Archives: News Items

Last Call – 2024 Internship Grant Program: Part 1 Deadline is Approaching & Upgraded 2025 Forms Are Now Live!

The 2024 ‘Legacy’ Internship Grant Program will soon be discontinued to allow for exciting upgrades from the The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) in 2025. Check the timelines for important dates regarding the program transition, including several deadlines in January 2025.

2024 ‘Legacy’ Internship Grant Timeline

Program	Grant Type	Amount	Submitted By	Deadline
2024	Part 1 Legacy Grant (Internship)	$1,000 (maximum of 2)	Company	January 31, 2025, then discontinued
2024	Part 2 Legacy Grant (Full-Time New Hire)	$500 each	Company	December 31, 2025, then discontinued

2025 Internship Program Timeline

Program	Grant Type	Amount	Submitted By	Deadline
2025	Student Chapter: Internship	Up to $500 each	Advisor	January 15, 2025 for 2024 interns
2025	Student Chapter: Full-Time New Hire	Up to $1,000 each	Advisor	January 15, 2025 for 2024 new hires
2025	Affiliated Association	$5,000 (5 available)	Association Executive	April 1, 2025
2025	Employer	$1,000 (25 available)	Company	April 1, 2025

2024 ‘Legacy’ Internship Grants

Part 1 (Internship) Form

Due by January 31, 2025 and then will be discontinued.
Companies with 1 intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant. Companies with 2 or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant. Submit one form for each intern to ensure all interns are eligible for Part 2 upon graduation (full-time new hires).

Part 2 (Full-Time New Hire) Form

Due by December 31, 2025 and then will be discontinued.
For companies successfully converting an intern from their Part 1 list to a full-time new hire, a $500 check will be mailed to the company, to present to their new hire. New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included from a Part 1 list.

2025 Internship Program – Forms Now Available!

Student Chapters

Intended to offer additional support to student chapters that are connecting students with internship and full-time employment in the mechanical contracting industry. Chapters are encouraged to utilize this funding to bring additional students to conferences such as the GreatFutures Forum or MCAA Convention.

Student Chapter: Internship Grant Form

Due January 15, 2025 for calendar year 2024 interns, funds distributed in March.
Submitted by the Faculty or Industry Advisor – one application per chapter.
Up to $500 per intern (8-week internship minimum)
Photo must be submitted with the intern on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.

Student Chapter: Internship Grant Full-Time New Hire Form

Due January 15, 2025 for calendar year 2024 full-time new hires, funds distributed in March.
Submitted by the Faculty or Industry Advisor – one application per chapter.
Up to $1,000 per full-time new hire.
Photo must be submitted with the new-hire on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.

Affiliated Associations

Intended to offer support for the development and growth of local student chapter programming that creates new employment opportunities or student inclusivity at events with potential employers, mentoring programs, or new student-focused resources.

Affiliated Association: Internship Grant Form

Due April 1, 2025 for 2025 plans, notifications in May.
Submitted by the Affiliated Association Executives. One application per Association, covering all related student chapters.
$5,000 grant (5 available).

Employers

Intended to offer support to companies that are new to offering internships, small companies, or those that are looking to grow their internship program.

Employer: Internship Grant Form

Due April 1, 2025 for 2025 planned internships, notifications in May.
Submitted by the company. One application per company location.
$1,000 grant (25 available)
- 8-week internship minimum may occur anytime during 2025.
- Intern may be from any 2- or 4-year accredited college or university.
- Following the internship, a photo must be submitted with the intern on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.

Visit MCAA’s Career Development Initiative page to learn more about student chapter programming or the JRGF website to explore the work JRGF is doing to further education in the mechanical industry.

2024 Internship Grant Program: Part 1 Deadline is Approaching & Upgraded 2025 Forms Are Now Live!

2024 ‘Legacy’ Internship Grant Timeline

Program	Grant Type	Amount	Submitted By	Deadline
2024	Part 1 Legacy Grant (Internship)	$1,000 (maximum of 2)	Company	January 31, 2025, then discontinued
2024	Part 2 Legacy Grant (Full-Time New Hire)	$500 each	Company	December 31, 2025, then discontinued

2025 Internship Program Timeline

Program	Grant Type	Amount	Submitted By	Deadline
2025	Student Chapter: Internship	Up to $500 each	Advisor	January 15, 2025 for 2024 interns
2025	Student Chapter: Full-Time New Hire	Up to $1,000 each	Advisor	January 15, 2025 for 2024 new hires
2025	Affiliated Association	$5,000 (5 available)	Association Executive	April 1, 2025
2025	Employer	$1,000 (25 available)	Company	April 1, 2025

2024 ‘Legacy’ Internship Grants

Part 1 (Internship) Form

Due by January 31, 2025 and then will be discontinued.
Companies with 1 intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant. Companies with 2 or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant. Submit one form for each intern to ensure all interns are eligible for Part 2 upon graduation (full-time new hires).

