Mentoring the next generation of construction workers is ingrained into the culture of W. M. Jordan Company, most notably through our intern program, which has grown substantially over the last two decades. Dwayne Sellars, W. M. Jordan’s Director of Virtual Design & Construction, saw another opportunity for W. M. Jordan to make an impact with students beyond our internship program.
Dwayne reached out to Norfolk State University, a school local to our headquarters in Virginia, about the possibility of mentoring and working with their students taking construction-focused classes. Through this, the NSU Student Chapter of Association of Builders and Contractors was created!
“Having a mentor in this industry is incredibly beneficial,” said Sellars. “We need more ways to connect our industry to students. This gives students at NSU the opportunity to make connections that will help them gain the experience they need to be successful in the construction world.”
Each year, the NSU Student Chapter of ABC Virginia competes nationally at the annual ABC Construction Management Competition. This event features teams of college and university students testing their project management, estimating, safety, quality control, and presentation skills. Students are typically given a ‘mock’ RFP to respond to over two months. These responses must include items such as a project management plan, sight logistics, project approach, general conditions, project takeoffs, and much more.
This year, members of W. M. Jordan’s estimating team lent their expertise to the NSU students, working with them on how to put together an estimating plan, best practices cost estimates, and other methods our team uses in our preconstruction process.
“We are there to help the students when they aren’t sure what the next step is, or not sure where to start,” said Project Estimator Mike Roseberry. “From cost summaries to understanding how to translate a roofing plan into an estimate, we’ve been able to help teach students how to calculate things like full scope of cost or just serve as an extra resource to make sure their numbers are the best they can be.”
“This was a unique experience for me,” said Project Estimator Trevin Bare. “It was a lot of fun to work with these students and help pass some of our knowledge on to them. Teaching them reference points for things like cost per square foot, or how to utilize data they are given to respond to an RFP, was a great experience. We were also able to connect them with some of our MEP trade partners to help them better understand that portion of the estimating process.”
Organizations like the NSU Student Chapter of ABC Virginia help young construction professionals get a better feel for what a career in construction entails.
“Working with students has been a great experience,” said Trevin. “They have been very engaged and asked some thoughtful questions. The two young men I spent most of my time working with are setting themselves up to have a successful career in construction after college.”
“This has also been another way for our team to find quality interns,” said Roseberry. “This gives them a jump-start for their careers and can help them find out what they like best about construction and pursue that.”
In addition to competing nationally, the NSU Student Chapter of ABC Virginia does community service, fundraising, participates in young professional events, group volunteer activities, and attends industry speaker events.
As W. M. Jordan Company continues to grow, it is even more important to continue to help develop the next generation of construction professionals. Partnering with organizations like student chapters of ABC organizations is one more way we continue to help others build the future.
With our clients, partners, and community, W. M. Jordan strives for the relentless pursuit of excellence.
