% of interns receive full-time job offers from their internship employers. With retention numbers like that, why wouldn’t more companies want to actively mentor and host interns year-round?

Success story in the making
I’m one of these success stories. I began as an intern with McCarthy Building Companies and have since spent nearly 20 years with the company, now serving as vice president of the ports and marine business unit, working on major public projects along the Texas Gulf Coast. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring many up-and-coming superintendents and watching them thrive in their careers.

However, the value of internships goes beyond these statistics. For businesses, internships provide an opportunity to mentor the next generation of superintendents, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to lead projects successfully.

The construction industry requires strong leaders to drive project teams, manage risks and ensure quality and safety standards are met. Interns don’t just learn about construction; they develop leadership potential that can later translate into becoming the superintendents who run high-profile projects.

For students, internships offer more than just a paycheck. They provide hands-on experience, valuable professional connections and the chance to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings — often with a full-time job offer at the end of the internship. My own internship experience at McCarthy laid the foundation for a lifelong career in construction, and I’ve had the opportunity to mentor many young professionals as they follow a similar career path to become superintendents and leaders within the industry.

An internship program goes far beyond simply offering a job; it’s a mentoring opportunity that integrates interns into project teams from day one, giving them exposure to project management, engineering design, safety protocols and client interaction alongside experienced superintendents.

Collaboration with schools is key
Understanding the importance of year-round mentorship and internships is key, and should include collaborating with schools at every level — from elementary through college — to introduce students to the myriad career opportunities within construction.

By reaching out to students at an early age, we can help dispel the myths that a construction career isn’t a viable, long-term option and open their eyes to the exciting and rewarding possibilities the industry offers. A critical aspect of that exposure is seeing the role of superintendents up close: e.g., how they lead teams, manage day-to-day operations onsite and ensure projects meet deadlines and quality standards.

Helping shape next-gen superintendents
Reflecting on my experience, I wish I’d had the chance to intern year-round. Back then, internships were typically just summer opportunities, but today’s students have more flexibility, with many schools offering course credit and students needing to work during the school year. Year-round, paid internships can provide financial support, while also helping to shape the next generation of superintendents, engineers and construction leaders.

The skills and relationships I developed during my internship paved the way for my entire career, from my first project working on roads and bridges in San Antonio, Texas. Along the way, I’ve worked closely with superintendents to bring projects to life, and I’ve seen countless others follow a similar path, growing into leadership roles, as well. Many of these former interns are now superintendents themselves, running complex projects and mentoring the next generation of leaders.

As the construction industry continues to evolve, so too must our approach to mentoring and internships. If we’re to solve the workforce shortage, we must embrace the power of year-round internships and mentorship programs. The future of your company — and the industry at large — will depend on the interns you nurture and mentor today. Investing in future superintendents is an investment in your company’s success. We’re already seeing the benefits of these programs with our new interns from the University of Houston, and we look forward to watching these relationships grow into future full-time hires like mine did. The next generation of superintendents is out there, and it’s our responsibility to help guide them to success.

Miguel Arguelles is vice president of operations for the marine and industrial business unit at McCarthy Building Companies’ Channelview, Texas office.