RECRUITMENT

We are now recruiting for the 2023-2024 school year!

Please reach fill out our interest form to be added to our mailing list.

Come join us at our first general meeting on August 23rd from 5 to 7 PM inside Davis Hall Room 502. 

Alumni Q&A

Nick Fong

Participated in Design Build as Preconstruction Manager for the 2012 Competition

Currently at Turner Construction as MEP Engineer

Questions:

How has Cal Construction prepared you for industry?

Cal Construction was a great introduction to the industry as a whole. It gave me a baseline vocabulary and overview of foundational principles that really aren’t offered in the classroom at Berkeley. The Design Build team taught me the importance teamwork and networking. I’ve found that our industry is much smaller than most think despite the magnitude of the projects that we build. Maintaining long term relationships is critical to future success, whether it be with clients, architects, subcontractors, or teammates you might find yourself working with ten years in the future. Cal Construction is just the tip of the iceberg representing a much broader network.

How has it not? What was unexpected for you?

Cal Construction is an introduction to concepts. However, it cannot completely mimic the day to day challenges we face in our industry nor can it capture all facets of what new hire engineer/superintendent might be expected to do on the job. That said, if you bring the same thirst for knowledge and motivation to step up when called upon to your job or internship, you’ll be well on the path to success.

Tips for recruiting during COVID?

I graduated in a down job market in the middle of 2012. Though it was the tail end of the 2008 recession, the economy was still far from fully recovered. The current environment is very similar. Putting the work in to succeed in school and extracurriculars is only one part of recruiting. Everyone who has gone through this process before knows there is a certain component of luck involved in getting a job. The good news is that you can create your own good fortune! Reach out to Cal Construction alumni to ask about their post-graduate experiences. Find out about their paths into construction. Ten different people might give you ten different answers, but that’s a good thing.

Be sure to attend the virtual recruiting events hosted by the various GC’s. This pandemic is just as new to us as it is to you. We’re all figuring this out together and we’d love to see you!

General advice: Choosing CEE Career Path

Talk to as many people as you can in the various industries that you’re interested in. You would be amazed how accommodating and welcoming people can be. I remember that when I was a student, I was so focused on just getting through my next round of finals that I hadn’t given much thought to what I planned to do when I graduated. Getting to know the coaches through Cal Construction was a great window into what my career might look like 5-10 years down the road.

Please elaborate on your own career path – Did you intern? Switch over from design? Etc.

I interned for Turner the summer between my 3rd and 4th year. I had figured out by the end of my junior year that I was not really interested in design engineering, a preference that has held ever since. After taking CE 166 and 167 I knew that the next step for me would be in construction.

After I graduated, I started with Turner right away, working with our San Jose Preconstruction team. (Side note: use this time after graduation wisely. This may be the last time for a long time in which you have a few months at your disposal and no responsibility!) In the eight years since, I’ve held roles as a Lead Project Engineer, Cost Engineer, SPD Project Manager, and now as an MEP Engineer.

Earlier in my career, I thought there was a set path to success in construction. I assumed it starts with deciding whether you want to be an engineer or superintendent and then continues with working on the biggest and best projects out there. However, the 8 different assignments I’ve had have shown me that there are valuable lessons to be learned in any situation I might find myself in. I would recommend keeping an open mind to whatever opportunities present themselves. You never know what doors they will open that you didn’t even know existed.