Twenty-seven MCAA Student Chapters submitted a proposal for the MCAA Medical Research Building Project. Congratulations to the Final Four and Merit Award teams. Final Four teams will present their proposals on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 4th on the main stage at MCAA25 in Austin, TX.
This is the 24th year of the MCAA Student Chapter Competition and the student teams were asked to submit a proposal as the prime mechanical contractor. This included all piping, HVAC, controls, and any other work required by the bid documents. Teams were also tasked with purchasing the equipment and materials and providing all the necessary labor to complete the entire project scope.
Thank you to the following companies for their special contributions to the competition project:
Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corporation (supplying the project)
DEWALT (sponsoring the competition prizes)
Procore (use of their Project Management software)
Trimble (use of Trimble Estimation MEP software)
Ferguson (providing pricing for pipe valves and fittings)
For a third year, Trimble will be providing a $5,000 scholarship to one competition Final Four participant who has expressed interest in a career as an estimator within the mechanical contracting industry. This scholarship will be presented at the MCAA25 Awards of Excellence Breakfast on Wednesday, March 5th.
Visit the JRGF website for more information about the Trimble scholarship and the many other student scholarships that are available each year. To keep up with the latest on MCAA’s student chapter programming, visit MCAA’s Career Development Initiative page.
The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) Internship Grant program has been upgraded for 2025 to offer a new level of support for the multiple entities involved with developing the future talent of our industry.
Student Chapter Forms: Due January 15th
Student Chapter Internship Grants are intended to offer additional support to student chapters that are connecting students with internship and full-time employment in the mechanical contracting industry. Chapters are encouraged to utilize this funding to bring additional students to conferences such as the GreatFutures Forum or MCAA Convention.
Due January 15, 2025 for calendar year 2024 full-time new hires, funds distributed in March.
Submitted by the Faculty or Industry Advisor – one application per chapter.
Up to $1,000 per full-time new hire.
Photo must be submitted with the new hire on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.
Affiliated Associations Forms: Due April 1, 2025
Grants are intended to offer support for the development and growth of local student chapter programming that creates new employment opportunities or student inclusivity at events with potential employers, mentoring programs, or new student-focused resources.
Due April 1, 2025 for 2025 plans, notifications in May.
Submitted by the Affiliated Association Executives. One application per Affiliated Association, covering all related student chapters.
$5,000 grant (5 available).
Employer Forms: Due April 1, 2025
These internship grants are intended to offer support to companies that are new to offering internships, small companies, or those that are looking to grow their internship program.
Due by January 31, 2025, and then will be discontinued.
Companies with 1 intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant. Companies with 2 or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant. Submit one form for each intern to ensure all interns are eligible for Part 2 upon graduation (full-time new hires).
Due by December 31, 2025, and then will be discontinued.
For companies successfully converting an intern from their Part 1 list to a full-time new hire, a $500 check will be mailed to the company, to present to their new hire. New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included from a Part 1 list.
Posting to the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board is quick, easy and an excellent way to keep your company at the front of students’ minds as they search for their next internship or full-time position upon graduation. The job board was created to highlight entry level (no experience required) positions in the mechanical contracting industry.
Each job is posted for 1 month. Re-up if it is still available or select a new position to highlight if the position has been filled. By keeping a resolution to post 12 times throughout 2025, your company will have constant representation on the job board!
Posting Ideas:
Full-Time New Hire (May 2025)
Summer Internship (May – August 2025)
Fall Semester Internship (September – December 2025)
Winter Break Mini-Internship (December 2025 – January 2026)
Co-Ops
Remote Internship
How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship
Login with an MCAA username and password.
Click on the job board within the Career Development page.
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting.
Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh.
When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month.
Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume.
Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume.
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process.
If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to MCAA’s Michele Hoffman. Visit MCAA’s Career Development Initiative page to learn more about student chapter programming or the JRGF website to explore the work JRGF is doing to further education in the mechanical industry.
The 2024 ‘Legacy’ Internship Grant Program will soon be discontinued to allow for exciting upgrades from the The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) in 2025. Check the timelines for important dates regarding the program transition, including several deadlines in January 2025.
