(July 12, 2022)— Corona, California native and California Polytechnic State University student Ginger Renshaw is spending this summer interning at Rosendin, the electrical contracting industry’s largest employee-owned firm. Renshaw and 90 other interns nationwide are receiving real-world experience in project management, estimating, safety, Building Information Modeling, IT, finance, and marketing, while paving the way for further career development.
Renshaw is a junior studying Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. As a Project Management intern at Rosendin’s Anaheim, California office, Renshaw is developing new skills and learning the ins and outs of the construction industry. Gaining tangible experience in estimates, take-offs, bid paperwork, billings, and time and material sheets, Renshaw is also establishing firm communication skills as she works with clients, the city, field labor employees, and other Rosendin employees.
“I wanted to be a part of the world that was developing around me. With constant development, the need for construction professionals is on the rise, and understanding Rosendin’s’ employee ownership and family values I knew this would be a good fit for me,” says Renshaw. “My biggest takeaway from intern week is that there are so many like-minded individuals who are unexperienced just like me. Everyone wants to learn, and everyone is looking forward to their start in the corporate world. Meeting so many other interns made the transition to the office much more inviting.”
Renshaw is learning new skills and strategies to help navigate a career in construction that are relevant to the job and internship search in any profession. Consider these tips when seeking out new career opportunities and trying to make the most out of a summer work-based experience:
- Aligning Values – Seek out companies that have clear and purposeful mission statements and core values. For example, Rosendin’s commitment to safety through meaningful action and permanent solutions is rooted in its core values: “We Care. We Share. We Listen. We Innovate. We Excel.
- Develop Goals – Meet with managers early on to establish goals and create a plan to achieve those goals. Frequent check-ins to review progress are an integral part of a successful internship experience.
- Find Mentors – Every intern at Rosendin is assigned a mentor at the beginning of their internship and can turn to them for advice and guidance as they solve real-world problems together. This is proven to increase self-confidence and awareness and builds communication skills.
- Do Your Research – When searching for an internship, look for a company that values not only your professional growth but also you as an individual. During the interview process and even once you’ve secured your internship, ask as many questions as you can.
Rosendin’s Summer Intern Program aims to help students realize their full potential and develop them into future leaders. Upon successful program completion, interns are invited back the following summer or offered a full-time position. Rosendin frequently recruits California Polytechnic State University students through campus career fairs and recruiting events. For updates on recruiting, visit www.rosendin.com/careers/students-recent-grads/ or Rosendin’s LinkedIn profile.
