Student Chapter Spotlight | Penn College CMA

CMA FALL FIELD TRIP: MEMBERS VISIT CLOSE TO A DOZEN JOB SITES IN AND AROUND PHILADELPHIA
Last month, the Construction Management Association organized an educational field trip to the Philadelphia area, allowing participating members to gain firsthand exposure to a variety of construction projects. The itinerary Thursday included a 4am departure from the college and site visits to two projects at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Thomas Jefferson University Alumni Hall. The group also squeezed in some sightseeing downtown in the afternoon before meeting up with a large contingent of area alumni for dinner and some fun as they played miniature golf at Puttshack.

Another early start Friday as the group left the city to tour projects including Swarthmore College Martin Hall, Kendal at Longwood, and the Lock 57 project. The group was also able to tour the offices of Allen Myers, a Keystone ABC member, to explore the office side of the profession. The evening was free time in the Plymouth Meeting area, so students and faculty scattered for dinner and exploration.

On the return trip Saturday, the group visited the ABC Keystone training facility in Manheim for a tour and to learn about ABC workforce initiatives before returning to campus.
These trips allow students to see a wide variety of projects, learn from many different companies and professionals and to build friendships and memories for lifetime.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES GALORE AT PENN COLLEGE CAREER FAIR

Penn College held its Fall Career Fair on October 1st and 2nd this year and there were plenty of opportunities for careers in construction! Potential employers from all over the country were on hand with over 100 companies recruiting Construction Management students. “Our BCM Professors encourage us to make the days events a priority,” says James Fretz, a BCM Junior and Assistant Vice President of the CMA, “we often refer to the career fair and surrounding activities as our Super Bowl. It is a real focus and we all take it seriously.”

The CMA Club plays an integral part for our members, during the weeks leading up to the event as well as on game day. Morgan Littlefield, CMA President offered, “Each year, upperclassmen share internship experiences with their peers and new students, showcasing opportunities and offering insights to prepare. We also conduct resume workshops, share interview strategies and answer tons of different questions related to the career fair and summer internships.” The Construction Management Association provides unique name badges for our members but it is really the comprehensive support network that makes the “whole experience special” says Novalee Machemer, a freshman BCM student and CMA member.

In addition to the two days of Career Fair, CMA also helped sponsor a Construction Management mixer (with the support of many company sponsors) on Tuesday evening, helping provide an opportunity for employers and students to interact in a more casual environment. As the week progresses, many students find themselves in a new environment of interviews and negotiations as they work to lock-in the amazing opportunities for next summer.

BENCHMARK CONSTRUCTION SHARES AT CMA MEETING
On Tuesday, October 22, representatives from Benchmark Construction, a Keystone ABC member company, participated in the bi-weekly Construction Management Association meeting to share their expertise. Alicia Weaver and Ryan McCreary emphasized the critical importance of quality control, pre-installation meetings, and various other key factors related to building envelope systems. With nearly 60 members in attendance, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the interwoven elements related to construction and the management of projects. Students also learned about Benchmark, career opportunities, and while they asked plenty of questions they also had plenty to eat as Benchmark provided buffalo wings and other refreshments!