Due by January 31, 2025 and then will be discontinued.
Companies with 1 intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant. Companies with 2 or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant. Submit one form for each intern to ensure all interns are eligible for Part 2 upon graduation (full-time new hires).
Due by December 31, 2025 and then will be discontinued.
For companies successfully converting an intern from their Part 1 list to a full-time new hire, a $500 check will be mailed to the company, to present to their new hire. New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included from a Part 1 list.
2025 Internship Program – Forms Now Available!
Student Chapters
Intended to offer additional support to student chapters that are connecting students with internship and full-time employment in the mechanical contracting industry. Chapters are encouraged to utilize this funding to bring additional students to conferences such as the GreatFutures Forum or MCAA Convention.
Due January 15, 2025 for calendar year 2024 full-time new hires, funds distributed in March.
Submitted by the Faculty or Industry Advisor – one application per chapter.
Up to $1,000 per full-time new hire.
Photo must be submitted with the new-hire on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.
Affiliated Associations
Intended to offer support for the development and growth of local student chapter programming that creates new employment opportunities or student inclusivity at events with potential employers, mentoring programs, or new student-focused resources.
Due April 1, 2025 for 2025 plans, notifications in May.
Submitted by the Affiliated Association Executives. One application per Association, covering all related student chapters.
$5,000 grant (5 available).
Employers
Intended to offer support to companies that are new to offering internships, small companies, or those that are looking to grow their internship program.
This annual conference is designed to connect future professionals with MCAA members and future internship and full-time employment opportunities. The Forum will give MCAA Student Chapter members the opportunity to safely network with industry leaders and learn about the ongoing changes in the field and the advantages of working in mechanical contracting.
The 2024 ‘Legacy’ Internship Grant Program will soon be discontinued to allow for exciting upgrades from the The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) in 2025. Check the timelines for important dates regarding the program transition, including several deadlines in January 2025.
Due by January 31, 2025 and then will be discontinued.
Companies with 1 intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant. Companies with 2 or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant. Submit one form for each intern to ensure all interns are eligible for Part 2 upon graduation (full-time new hires).
Due by December 31, 2025 and then will be discontinued.
For companies successfully converting an intern from their Part 1 list to a full-time new hire, a $500 check will be mailed to the company, to present to their new hire. New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included from a Part 1 list.
2025 Internship Program – Forms Now Available!
Student Chapters
Intended to offer additional support to student chapters that are connecting students with internship and full-time employment in the mechanical contracting industry. Chapters are encouraged to utilize this funding to bring additional students to conferences such as the GreatFutures Forum or MCAA Convention.
Due January 15, 2025 for calendar year 2024 full-time new hires, funds distributed in March.
Submitted by the Faculty or Industry Advisor – one application per chapter.
Up to $1,000 per full-time new hire.
Photo must be submitted with the new-hire on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.
Affiliated Associations
Intended to offer support for the development and growth of local student chapter programming that creates new employment opportunities or student inclusivity at events with potential employers, mentoring programs, or new student-focused resources.
Due April 1, 2025 for 2025 plans, notifications in May.
Submitted by the Affiliated Association Executives. One application per Association, covering all related student chapters.
$5,000 grant (5 available).
Employers
Intended to offer support to companies that are new to offering internships, small companies, or those that are looking to grow their internship program.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, food and celebration. For college students, it’s also prime time for securing summer employment. The break in classes allows for some extra hours to browse job listings and figure out exactly where they want to be in May 2025.
Offer letters are coming in hot – don’t miss out on securing an intern or full-time new hire from one of our 40+ MCAA student chapters.
How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship
Login with an MCAA username and password.
Click on the job board within the Career Development page.
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting.
Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh.
When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month.
Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume.
Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume.
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process.
The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) Internship Grant program will be upgraded for 2025, and will soon offer a new level of support for multiple entities involved with developing the future talent of our industry.
Student Chapters
Due January 15, 2025 (for calendar year 2024 interns).
Submitted by the Faculty or Industry Advisor.