Part 2 (Full-Time New Hire) Form

Due by December 31, 2025 and then will be discontinued.
For companies successfully converting an intern from their Part 1 list to a full-time new hire, a $500 check will be mailed to the company, to present to their new hire. New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included from a Part 1 list.

2025 Internship Program – Forms Now Available!

Student Chapters

Student Chapter: Internship Grant Form

Due January 15, 2025 for calendar year 2024 interns, funds distributed in March.
Submitted by the Faculty or Industry Advisor – one application per chapter.
Up to $500 per intern (8-week internship minimum)
Photo must be submitted with the intern on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.

Student Chapter: Internship Grant Full-Time New Hire Form

Due January 15, 2025 for calendar year 2024 full-time new hires, funds distributed in March.
Submitted by the Faculty or Industry Advisor – one application per chapter.
Up to $1,000 per full-time new hire.
Photo must be submitted with the new-hire on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.

Affiliated Associations

Affiliated Association: Internship Grant Form

Due April 1, 2025 for 2025 plans, notifications in May.
Submitted by the Affiliated Association Executives. One application per Association, covering all related student chapters.
$5,000 grant (5 available).

Employers

Intended to offer support to companies that are new to offering internships, small companies, or those that are looking to grow their internship program.

Employer: Internship Grant Form

Due April 1, 2025 for 2025 planned internships, notifications in May.
Submitted by the company. One application per company location.
$1,000 grant (25 available)
- 8-week internship minimum may occur anytime during 2025.
- Intern may be from any 2- or 4-year accredited college or university.
- Following the internship, a photo must be submitted with the intern on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.

Thanksgiving Break is Prime Time for Internship and Job Browsing

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food and celebration. For college students, it’s also prime time for securing summer employment. The break in classes allows for some extra hours to browse job listings and figure out exactly where they want to be in May 2025.

Offer letters are coming in hot – don’t miss out on securing an intern or full-time new hire from one of our 40+ MCAA student chapters.

How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship

Login with an MCAA username and password.
Click on the job board within the Career Development page.
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting.

Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh.
When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month.
Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume.

Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume.
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process.

VIEW JOB BOARD

New jobs are highlighted every two weeks on the mcaagreatfutures Instagram page.

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to MCAA’s Michele Hoffman.

JRGF Internship Grant Upgrade & Additional Support Coming in 2025

The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) Internship Grant program will be upgraded for 2025, and will soon offer a new level of support for multiple entities involved with developing the future talent of our industry.

Student Chapters

Due January 15, 2025 (for calendar year 2024 interns).
Submitted by the Faculty or Industry Advisor.
Funds distributed in March 2025 to the student chapter.
Up to $500 per intern (8-week internship minimum, may occur anytime during 2024).
Up to $1,000 per full-time new hire from 2024.
One application per student chapter, per grant type.
- Intended to offer additional support to student chapters that are connecting students with internship and full-time employment in the mechanical contracting industry. Chapters are encouraged to utilize this funding to bring additional students to conferences such as the GreatFutures Forum or MCAA Convention.

Student Chapter Internship Grant Form (Internships)

Student Chapter Internship Grant Form (Full-Time New Hires)

Affiliated Associations

Due April 1, 2025 (for 2025 plans).
Submitted by the Affiliated Association Executives.
Notified of award by May 1, 2025. Check goes to the Affiliated Association.
$5,000 grant (5 available).
One application per Affiliated Association, covering all related student chapters.
- Intended to offer support for the development and growth of local student chapter programming that creates new employment opportunities or student inclusivity at events with potential employers, mentoring programs, or new student-focused resources.

