By Stacy Reppond
When I walked out of the University of Louisiana at Monroe coliseum with my undergraduate degrees in hand, I didn’t know what to expect for the future (much less the summer). I moved to Fort Worth in June before my first semester at Texas Christian University as a graduate student in Strategic Communications. I hoped for, but didn’t expect, a summer job that actually pertained to those degrees. What I ended up with was so much more.
I’d heard about EMJ from my brother Scott (an EMJ Estimator), so I applied for a summer internship in the Dallas office’s marketing department. When EMJ offered me this opportunity, I expected to grow as a professional in a corporate setting. Because of the EMJ culture, it exceeded my expectations.
I’ll admit—I didn’t know much about construction going in. (What does “augercast” even mean?) I also didn’t know EMJ would “build me” into a more professional and confident person than when I started.
EMJ entrusted me with meaningful and challenging tasks. I helped with the launch of EMJ’s new website, drafted press releases, blogs, social media posts, internal announcements and other pieces. I collaborated and created, and I did so in an industry that was new to me.
I was encouraged to interact with EMJ employees in the field—I interviewed superintendents, project managers and other vital team members for project case studies. I learned what our people actually do in the field to generate value for clients. They’re dedicated to using C2C with EMJ’s vision of changing the industry by changing the overall client experience.
I discovered my passion for the field and for writing. I gained confidence and absorbed all of the feedback I could, and the internship served its real purpose—solidifying my plans for the future.
It doesn’t matter that I didn’t read blueprints and had to learn what “augercast” means. EMJ molds professionals in many different areas: administrative, sales, marketing, operations, estimating, construction and more. The Dallas office family welcomed me with open arms, helped me adjust after a life-changing move and caused me to wish that summer didn’t end so soon.
Stacy Reppond is a graduate student at Texas Christian University studying journalism and mass communications.
Andrew Lackey interned with EMJ Construction during the Summer of 2016 and will join the EMJ team in Dallas as a full-time Project Engineer in December of 2016.
Want to work at EMJ?
We hire interns and Co-Ops throughout the year at EMJ and our family of companies. Summer and Fall Co-Ops and interns are typically selected February through March, and Spring Co-Ops and interns are selected September through October. And, of course, we’re always hiring for other positions. If you are interested in joining the the EMJ family, check out EMJ’s open positions.
If you are currently in college, here is a list of Career Fairs we will be attending this Fall. Our recruiters would love to meet you!
Texas A&M
College Station, TX
Construction Science Career Fair – Sept. 15-16
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Engineering Expo – Sept. 15-16
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, MA
Fall Career Fair – Sept. 20
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
Fall Career Day – Sept. 28
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Construction Science Fair – Sept. 29
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
Building Science Career Fair – Oct. 5-6
Texas A&M Commerce
Commerce, TX
Fall Career Day – Oct. 12
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
UTC Engineering and Computer Science Career Day – Nov. 2
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Career Information Session – Nov. 9-10
Nate Shorman interned in the Dallas office of EMJ Corporation during the Summer of 2016.