Funds distributed in March 2025 to the student chapter.
Up to $500 per intern (8-week internship minimum, may occur anytime during 2024).
Up to $1,000 per full-time new hire from 2024.
One application per student chapter, per grant type.
Intended to offer additional support to student chapters that are connecting students with internship and full-time employment in the mechanical contracting industry. Chapters are encouraged to utilize this funding to bring additional students to conferences such as the GreatFutures Forum or MCAA Convention.
Submitted by the Affiliated Association Executives.
Notified of award by May 1, 2025. Check goes to the Affiliated Association.
$5,000 grant (5 available).
One application per Affiliated Association, covering all related student chapters.
Intended to offer support for the development and growth of local student chapter programming that creates new employment opportunities or student inclusivity at events with potential employers, mentoring programs, or new student-focused resources.
Notified of award by May 1, 2025, check to the company.
$1,000 grant (25 available).
One application accepted per company location.
Intern may be from any 2- or 4-year accredited college or university.
8-week internship minimum may occur anytime during 2025.
Following the internship, a photo must be submitted with the intern on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.
Intended to offer support to companies that are new to offering internships, small companies, or those that are looking to grow their internship program.
2024 Legacy Program (Employers) – Part 2 Full-Time New Hires
Due December 31, 2025.
To allow for Part 1 2024 interns to be hired upon graduation in 2025, the Part 2 Legacy Program will remain active until the close of 2025, and then will be discontinued.
For companies successfully converting an intern from their Part 1 Legacy list to a full-time new hire, a $500 check will be mailed to the company, to present to their new hire. New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included on a Part 1 Legacy list.
Visit MCAA’s Career Development Initiative page to learn more about student chapter programming or the JRGF website to explore the work JRGF is doing to further education in the mechanical industry.
The MCAA student chapters at Pittsburg State University and the University of Maryland, College Park have been actively serving their communities this fall. MCAA celebrates their commitment to service by sharing their stories.
Pittsburg State University
MCAA Student Chapter members at Pittsburg State University created a Halloween costume for a local child with special needs.
The 7-year-old elementary school student uses a walker, which limits the kind of costume he can wear. His mother entered a contest offered by Walkin’ & Rollin’ Costumes, a nationwide network of volunteers, sponsors and donors that provides costumes to children with special needs.
Aidan Wolownik and his classmates took on the task of creating an excavator costume for the child, who loves to be outside with his papa’s tractors. After spending two weeks working on the costume, the students delivered it and saw firsthand how the costume would change the family’s Halloween festivities.
“What I liked most about this project was seeing the joy it brought to the student. It was incredibly rewarding to create something that allowed him to express what he really likes. I also enjoyed the challenge of designing something unique that met his needs, and it was a great opportunity to be creative while making a positive impact.” (Aidan Wolownik)
University of Maryland, College Park
(Pictured: Gabriella Anthony and Francis T. Evans Elementary School students)
The University of Maryland, College Park student chapter read a construction-themed book, Grit Leads to Greatness, to third-grade students at Francis T. Evans Elementary School. Their goal: inspire the next generation to consider careers in the construction industry. This is the chapter’s second year reading to the school, and they plan to make the event an annual tradition.
(Pictured: Darell Payne – Assistant Principal, Gabriella Anthony – MCA Student Chapter VP, Rafiya Senghor – School Counselor)
The student chapter furthered their relationship with the school by donating $1,200 for much needed gym equipment and school supplies.
Share Your Story or Get Help Getting Involved
Congratulations to all of the MCAA Student Chapters that are assisting their local communities through volunteer work and charitable or educational projects.
Have an inspirational student chapter involvement story to share? Email MCAA Director of Career Development, Michele Hoffman (mhoffman@mcaa.org) with photos and details.
Need help creating a service project or getting involved with the community? Reach out to your Local Association Executives and Industry Advisors to set up a meeting. They will be happy to discuss community-based opportunities and ways to collaborate with local MCAA Members.
