Lakeside Alliance Interns Reflect on a Summer of Growth

Over the summer, each one of our five interns came ready to learn — even if that meant overcoming new challenges. To provide the best possible experience, the Lakeside Alliance team delivered the next-level, on-the-job experience they dreamed of at one of the world’s most complex, specialized and historically significant projects: the Obama Presidential Center. 

Like any internship, it isn’t how you start but how you finish that’s most important. Each of these rising collegians agreed they were more polished, confident and self-assured as they resumed their college studies in the fall. To be able to say, like intern Alexander Hollins, that your chosen career is so gratifying, “I don’t think I could see myself doing anything else,” is priceless. 

Keep reading to get to know Lakeside Alliance’s interns, starting with the three words they said describes them best.

Clayton Barma

Ambitious. Organized. Laid-back.

Clayton, a project engineer for principal firm Powers & Sons Construction, is entering his senior year at Purdue University Northwest where he’s majoring in construction management and engineering technology. He is also the president of the university’s Construction Club.

Clayton first became interested in construction playing with Legos as a child. “I went into college thinking I wanted to be an architect. But I switched after my first semester, transitioned to construction management and fell in love with that ever since.”

As an intern, he’s assigned to the interiors team and manages five subcontractors. But he spends most of his time making sure that the submittal and Request for Information (RFI) processes run smoothly, and that the product data and shop drawings are aligned with what the architect and engineers intended.

“One thing that I've done that's been new to me is being able to lead meetings,” he said. “That's definitely been an eye-opening experience, talking with a lot of the subcontractors and people involved in the construction process.”

Clayton says every day is different, and he enjoys seeing the project come alive. He describes working with Lakeside Alliance as an amazing experience. “It's been really cool to work for Powers and Sons, but then also be managed by a company such as Turner. I really get to see a lot of the different aspects of the management side and how things are run by different companies.”

Bryan Munoz

Observant. Dependable. Adaptable.

Bryan is an engineering intern for Powers & Sons Construction and an incoming junior at Purdue University Northwest where he is majoring in construction management and engineering. Working with his father, who remodels homes, piqued his interest in construction. Bryan ultimately decided to explore other pathways within the industry, which led him to the Obama Presidential Center.

“Working with Lakeside Alliance is definitely a blessing,” he said. “Everyone is friendly, everyone reaches out, and no one is hard to get to.”

As an intern, he spends a good deal of time dealing with Requests for Information (RFI), submittals and change orders. He says finding effective ways to cope with the daily challenges has helped him move outside of his comfort zone.

“It's getting easier every day interacting with individuals that I don't know, especially individuals who are much older than me,” he said. “This project has definitely helped me.” 

Bryan also appreciates seeing so many small local companies who are often excluded from large-scale projects get opportunities to work on a historic endeavor like the Center. This experience has taught him that anyone considering a career in construction should go for it.

“Pursue every opportunity you get. Don't let someone tell you you can't do something. Every opportunity is just an open door to a new pathway.”

As fulfilling as this experience has been, Bryan says there’s one unchecked item on his internship bucket list: “I haven't met President Obama yet!”

Isaac Williams

Systematic. Reliable. Consistent.

Isaac is a field engineering intern for Turner Construction and an incoming senior at Purdue University Northwest majoring in construction management. Unsure of his career plans after high school, it was his father’s guidance that led him to construction. 

“He explained that there's only a few jobs that are going to last very long,” Isaac said. “One of them is building, another is managing people, and another is managing money. So ever since then, I set my eyes on construction management because that includes everything.”

As an intern, Isaac works closely with the site superintendent to schedule and sequence work, deal with Requests for Information and punch lists, and track items such as light poles.

“When I came here, I just wanted to be trusted with a lot of work. And, so far, I think I've done that pretty well,” he said. “When my supervisors are gone or off-site, I'm the main point of contact for all the subcontractors. I lead meetings. That's the biggest thing I'm taking away from this internship.”

But what excites him most is the opportunity to learn. “It's great working with Lakeside Alliance. Your supervisors here want you to learn, and they want you to be the best at what you do.”

His advice to anyone thinking of getting into the business is informed by his experience. “Be ready to be uncomfortable and be ready to excel in being uncomfortable.”

Marco Rodriguez

Driven. Caring. Reliable.

Marco returned for a second straight year to intern with Turner’s mechanical, engineering and plumbing (MEP) team. He is entering his senior year at Purdue University Northwest where he is studying construction engineering and management technology.

Marco also has a family legacy in the construction industry, and has gained inspiration from a relative who works as a project manager and another who also works for Turner as an estimator.

“I got insight into how they live their daily lives and how much passion they have for this industry, and it kind of just interests me to follow in their footsteps.”

Being a part of the MEP team has allowed him to see how systems operate up close. As an intern, Marco assists with startup activities, which includes following up to make sure technicians have the equipment they need to do their jobs. 

“If there are any issues, I make sure that we assess those and then report back to my supervisor to make sure we can get the final reports in,” he said.

He says he’s fascinated by the Center’s energy-saving properties, such as its use of geothermal systems and solar panels versus boilers and cooling towers typical to most buildings. Overall, he gives his experience a 10 out of 10 for helping him figure out his career path and teaching him how to engage with senior managers. 

His advice to anyone thinking about construction: “Put in the effort. A lot of people here see that and will realize how interested you are and be willing to help you.”

Alexander (Alex) Hollins

Witty. Adaptable. Accountable.

Alex, a field engineering intern for Turner Construction, is entering his sophomore year at the University of Illinois Chicago. He got his first glimpse of construction in high school through the ACE program. As an intern, he deepened his understanding of engineering’s multifaceted role, working with subcontractors on field work and interior elements, such as metal and wood finishes.

“I never really thought about the actual in-depth process of engineering, how much coordination there is with architecture,” he said. “There's a lot of cool things that happen behind the scenes, but being out on the field, seeing what they do and how everything is basically hand-built, is a little more interesting.”

He shared that being one of the youngest on site felt intimidating at first. But the connections he made were valuable, and the responsibility boosted his confidence.

“When I started here, I was very shy. I didn't know how to talk to people. As I learned more, I became more comfortable with what I knew,” he said. “Now, I'm able to hold conversations with people who hold higher positions than me and are able to talk in front of larger groups of people, even up to like 300 people at a time.” 

Most of all, he enjoyed seeing the wide range of skills present in an environment where questions were always welcome.

“We have hundreds of workers in every area working on landscaping, interiors, engineering, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems,” he said.