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Hire Me October – Internship Guide Resources

The MCAA Career Development Committee recently released a set of resources focused on internships. Ever wonder when the best time is to hire an intern? Quick answer – NOW!

Of course, any time of year is a great time when you find the perfect candidate, but the most practical time to hone in on your search and devote additional resources to hiring strategies is during the month of October, especially for summer internships.

Check out the full MCAA Internship Guide and pay special attention to the Hire Me October segment, which highlights four unique ideas that could spark inspiration for the next out-of-the-box hiring strategy at your company.

Not sure where to begin with an intern? Start with the Internship Best Practices Guide for a timeline of events, and then consider creating an Industry Orientation Day. Finally, once you have your intern identified, meet them where they are in skills using the Hot Sauce Guide.

The first step – finding an intern! Post your internship or entry-level job today on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board.

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

* New jobs are highlighted every two weeks on the mcaagreatfutures Instagram page.

Have Questions or Need Assistance? Contact MCAA’s Michele Hoffman.

Students Explored Mechanical Contracting Careers During the GreatFutures Forum Job Fair

Just under 150 students from 30 MCAA student chapters attended the GreatFutures Forum Job Fair in Milwaukee, WI. Students were prepped with conversational tools from a variety of speakers leading up to the fair. The two keynote speakers reminded attendees to embrace wonder and ‘wow’ when visualizing their future career and offered a playbook for building a confidence skillset to open new doors (and windows) beyond their currently visualized reach. The opening panel, “Different Paths to Mechanical,” highlighted that no two career paths are ever truly identical and the best way to a GREAT future is to always keep your eyes open to the wide variety of opportunities available in our industry.

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 all easily identifiable in their bright blue matching GreatFutures Forum attire. Upon entry, everyone grabbed beads to signify if they were looking for/offering an internship (yellow), full-time position post-graduation (green), or if they were in a supportive role and just there for the bacon (purple).

Students and employers networked their way through the room, scanned name badge QR codes to trade contact information, and followed up with quick on-site interviews. Blank business cards were available for the students to utilize and on the back of each card was the link to the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board.

Mark Your Calendar for Our 2024 Event

Make sure to be in the room for our next GreatFutures Forum Job Fair in Seattle, WA – September 26-28, 2024! Until then, be sure to visit the Student Chapter Connection Corner at MCAA24 and remember to post frequently on the job board. Don’t forget to utilize your local resources by connecting with student chapter faculty advisors and/or local affiliated executives (student chapter industry advisors) in your area.

Additional Career-Related Resources

MCAA Student Chapters

MCAA GreatFutures Job Board

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

mcaagreatfutures Instagram

* New jobs highlighted every 2 weeks.

2023-2024 JRGF Scholarships & Grants – Applications Open!

The 2023-2024 John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) scholarship and grant applications are now available and are due by December 15^th (4:00 PM CST). Over $75,000 in scholarships and grants will be awarded to MCAA student chapter members during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast at MCAA24 in Orlando. Don’t miss your chance to be among the recipients!

JRGF and our generous donors are proud to present the following scholarships:

Alan P. O’Shea Memorial Scholarship

MCA of New Jersey
$2,500 each, two offered

ATP Inspiring Future Leaders Scholarship

ATP Learning Solutions
$2,500

Robert J. Durr, Sr. – UA/ NCPWB Partnering Scholarship

National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau
$2,500

DEWALT Patriot Scholarship
(Open to military veterans or those who are currently serving.)

DEWALT
$5,000 each, two offered

Donald V. Brown, Sr. Family Memorial Scholarship

D.V. Brown & Associates
$5,000

Ferguson – Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarship
(Open to female students.)

Ferguson
$5,000 each, two offered

Foster McCarl, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

McCarl Family
$5,000

Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship

John W. Danforth Company
$5,000

Thomas J. Wanner Scholarship

MCA/MSCA of Cleveland
$5,000

Trimble Future Estimator Scholarship
(Open to Competition Final Four Team Members interested in a career in estimating.)

Trimble
$5,000

Viega – Joe Pikus Scholarship

Viega
$5,000

William A. Bianco, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Kinetics
$5,000

Josam Endowed Scholarship
(Three-year endowed scholarship for sophomores.)

Josam Company
$2,500 x3 years (awarded 2022-2023)

APPLY TODAY

Student Chapter Grants

Applications for Student Chapter of the Year and Educator of the Year are also available and due on December 15th by 4:00 PM CST.

Chapter of the Year

$3,000 + Trophy

Applications are to be completed by the student chapter President or another student leader within the chapter. Applications from faculty advisors or industry advisors will not be accepted. Only one application per chapter will be accepted.

Educator of the Year

$5,000 + Trophy

Applications are to be completed by the student chapter President or another student leader within the chapter or an industry advisor. Peer-to-peer faculty nominations will not be accepted.

CHAPTER OF THE YEAR / EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS

Please contact Michele Hoffman (MCAA Director, Career Development) at 402-305-8969 or mhoffman@mcaa.org with any questions.

