Jake McClanan, a rising sophomore at East Carolina University majoring in Construction Management, spent his first summer with MEB at the HRSD Virginia Initiative Plant Dewatering Replacement Phase 3 & 4 project.

Trusted With Real Responsibility

“Before my internship, I almost expected to be given ‘busy work’ or work that was not as critical to the project since I was just an intern,” Jake said. “However once I got here, I was given tasks that not only challenged me and helped me learn, but they were also meaningful to the scope of the project.”

Jake supported submittals, RFIs, RFPs, takeoffs, material orders and deliveries, and project coordination. He also managed material inventory by checking incoming quantities and quality and keeping materials organized for the crews.

In the field, he photographed progress and observed safety and work quality before helping document activities in the Daily Report. “This made me feel like I was doing my part in contributing to the final goal of the project as well as being a part of the team,” Jake said.

Learning From the Project Team

Those responsibilities showed Jake how many moving parts in the office trailer and the field are needed to keep a project moving. “I was impressed with how well the MEB team worked together each day,” he said.

Jake also learned not to hesitate when he needed clarification. He said his project team always encouraged to ask questions and was incredibly supportive of his learning and overall success during his summer on the project.

“I’m grateful I had the opportunity to learn from Brandon Jones [Project Manager], Doug Bracy [Superintendent], Ryan Fennel [Project Engineer], and the rest of the project team. The way they approach their work, support one another, and hold themselves to a high standard set an example I hope to carry into my own career.”