There is no time like the present, especially when it comes to hiring for interns and full-time employees post-graduation. Although May 2025 seems light-years away, it is at the forefront of students’ minds right now! MCAA resources and the GreatFutures Job Board provide inspiration and a way to connect. Read on to learn more about them and how they can benefit your company.
Fresh off the MCAA GreatFutures Forum and in the midst of their local career fairs, many of the students are on the hunt for that perfect summer internship to explore a career in mechanical contracting. Likewise, seniors are ready to fully dive in and find their employment homes. Don’t miss out on hiring from the 2024-2025 class by waiting too long! Many offer letters are signed within the next few weeks and the pace picks up as the Thanksgiving holiday nears.
Now is the time to devote additional resources to hiring strategies. In 2023, the MCAA Career Development Committee released an MCAA Internship Guide, and specifically a Hire Me October segment, which highlights four unique ideas that could spark inspiration for hiring strategies.
Always wanted to hire an intern, but have held off because you didn’t know where to start?Check out the Internship Best Practices Guide for a timeline of events.
Have an intern identified, but are stuck with what to actually do with them once they are onsite at your office? First, read about hosting an Industry (or Company) Orientation Day. Then browse the Hot Sauce Guide for a list of tasks that is organized by skill-level (the hotter the ranking…the higher the skill level) instead of their academic year in school.
Tried everything to find an intern locally and still come up empty handed? Try casting a wider net by posting on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board to attract students from all 42 MCAA student chapters.
How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship
Login with an MCAA username and password.
Click on the job board within the Career Development page.
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting.
Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh.
When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month.
Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume.
Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resumes.
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process.
Over 150 students from 34 MCAA student chapters, plus nearly 150 MCAA members and supporters attended the MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Seattle, WA at the end of September. This annual conference connects future professionals with MCAA members and the internship and full-time employment opportunities they offer. It also educates students about the ongoing changes in the field and the advantages of working in mechanical contracting.
As Career Development Committee Chair and GreatFutures Forum emcee Andrew Palcan said, “We love a good theme.”
Two years ago, students were asked to lean into “What is Mechanical Contracting” while on their journey to selecting a career. Last year, the message asked attendees to “Keep your eyes open… to the different paths to mechanical.” Now in 2024, the call to action has been made for our next generation to dig deep and take it upon themselves to be the innovative voices of the future. It’s their turn to “Move the Needle” in their careers and in our industry.
What will be the 2025 theme? You’ll have to be there to find out!
Save the Date
MCAA GreatFutures Forum October 9-11, 2025 The Little America | Salt Lake City, UT
Job Fair Encouraged Networking
During the non-traditional job fair, students connected with MCAA members looking for interns and full-time new hires. Employers proudly sported their company shirts, and students were easily identifiable in gray MCAA branded attire. Upon entry, everyone grabbed beads to signify if they were looking for or offering an internship (yellow), a full-time position post-graduation (green), or if they were attending in a supportive role to help make introductions and to enjoy the bacon-themed breakfast (purple).
Students and employers networked their way through the room, traded contact information via their new digital business cards, and even had the opportunity for quick on-site interviews in a nearby room.
Job Board Connects Students to Internships & Careers Year-Round
Those who didn’t find the perfect employment pairing at GFF24, or who were unable to attend, are encouraged to check out the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board. Employers continually post new entry-level jobs and internships, so make the job board your first stop in finding your great future!
Click on the job board within the Career Development page.
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting.
Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh.
When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month.
Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume.
Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resumes.
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s regular application and interview process.
Thank You To Our 2024 MCAA GreatFutures Forum Sponsors!
MCAA’s Career Development Initiative works to build our industry’s great future for students and employers alike thanks to sponsoring companies like the ones above and significant financial support from the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF). Reach out to MCAA’s Michele Hoffman with questions or comments on our efforts.
Over 150 students from 34 chapters are registered for the 2024 MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Seattle, WA, at the end of the September. They will soon be scoping out MCAA’s GreatFutures Job Board for companies they would like to meet with onsite to discuss internships and entry-level full-time positions.