Affiliated Association Internship Grant Form

Employers

Due April 1, 2025 (for 2025 interns)
Submitted by the company.
Notified of award by May 1, 2025, check to the company.
$1,000 grant (25 available).
One application accepted per company location.
Intern may be from any 2- or 4-year accredited college or university.
8-week internship minimum may occur anytime during 2025.
Following the internship, a photo must be submitted with the intern on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.
- Intended to offer support to companies that are new to offering internships, small companies, or those that are looking to grow their internship program.

Employer – Internship Grant Form

2024 Legacy Program (Employers) – Part 1 Internships

Due January 31, 2025, then will be discontinued.
Submit an application for each intern.
Companies with 1 intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant. Companies with 2 or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant.

Part 1 Legacy Program: Internship Form

2024 Legacy Program (Employers) – Part 2 Full-Time New Hires

Due December 31, 2025.
- To allow for Part 1 2024 interns to be hired upon graduation in 2025, the Part 2 Legacy Program will remain active until the close of 2025, and then will be discontinued.
For companies successfully converting an intern from their Part 1 Legacy list to a full-time new hire, a $500 check will be mailed to the company, to present to their new hire. New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included on a Part 1 Legacy list.

Part 2 Legacy Program: Full-Time New Hire Form

Student Chapters in the Community: Pitt State & UMD College Park

The MCAA student chapters at Pittsburg State University and the University of Maryland, College Park have been actively serving their communities this fall. MCAA celebrates their commitment to service by sharing their stories.

Pittsburg State University

MCAA Student Chapter members at Pittsburg State University created a Halloween costume for a local child with special needs.

(Pictured: Griffin Souder, the Heilman Family, Tabitha Watson, Aidan Wolownik – MCA Student Chapter President)

The 7-year-old elementary school student uses a walker, which limits the kind of costume he can wear. His mother entered a contest offered by Walkin’ & Rollin’ Costumes, a nationwide network of volunteers, sponsors and donors that provides costumes to children with special needs.

Aidan Wolownik and his classmates took on the task of creating an excavator costume for the child, who loves to be outside with his papa’s tractors. After spending two weeks working on the costume, the students delivered it and saw firsthand how the costume would change the family’s Halloween festivities.

“What I liked most about this project was seeing the joy it brought to the student. It was incredibly rewarding to create something that allowed him to express what he really likes. I also enjoyed the challenge of designing something unique that met his needs, and it was a great opportunity to be creative while making a positive impact.” (Aidan Wolownik)

University of Maryland, College Park

(Pictured: Gabriella Anthony and Francis T. Evans Elementary School students)

The University of Maryland, College Park student chapter read a construction-themed book, Grit Leads to Greatness, to third-grade students at Francis T. Evans Elementary School. Their goal: inspire the next generation to consider careers in the construction industry. This is the chapter’s second year reading to the school, and they plan to make the event an annual tradition.

(Pictured: Darell Payne – Assistant Principal, Gabriella Anthony – MCA Student Chapter VP, Rafiya Senghor – School Counselor)

The student chapter furthered their relationship with the school by donating $1,200 for much needed gym equipment and school supplies.

Share Your Story or Get Help Getting Involved

Congratulations to all of the MCAA Student Chapters that are assisting their local communities through volunteer work and charitable or educational projects.

Have an inspirational student chapter involvement story to share? Email MCAA Director of Career Development, Michele Hoffman (mhoffman@mcaa.org) with photos and details.
Need help creating a service project or getting involved with the community? Reach out to your Local Association Executives and Industry Advisors to set up a meeting. They will be happy to discuss community-based opportunities and ways to collaborate with local MCAA Members.

MCAA looks forward to sharing your story next!

Hire Me October – Don’t Delay for Interns & Employees in May!

There is no time like the present, especially when it comes to hiring for interns and full-time employees post-graduation. Although May 2025 seems light-years away, it is at the forefront of students’ minds right now! MCAA resources and the GreatFutures Job Board provide inspiration and a way to connect. Read on to learn more about them and how they can benefit your company.

Fresh off the MCAA GreatFutures Forum and in the midst of their local career fairs, many of the students are on the hunt for that perfect summer internship to explore a career in mechanical contracting. Likewise, seniors are ready to fully dive in and find their employment homes. Don’t miss out on hiring from the 2024-2025 class by waiting too long! Many offer letters are signed within the next few weeks and the pace picks up as the Thanksgiving holiday nears.

Now is the time to devote additional resources to hiring strategies. In 2023, the MCAA Career Development Committee released an MCAA Internship Guide, and specifically a Hire Me October segment, which highlights four unique ideas that could spark inspiration for hiring strategies.

