What do you do if your Construction Management internship isn't meeting your expectations?

When your construction management internship does not meet your expectations, it's important to first evaluate the situation critically. Reflect on whether your expectations align with the realities of the field, which often includes a mix of administrative duties and on-site work. If the discrepancy lies in the nature of the tasks rather than the structure of the internship, it may be beneficial to adjust your expectations. However, if there are genuine gaps, such as insufficient mentorship or lack of exposure to key areas, address these concerns with your supervisor. Constructive feedback can lead to adjustments that enrich your experience and provide more relevant learning opportunities.

To improve a disappointing Construction Management internship, communicate openly with your supervisor about your expectations, seek clarity on roles and express your interests, propose solutions for enhancement, actively pursue additional learning opportunities, network with colleagues, reflect on the experience for personal growth, and if needed, explore alternative internship options aligned with your goals and interests.

Schedule a meeting with your internship supervisor. Clearly express your desired learning outcomes and areas of interest. Ask if there are opportunities for more challenging tasks that align with your goals. Seek specific feedback on your performance and areas for improvement. This proactive approach can help turn your internship into a valuable learning experience.

If your construction management internship isn't meeting your expectations, the best course of action would be to "Communicate concerns." Communicate concerns: Openly communicate your concerns and expectations with your supervisor or mentor. Expressing your thoughts and discussing areas where you feel the internship is falling short can lead to constructive feedback and potential solutions. This proactive approach demonstrates your commitment to the internship and your willingness to address any challenges or issues that may arise.

El sector de la construcción suele discriminar a la gente joven, al ser un sector que requiere de mucho tiempo de aprendizaje para llegar a obtener la experiencia y responsabilidad que se requiere para ser un buen profesional. Si estás en tu período de becario, dando tus primeros pasos en el sector profesional, te recomendaría, aparte de aprender todo lo que puedas, que aproveches para mejorar tu red de contactos. Te comento esto, porque DETRÁS DE CUALQUIER TIPO DE CONSTRUCCIÓN HAY UN GRAN NÚMERO DE PERSONAS IMPLICADAS, que sin su colaboración y trabajo en equipo no podría hacer posible que se construyera ninguna obra. Cuantas más amistades dentro de tu sector puedas hacer, más sólida será también tu desarrollo profesional.

Go back to the drawing board and reassess what you want,what the industry is offering and then what you can give. Gather a lot of data from relevant areas as this will be the first leverage.

It is very important to actually do some research on the internship opportunity before you accept. Seek out prior interns at the company and get a feel for their experiences and how that feedback aligns with your expectations. Heck, reach out to the CM's and PM's at the potential company on this platform and pick their brain regarding the opportunity. Personally, I truly enjoy the discussion with those aspiring to become CM professionals when they reach out to me seeking knowledge or insight.