Post an Internship Now to Get Noticed at GFF23

Around 150 students from across the country and Canada will be attending the MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Milwaukee, WI on September 28-30. One of the main conference goals is to educate these college students on the ins and outs of the mechanical contracting industry and the GREAT Future that lies ahead for them. The ultimate way for a student to gain experience and determine that mechanical is indeed the career path for them is through hands-on learning with an internship.

Whether or not your company is able to attend the conference in person, use the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board to get your internships (and entry-level full-time jobs) in front of students who are eager to explore career opportunities not only in their own backyard, but possibly someplace new. Campus career fairs are in full swing and now is the best time to start conversations for summer 2024.

MCAA GreatFutures Job Board – 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

We look forward to connecting your company with the next generation of industry talent. If you have questions or need assistance doing this, contact Michele Hoffman.

Post an Internship Now to Get Noticed at GFF23

MCAA GreatFutures Job Board – 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

Still interested in Attending the 2023 GreatFutures Forum?

September 28-30, 2023 | Milwaukee, WI

Registration for the entire conference is complimentary for MCAA contractor members and has been extended to Tuesday, September 5^th. Visit the GreatFutures Forum webpage for the full program and registration, as well as information about our untraditional job fair. The best part: There aren’t booths and trinkets, and you don’t need to bring anything besides yourself. See you in Milwaukee!

Purdue Faculty Advisors’ Summer Internships at MCAA Member Companies Benefit Jobsites & Students

Jason Merchant and Ryan Manuel, both faculty advisors for the student chapter at Purdue University, took advantage of the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) Faculty Continuing Education Grant to intern with MCAA member companies this summer. By working in the industry, they better understand the challenges and opportunities that students may face and are thus better prepared to advise them. This industry experience will also help them to better teach mechanical subject matter, so the students coming out of their classes are better prepared to excel in our industry.

*Garvey France (HFI Intern) / Ryan Manuel (D.A. Dodd Faculty Intern) / Hayden Copass (D.A. Dodd Intern)*

Ryan Manuel spent his summer with D.A. Dodd (Lafayette, IN) as a Faculty Intern. He used his academic and industry background to participate in a multi-dimensional role that included assisting with summer interns, conducting site visits, attending project status meetings and promoting the use of construction management software. He conducted a workshop on software for D.A. Dodd’s foremen to help them streamline processes and to boost overall productivity.

“Interning at D.A. Dodd offered an immersive and eye-opening exposure to the day-to-day operations of a growing mechanical contractor. I encountered intricate project schedules, struggled with tight budgets, and grasped the intricacies of team dynamics – something that can’t be fully replicated in a classroom setting. I gained extensive knowledge from observing complex mechanical installations and coordinating with subcontractors. The D.A. Dodd team’s remarkable ability to solve on-site problems with ingenuity and resilience was truly amazing. The experience highlighted the significance of adaptability, which I intend to emphasize to my students as I return to the classroom this fall.”
Ryan Manuel, Purdue University Faculty Advisor

*Tristan Ruhlman (HFI Intern) / Brady Wever (Project Manager) / Jason Merchant (HFI Faculty Intern)*

Jason Merchant spent his summer with Harrell-Fish, Inc. (HFI) (Columbus, IN), primarily on renovation of an old mall that is turning into an all-inclusive medical complex. Every type of medical doctor from a general practitioner to an endocrinologist will be in the facility, which is designed to boost community well-being by making medical appointments more convenient.

“In my CM 150 materials and methods class I stress 3 things:

Respect for the men and women who do the day to day work.

Safety is of utmost importance for a successful project.

The construction industry as a whole tends to become a small world with the more experience you garner.

All three of these points came to fruition this summer during my Faculty Internship. I am unique in the aspect that I am a card-carrying UA member and am able to still perform field work. My involvement with the MCAA and MCAI has also kept me relevant and up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies. It’s obvious to any student who comes into our classroom or lab at Purdue that I am passionate about the mechanical industry. The JRGF scholarship will allow me to help foster that passion by sharing my first-hand experience and knowledge with my students. The primary objectives that I’ll be bringing back to the classroom this fall include lessons learned from the field, working as a team, and the importance of effectively communicating in this industry.

Additionally, boots on the ground is an important part in the big picture of the mechanical industry. The JRGF grant was a fortuitous opportunity and something that I feel many MCAA faculty advisors should utilize. Anyone who teaches HVAC, mechanical or plumbing curriculum will grow and benefit from a summer spent with an MCAA member, made possible by the JRGF grant. The opportunity to work with member contractors is invaluable.”
Jason Merchant, Purdue University Faculty Advisor

Learn More

MCAA members interested in employing a faculty advisor over the summer or faculty interested applying for a JRGF Faculty Continuing Education Grant should contact MCAA Director of Career Development, Michele Hoffman at mhoffman@mcaa.org for additional information about the program for Summer 2024.

Plan Now for Summer ’24 Employment Needs

College students are starting to head back to campus, which means underclassmen are starting to explore their options for summer internships and seniors are already weighing their offers for full-time employment for June 2024. Now is the time to start the conversation and the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board is the perfect place to start!