GFF24 Student Chapters in Attendance:
Alfred State College
Auburn University
Ball State University
Binghamton University
Bradley University
Buffalo State University
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
California State University, Chico
California State University, East Bay
California State University, Sacramento
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Iowa State University
Illinois State University
Indiana State University
Kansas State University
Kent State University
McMaster University
Missouri State University
Northern Kentucky University
Oregon State University
Pittsburg State University
Purdue University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of Manitoba
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Nebraska
University of Southern California
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Utica University
Virginia Tech
Washington State University
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Not attending GFF24? You can still post your job to start a conversation with interested students!
How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship
Login with an MCAA username and password.
Click on the job board within the Career Development page.
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting.
Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh.
When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month.
Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume.
Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume.
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process.
The MCAA Career Development Committee recently rolled out a new eight-part Recruitment Guide that includes tailored resources for everyone to help pitch in and support our student chapters with their recruitment efforts on campus this fall.
In addition to a flyer and PowerPoint template for our students to use, four guides are available with content created specifically for Faculty Advisors, Local Association Executives and MCAA Members.
Example:
Student Chapter Recruitment Best Practices – For MCAA Members
Create Facetime Opportunities
Be Side by Side with your Local Association
Raffles & Swag – Who Doesn’t Love Free Stuff?
Competition Support
Fundraising Support
Community Service Partnerships
Communications & Publications – Their Success is Your Success!
Keep Up on MCAA Opportunities
Play the Long Game
Browse the Recruitment Guide today and reach out to your local student chapter to offer your assistance with recruiting efforts!
Congratulations to Aidan Wolownik, the 2023-2024 recipient of the Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship, which honors the late owners (Wayne, Patrick, and Emmett Reilly) of the John W. Danforth Company, one of the preeminent and charter members of MCAA.
One of many magical moments during the MCAA24 Awards of Excellence Breakfast in Orlando was when Kevin “Duke” Reilly stood next to his Danforth colleague, MCAA President Robert Beck, to present this annual scholarship.
Later in the awards ceremony, Robert shared the stage with Andrew Palcan, MCAA Career Development Committee Chair, who received this same scholarship from Robert Beck eight years ago, also in Orlando. The stage was certainly full of excitement and pride during this award!
FLASHBACK to the MCAA16 Awards of Excellence Breakfast in Orlando, FL – Pictured: Mark Rogers (JRGF President), Andrew Palcan (Recipient), Robert Beck (John W. Danforth Company), Steve Dawson (MCAA President)
Andrew, Robert and the team at Danforth share an enthusiasm for full circle moments and hope to see this year’s recipient of the Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship follow through with his quote below and end up on the convention stage for his own magical flashback moment.
MCAA24 Awards of Excellence Breakfast in Orlando, FL – Pictured: Andrew Palcan (Career Development Committee Chair) and Robert Beck (MCAA President)
Aidan is a Construction Management major at Pittsburg State University with an anticipated graduation of May 2025. He is an active member of his student chapter and has served as both the Fundraising Chair and President (two terms). This summer, he is interning with MCAA Member, P1 Construction.
“The thing that’s most appealing about mechanical is all the coordination that takes place. From the fabrication shop to the project site, everyone is always making things smooth and I hope to see this process in action as I intern over the summer.
What I’ve gained the most from my involvement with MCAA is the networking with other schools and contractor members. I have really come a long way to get out of my shell when talking to other people. I plan to stay involved after I graduate and attend national conferences and hope to get on the MCAA Board so I’m able to donate back time and resources for a scholarship to help other students learn about the mechanical industry.”
MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Aidan on this prestigious scholarship and thank the John W. Danforth Company for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.
The MCAA Career Development Committee recently rolled out a new eight-part Recruitment Guide that includes tailored resources so everyone can pitch in and support our student chapters’ recruitment efforts on campus this fall. This resource will help you contribute to building a great future for our industry.
Two available resources at the forefront of the new guide are the PowerPoint Template and the Flyer Template. These are intended to be plug and play materials for anyone visiting campus.
The PowerPoint is an excellent tool for students, faculty and MCAA members to use during pre-arranged classroom visits (short presentations at the start or end of a class period to spread the word about the student chapter). Chapters may also unhide the last few slides on the template to add in their meeting calendar and/or share internship experiences or local events of interest.
