MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Construction companies gathered on NMU’s campus Thursday to interview students and find potential workers.
48 companies from around the nation set up shop in the newly remodeled Jacobetti Complex. The building houses Northerns Construction Management Program. With the recent upgrades, like renovated lab spaces and brand new technology, it’s better preparing students into near perfect candidates for employment in any field.
“Students are gonna be able to work in anything from healthcare, wind farms, residential, large commercial, industrial, the opportunities are endless ,” remarked Heidi Blanck, a NMU construction management professor.
A majority of the companies in attendance have representatives who are graduates of Northerns program. According to them, coming back to their Alma Mater and providing opportunities is an easy choice.
“I know the quality of work and quality of education that comes out of [Northern], and we want to explore what’s still here” commented Austen Harris, a Project Manager at Detroit based contractor CMF Group. Harris graduated from NMU in 2012.
The university even brought in some alumni to give hour-long presentations earlier this week. The alumni went over things like what an internship with their company would consist of and how to apply for positions with students. Students say the talks were extremely beneficial.
“It takes some of that pressure off of meeting with a totally new company, and they are able to talk about their experience in the program, and why they choose the company they are working for,” said Moses Waite, a Junior at NMU who is looking for an internship.
The Construction Management Program is one of Northerns most successful in job placement. Nearly every graduate of the program has a full time job waiting for them post commencement.
“These students are able to make choices; they have multiple offers for internships and full time jobs,they are making the choice of where they want to be,” added Blanck.
The Construction Management Program at Northern has 150 students who were able to take their first steps towards their futures today.