MCAA GreatFutures Job Board – 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

View Job Board

New Resources Will Assist with Hiring & Managing Interns

The MCAA Career Development Committee recently compiled four resources to assist companies with the internship hiring and management process. Internship Best Practices is a quick read (1 page) and walks employers through the hiring process in a timeline format.

Internship Guide

Once Your Intern Is Hired, Submit a Part 1 JRGF Internship Grant Application

Once you’ve successfully hired your intern, head over to the JRGF Internship Grant page to submit at Part 1 application for a $1,000 grant for 1 intern or $2,000 grant for 2 or more interns. These grants are available anytime throughout the year (summer interns and/or school year interns).

If You Hire an Intern Full Time, Be Sure to Complete a Part 2 JRGF Internship Grant Application

Did you recently hire one of your interns full-time? If they were previously on a Part 1 list, submit a Part 2 application for a $500 gift card for your new hire.

JRGF Internship Grants

Have Questions?

Please contact MCAA Director of Career Development, Michele Hoffman.

Congratulations to Cole Perkins, Recipient of the 2023 Robert J. Durr, Sr. – NCPWB Partnering Scholarship

Congratulations to Cole Perkins, the recipient of the new Robert J. Durr, Sr. – NCPWB Partnering Scholarship, which is in honor of Robert J. Durr, Sr., former chairman of the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau Board of Trustees for his effort and dedication in creating a partnership between the United Association and the NCPWB, which resulted in the formation of the Joint Welder Testing Program.

Cole is studying Construction Engineering at Iowa State University and will be graduating in May 2024. He’s been an active member of his student chapter and has served as Recruitment Chair and Vice President. Cole previously interned with MCAA Members MMC Contractors and Baker Group.

“I really enjoy seeing how my work in the construction industry positively impacts our community. I especially enjoy building systems and learning how they work and coincide with other trades in the industry. I’m also a very curious person that enjoys learning new topics. I joined my local MCAA student chapter to become active in my future profession and network with others in my industry.

For the future, I would love to be a project manager working with the guys in the field on a daily basis after gathering enough experience to do so. Long-term, I see myself at a company that has a good community-based culture that’s active in their community and participates in volunteering-based opportunities. Working to improve those in my community is important to me.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Cole on this prestigious scholarship and thank the NCPWB for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

Snap a Picture of Your Interns Before They Head Back to School & Submit a Grant Request for up to $2,000

Interns working at MCAA member companies are a win-win for our industry. Employers secure top talent and build a pipeline of future employees and students gain hands on experience, create connections and develop the skills needed to further their interest in mechanical contracting. Snap a picture of your summer intern by a company sign, on the jobsite or in company apparel and upload it with your Internship Grant Application. Interns and sponsoring companies will be featured on the virtual Intern Wall at MCAA24 before the Awards of Excellence Breakfast.

Internship Grant Eligibility

The MCAA company must first ensure the prospective intern is in good standing with an accredited two- or four-year college, university or technical school. While MCAA encourages its members to give priority to students from MCAA student chapters, this is not a requirement for a grant.

Part 1

Companies with 1 intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant OR companies with 2+ interns may receive a $2,000 grant.
Submit an application for each intern. If you have 15 interns, submit an application for all 15 of them since interns must be listed on a Part 1 application to be eligible for a Part 2 gift card upon graduation. (Maximum per company is still $2,000 no matter how many interns are submitted beyond 2.)
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for Part 1.

Part 1 Application

Part 2

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 new hire’s full-time start date.

Part 2 Application

Have Questions?

Please contact MCAA Director of Career Development, Michele Hoffman.

Congratulations to Morgan Fischer, Recipient of the 2023 Ferguson WiMI Scholarship

Morgan Fischer is studying construction management at Kent State University and is one of two recipients of the Ferguson – Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarship. Ferguson underwrites these scholarships which recognize high-achieving female students working towards a degree relative to the mechanical industry.

Morgan spent last summer interning for MCAA Member, The Brewer-Garett Company and noted that she enjoyed the company and their values so much that she decided to continue her internship with them during the Spring of 2023.

“To stay with a company long-term after graduation means that the company needs to have a sense of belonging and teamwork. I have always tried to include others and make them feel like they belong because I know what it feels like to be excluded. I think companies that have the empathy and care for their employees are the most successful. This success is not only defined by their financials or numbers of projects, but by the way their employees are proud to work there. This is so important to me because I’m very passionate about construction and the work I will be doing and I’m looking forward to being just as passionate about my employer.

Ever since I was younger, I have loved problem solving and completing puzzles. Since working with a mechanical contractor, I have viewed the mechanical systems as puzzles with all of the pieces and patterns that are required for installation. No system is exactly the same, but many of them have similar components. I enjoy the challenge that comes with different projects and coming up with solutions for the design and installation of the systems. I think a career in mechanical contracting would never get boring and is such an important aspect of a building.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Morgan on this prestigious scholarship and thank Ferguson for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.