The Flyer Template is also a great resource to print and distribute during classroom visits, and could also be used during organizational fairs put on by the school / department. The front is packed full of MCAA benefits and the back is blank for chapters to give it their own flair with chapter specifics.
Customization Guides for both the PowerPoint and Flyer Template offers suggestions and ideas for how to add local relevant information and expand overall chapter interest on campus.
An hour or two spend on campus this fall assisting with chapter recruitment could result in a company’s next great intern or new hire! The first step is creating awareness about the mechanical industry as a whole, which is a team effort that typically includes the faculty advisor, student chapter members, local association executives and MCAA members.
Browse the Recruitment Guide today and reach out to your local student chapter to offer your assistance with recruiting efforts!
Enhancing year-long recruitment strategies to further the support that student chapter members feel from the MCAA membership can be the ultimate decision maker for post-graduation plans. To many of these students, that choice isn’t simply about a job. They are searching for a community of professionals where they feel welcome and engaged. There’s no better time to start connecting the dots for a Great Future with MCAA than while they’re still in school.
The MCAA Career Development Committee is proud to roll out a new eight-part Recruitment Guide. The guide has something for everyone from MCAA contractor members to Local Affiliate Executives and Faculty Advisors. There’s even PowerPoint and flyer templates to assist the students with classroom visits as they head back to campus at the end of the month.
Looking for additional ways to get involved with student chapter recruitment? Check out the Universities Page for a listing of chapters or contact MCAA Director, Career Development, Michele Hoffman (mhoffman@mcaa.org).
Congratulations to Yulien Liz, one of two recipients of the first ever Robert T. Armistead Memorial Scholarship. This $5,000 scholarship was established by Armistead Mechanical, Inc. and the family of Robert “Bob” Armistead to symbolize his leadership, dedication, and impact on the mechanical contracting industry. In honor of Bob’s service as MCAA President, the selected winners are required to have served in the role as their local student chapter president.
Yulien is a Mechanical Engineering student at Fairleigh Dickinson University who anticipates graduating in December 2025. He is an active member of his student chapter, where he has served as both Vice President and President. He has interned with MCAA member companies Binsky & Snyder, A&A Industrial Piping, and Mid-Atlantic Mechanical.
“My involvement in the Fairleigh Dickinson Student Chapter has significantly enhanced my skill set. Despite having a background in the technical side of HVAC before college, my participation in the chapter transformed my knowledge base. Through working on the student chapter competition my freshman year, I acquired skills in estimating, scheduling, and logistics for a real construction project. Then, the following year, I utilized those skills with the rest of our returning team to create a stronger proposal which resulted in a top-four national placement. As the current student President, I continue to learn new things in every meeting and have expanded my professional network through interactions with local MCA professionals, which ultimately led to securing valuable internships.
The MCAA student chapter has provided me with essential mechanical contracting skills, networking opportunities with professionals, experience in public speaking at the national level, exposure to business travel, and leadership experience in guiding a team. Once I graduate, my intention is to give back by becoming a local mentor and supporting upcoming students in the same way I was helped. I deeply appreciate the value of this experience and am enthusiastic about providing guidance to future students.”
MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Yulien on this prestigious scholarship and thank Armistead Mechanical, Inc. and the family of Robert T. Armistead for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.
MCAA has established a new annual scholarship in honor of the memory of Ann Mattheis, a former Director of MCAA’s Career Development / GreatFutures program. Ann’s dedication and contributions to building the GreatFutures program has left an enduring legacy for multiple decades of students and for the overall MCAA membership through her many roles with MCAA.
Tabitha Watson is the inaugural scholarship recipient and is a Construction Management major at Pittsburg State University, with an anticipated graduation this December. She is an active member of her student chapter and was employed by MMC Contractors over the summer as a BIM / VDC intern.
“I have gained a lot of knowledge of how each team has to work together like a well-oiled machine in order to produce a great project. The MCAA student chapter at Pittsburg State University has done a great job at bringing in industry leaders to talk to students about some of the struggles they face and how to overcome challenges.
