What’s it really like to work in the construction industry? For many interns curious about the field, that question can be hard to answer.
Two interns who recently completed a four-week internship at AEC’s head office offered some valuable insights and reflections from their firsthand experience.
What was your internship like at AEC?
■ Learning the Workflow Through
Supportive Mentorship “There were definitely moments in the beginning when I felt lost with all the technical terms,” said one of the interns.
“But after visiting different departments and receiving clear, step-by-step guidance from the staff, everything started to click.”
She added, “From estimating costs to design and actual construction, I was able to understand how each phase fits together in the bigger picture.”
Another intern, fresh out of high school, shared that he was anxious at first, as he was coming from a school setting.
“But everyone at AEC was incredibly welcoming and supportive, which helped me adjust quickly.
Working on real tasks gave me a clearer understanding of how construction flows and how the design and bidding processes work.”
Experiencing the Real Impact of Construction Through Site Visits
One of the most memorable parts of the internship for them was the opportunity to visit actual construction sites.
“It was truly moving to see the blueprints and 3D-CAD designs we’d studied being turned into real structures before our eyes,” one of them shared.
Watching large-scale facilities being built and equipment being installed gave them a deep sense of how much can be learned only by being on-site.
Lessons That Go Beyond Technical Skills
He noted that the experience gave them more than just practical knowledge:
“More than learning how the job works, I was inspired to think about what kind of person I want to be.
Seeing employees go the extra mile to support their colleagues really stuck with me.
It made me realize I want to become someone who uplifts the people around me.”
How the Internship Inspired Their Next Step
The internship helped both clarify their next steps.
She shared, “I plan to study control engineering at university. I hope to build on what I’ve learned here in my future studies.”
He added, “I’ll be doing volunteer work in Cambodia for two years, and after that, I want to study mechanical and aerospace engineering.”
Both expressed enthusiasm and confidence about the paths ahead.
This internship offered them a space to imagine their future while also giving AEC a fresh perspective on the industry’s potential.
It was fascinating to see how two individuals from different backgrounds and with different interests were able to discover the unique appeal of the construction industry from their own
perspectives.
Their fresh viewpoints reminded us that there is still so much room for growth and innovation in this field – especially when diverse perspectives come together.
