Industry Partners Prepare BSCI Students for their Careers

Long before graduation and job interviews, each student has multiple ways to interact with industry partners.

Through Meet and Greets, class visits, career fairs, competition teams and student organizations, industry partners are involved in nearly every aspect of the School. Industry Executive Board members even meet with every graduating senior to ensure the program has prepared them for the industry.

“Their presence makes the building feel connected to the industry we’re preparing to enter,” said Ben DeBoer, a senior in BSCI and President of Auburn’s chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). “Those interactions give students a clearer understanding of how different companies operate and what career paths actually look like day-to-day.”

Kelley Pennington ‘97, Project Director and Owner Representative of TCU Consulting Services in Montgomery, Ala., visits Auburn about four times per year, usually for class visits, which target specific subject matter.

“We can generally add real life experience to the subject matter that helps the students understand the practicality of what they are studying,” Pennington said.

Staying in touch with the faculty and students helps Pennington see the evolution of the program’s curriculum in conjunction with the construction industry and allows him to encourage the students about the practicality of their chosen profession.

“I hope that interaction with the industry serves to confirm that their decision to enter the construction field was the right decision, and that the interaction excites and inspires them about their future in our field,” he said.

Companies like Holder Construction are longstanding partners and participate in the program in multiple ways, from large career fairs to small meetings with students.

Greer Gallagher ‘00, Senior Vice President of Holder Construction, enjoys sitting down with students to dig into projects, talk about their career paths and answer questions. She commends the BSCI students for coming prepared, engaged and eager to learn and says it re-energizes her about the future of the construction industry.

In her visits to the program, Gallagher emphasizes the importance of character and the value of curiosity.

“Technical skills matter and Auburn does a great job preparing students for that, but how you treat people, how you communicate and how you show up every day truly set you apart,” she said. “I also want the students to know that it’s okay not to have all the answers. The best builders are lifelong learners. If they stay curious, stay humble and stay hungry, they’ll go far in this industry.”

Pennington and Gallagher are just two of the hundreds of alumni and partners who share their experience and expertise with BSCI students. Each interaction, no matter how small, helps prepare them for their careers.

“Meeting industry partners early makes professional conversations more natural, and it helps students build relationships long before they start applying for internships and full-time positions,” DeBoer said. “Some of the connections I’ve made through AGC have already turned into long-term mentors who’ve guided me through internships and career decisions.”