I’m interested in participating on the competition team, especially when it comes to understanding the BIM / VDC side of the project. BIM / VDC is still an up-and-coming program for many companies, but mechanical construction uses VDC / BIM a lot already and I would like to learn more about it. After I graduate, I hope to be with a company that’s an active member in MCAA and to help future students understand the benefits that mechanical contractors have to offer. I enjoy traveling and seeing what all is going on at a jobsite, but I am a firm believer that life has a funny way of showing us what we are meant to do and what is put in place for us.”
The John R. Gentille Foundation congratulates Tabitha on this prestigious scholarship and thanks MCAA for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.
Visit the MCAA GreatFutures Universities page to browse student chapters and to view contact information for faculty advisors or to note the sponsoring local MCAA affiliated association.
Reach out to the faculty advisor and the local association executive when looking to hire interns for the school year. These two resources typically work together to keep a pulse on which students still need internships and if they are interested in any specific or specialized part of our industry. Let them know that your company is looking to recruit new talent and keep your eyes and ears open for additional opportunities to say hello. Connections can happen anywhere, not just during the school’s annual career fair! Consider attending the chapter fundraisers, social outings or community service events and easily walk away with contact information for a handful of potential new hires.
2024 Internship Grants are $1,000 for 1 intern, or $2,000 for 2 or more interns. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but must be submitted no later than January 31, 2025 for all 2024 grants.
Once you officially hire an intern, be sure to submit a Part 1 Internship Grant.
Once you convert an intern from your Part 1 list to a full-time new hire, make sure you submit a Part 2 Internship Grant.
For companies successfully converting an intern from their Part 1 list to a full-time new hire, a $500 gift card will be mailed to the company to present to their new hire. New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included on a Part 1 list from an MCAA member company. Part 2 applications may not be submitted until after the full-time start date and must be submitted no later than January 31, 2025 for all 2024 grants.
MCAA thanks the John R. Gentille Foundation for its support in underwriting many of the activities of the MCAA Career Development Initiative. Chief among these is an internship program that allows mechanical contractors to identify and evaluate potential full-time hires for their companies.
Congratulations to Irvin Quintana, one of the two recipients of the Alan P. O’Shea Memorial Scholarship. The Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey established these scholarships to honor the memory of Alan P. O’Shea, its former Executive Director, and to memorialize his many contributions to the mechanical contracting industry. These scholarships were presented by Richard Tomaiko (MCA of New Jersey President) and Phillip Petillo (MCA of New Jersey Executive Director) at the MCAA24 Awards of Excellence Breakfast in Orlando on March 20th.
Irvin anticipates graduating from the University of Nebraska in May 2026 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is active in his student chapter and has held the position of Recruitment Chair. This summer Irvin is interning with MCAA Member, The Waldinger Corporation.
“Mechanical construction can be found everywhere, from hospitals to elementary schools and affects every aspect of our lives. It appeals to me because of its complexity; from design to installation, mechanical construction requires attention to detail, consistency, and perseverance. Mechanical construction is also a large and always growing industry that provides many opportunities to learn and grow professionally as well as personally.
After graduation, I plan on working with a mechanical contractor within MCAA as a project engineer. Based on my current internship, I believe this role is essential for a better understanding of mechanical systems and the implementations of the systems. Being able to work closely with other project engineers and foremen has helped accelerate my understanding of the systems and how they operate, are installed, and are maintained.
I’ve gained a generous amount of experience and growth from my involvement with my MCAA Student Chapter. I’ve had the opportunity to work with other students who share the same mindset and ambitions as me. This has helped me push myself further as I’ve worked closely with my fellow students to help fundraise, set up community involvement, and work on our competition. Being able to attend the MCAA national convention and the GreatFutures Forum has allowed me to network with other students and contractors across the country. After I graduate, I plan on helping my student chapter by providing networking opportunities as well as sharing my knowledge and experience with future chapter members.”
MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Irvin on this prestigious scholarship and thank the MCA of New Jersey for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.
