Career Development at MCAA

2013 Student Internship Grants Application Now Closed

The Internship Grant Program stopped accepting applications on 5/15/2013. If you are a particpant, you will be contacted shortly with a status on your application.

2012-2013 Student Chapter Competition

FINALISTS CHOSEN FOR 2012-2013 STUDENT CHAPTER COMPETITION

A panel of judges from MCAA's Career Development Committee selected the MCAA student chapter competition teams that will make their final presentations at MCAA 2013 in San Antonio, TX on March 19. The teams are:

  • the MCAA Student Chapter at the Milwaukee School of Engineering;
  • the Student Chapter of Specialty Contracting (Mechanical/Electrical) at Southern Polytechnic State University;
  • the University of Washington Mechanical Contractors Student Chapter;
  • and the MCAA Student Chapter at Northeastern University.
Twenty-five chapters submitted proposals on a project involving the installation of the HVAC and plumbing systems in the Space Exploration Center Building at the NASA Research Park in Cape Canaveral, FL. Bidders were also encouraged to propose design features that exceed LEED Platinum requirements and a post-construction service component. The committee thanks Kathleen McCauley of Mechanical Construction, Inc. (Bridgeview, IL), John Powell of Marelich Mechanical Company, Inc. (Hayward, CA), Matthew Miller of Irven Bob Miller, Inc. (Long Branch, N.J.) and JL Williams of Ryan & Associates, Inc. (Davenport, IA) who judged the submissions. Be sure to include this session in your list of "must attend" sessions at MCAA 2013. You just might spot your next professional hire. Congratulations to the finalists and good luck!

Last Updated 11/28/2012 - Changes since last update marked "New!"

In the meantime, here are the written submissions of the four finalists from 2011-2012 for your reference.

...And the Winner Was...

The Annual Awards Breakfast on March 20, 2012 honored members' sports achievements, exceptional safety performance, celebrated the winner of the 2011 - 2012 Student Chapter Competition and welcomed NFL coaching legend Jimmy Johnson. MCAA President Mark Rogers and Career Development Committee Chairman Brett Christiansen presented trophies and cash prizes to the finalists of this year's Student Chapter Competition: first prize and $5,000 went to Student Chapter of Specialty Contracting (Mechanical/Electrical at Southern Polytechnic State University. The $2,500 prize for second place went to the Sacramento State Chapter of the MCAA. The Illinois State University Mechanical and Electrical Contractors Association is the 2011 Student Chapter of the Year and Prof. Blake Wentz of the Milwaukee School of Engineering was honored as the 2011 Educator of the Year. Former NFL coach Jimmy Johnson-best known for his years with the Dallas Cowboys-shared stories from his professional career and valuable life lessons he learned. Go to press releases.

Presentations from the 2012 Student Chapter Summit

(RIGHT click to download these items - you may receive an error if you open directly.)

MCAA Proudly Supports ACE Mentor Program

MCAA has become a national board of directors member of the ACE Mentor Program, a national program that introduces and educates high school students about the construction industry and the career opportunities that it offers. Founded in 1994 by Charles H. Thornton, world-renowned structural engineer and co-owner of New York-based Thornton Tomasetti, Inc., ACE Mentor reaches into urban high schools and matches teams of interested students with mentors from the architecture, construction and engineering industries (hence, the name ACE) who expose the students to the building industry through regular after-school meetings, visits to their offices and project sites, and competitions. ACE encourages qualified students to further their education in college or technical schools and offers scholarships to help them. MCAA’s student chapter program is uniquely positioned to further its own and ACE Mentor’s goals by matching mentors from MCAA student chapters with nearby ACE high schools. For more information about ACE, please contact Ann Mattheis at amattheis@mcaa.org or ACE Mentor executive director Pamela Mullender at pmullender@acementor.org.

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MCAA's Careers Website
Something for Everyone

  • MCAA/MSCA/PCA Contractors - get Career Development tools and resources to help you recruit the most talented, well-educated young people into your business
  • MCAA Local Affiliated Associations - learn how to interest and involve young people in the specialty trades industry
  • College Professors - looking for information and/or ideas to enhance a mechanical engineering course, curriculum, or program
  • College Students - Start your own MCAA Student Chapter!
    MCAA's student chapter program gives students the opportunity to learn about the industry by attending regular meetings with their MCAA local affiliate sponsors, taking field trips to a variety of jobsites and facilities, working together on volunteer projects, participating in fundraising events, and more. Start your own student chapter today!

Questions?

Please contact Ann Mattheis at amattheis@mcaa.org.