On a Habitat for Humanity construction site in Mount Pleasant, Cadet Barrett Thompson, \u201926, learned that construction involves far more than swinging a hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each week, Thompson and his classmates spent time at a local Habitat site as part of CONE 470, a construction practicum course designed to give construction engineering majors hands- on experience. Working alongside classmates, Thompson helped frame walls, install roofing and build homes from the ground up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt gives you a feel for what it\u2019s actually like to be out there,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cYou\u2019re not just learning it, you\u2019re doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the course is about more than construction techniques. Students rotate through leadership taking responsibility for planning projects, assigning tasks and managing work on the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne group might be measuring, another cutting and another installing,\u201d Thompson said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about figuring out the best way to get the job done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The experience gives students a chance to apply concepts learned in the classroom while developing the skills they will need as future project managers. By working through real construction challenges, they gain a better understanding of how planning, communication and teamwork affect the success of a project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Thompson, a hands-on learner who grew up working with tools, construction engineering was a natural fit. The practicum reinforced that decision by showing him what a career in the industry looks like beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before graduation, Thompson received four job offers and accepted a position as a project manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSometimes you\u2019ve got to make sacrifices to get where you want to be,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the experience you get here makes it worthwhile.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On a Habitat for Humanity construction site in Mount Pleasant, Cadet Barrett Thompson, \u201926, learned that construction involves far more than swinging a hammer. Each week, Thompson and his classmates spent time at a local Habitat site as part of CONE 470, a construction practicum course designed to give construction engineering majors hands- on experience. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":694,"featured_media":429,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-other"],"yoast_head":"\n