Always wanted to hire an intern, but have held off because you didn’t know where to start? Check out the Internship Best Practices Guide for a timeline of events.

Have an intern identified, but are stuck with what to actually do with them once they are onsite at your office? First, read about hosting an Industry (or Company) Orientation Day. Then browse the Hot Sauce Guide for a list of tasks that is organized by skill-level (the hotter the ranking…the higher the skill level) instead of their academic year in school.

Tried everything to find an intern locally and still come up empty handed? Try casting a wider net by posting on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board to attract students from all 42 MCAA student chapters.

How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship

Login with an MCAA username and password.
Click on the job board within the Career Development page.
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting.

Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh.
When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month.
Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume.

Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resumes.
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process.

View Job Board

New jobs are highlighted every two weeks on the mcaagreatfutures Instagram page.

If you have questions about any of these resources, please reach out to MCAA’s Michele Hoffman.

Jobs Galore at MCAA GFF 24

Over 150 students from 34 MCAA student chapters, plus nearly 150 MCAA members and supporters attended the MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Seattle, WA at the end of September. This annual conference connects future professionals with MCAA members and the internship and full-time employment opportunities they offer. It also educates students about the ongoing changes in the field and the advantages of working in mechanical contracting.

As Career Development Committee Chair and GreatFutures Forum emcee Andrew Palcan said, “We love a good theme.”

Two years ago, students were asked to lean into “What is Mechanical Contracting” while on their journey to selecting a career. Last year, the message asked attendees to “Keep your eyes open… to the different paths to mechanical.” Now in 2024, the call to action has been made for our next generation to dig deep and take it upon themselves to be the innovative voices of the future. It’s their turn to “Move the Needle” in their careers and in our industry.

What will be the 2025 theme? You’ll have to be there to find out!

Save the Date

MCAA GreatFutures Forum
October 9-11, 2025
The Little America | Salt Lake City, UT

Job Fair Encouraged Networking

During the non-traditional job fair, students connected with MCAA members looking for interns and full-time new hires. Employers proudly sported their company shirts, and students were easily identifiable in gray MCAA branded attire. Upon entry, everyone grabbed beads to signify if they were looking for or offering an internship (yellow), a full-time position post-graduation (green), or if they were attending in a supportive role to help make introductions and to enjoy the bacon-themed breakfast (purple).

Students and employers networked their way through the room, traded contact information via their new digital business cards, and even had the opportunity for quick on-site interviews in a nearby room.

Job Board Connects Students to Internships & Careers Year-Round

Those who didn’t find the perfect employment pairing at GFF24, or who were unable to attend, are encouraged to check out the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board. Employers continually post new entry-level jobs and internships, so make the job board your first stop in finding your great future!

Job Board

New jobs and internships are highlighted on Instagram every two weeks. Don’t miss out on the latest posts! Be sure to follow us.

MCAAGreatFutures Instagram

How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship

Login with an MCAA username and password.
Click on the job board within the Career Development page.
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting.
Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh.
When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month.
Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume.
Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resumes.
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s regular application and interview process.

Thank You To Our 2024 MCAA GreatFutures Forum Sponsors!

MCAA’s Career Development Initiative works to build our industry’s great future for students and employers alike thanks to sponsoring companies like the ones above and significant financial support from the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF). Reach out to MCAA’s Michele Hoffman with questions or comments on our efforts.

Hiring for Summer 2025? Post on the Job Board to Get on MCAA Student Chapter Members’ Radar

Over 150 students from 34 chapters are registered for the 2024 MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Seattle, WA, at the end of the September. They will soon be scoping out MCAA’s GreatFutures Job Board for companies they would like to meet with onsite to discuss internships and entry-level full-time positions.

GFF24 Student Chapters in Attendance:

Alfred State College
Auburn University
Ball State University
Binghamton University
Bradley University
Buffalo State University
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
California State University, Chico
California State University, East Bay
California State University, Sacramento
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Iowa State University
Illinois State University
Indiana State University
Kansas State University
Kent State University
McMaster University
Missouri State University
Northern Kentucky University
Oregon State University
Pittsburg State University
Purdue University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of Manitoba
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Nebraska
University of Southern California
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Utica University
Virginia Tech
Washington State University
Wentworth Institute of Technology

Not attending GFF24? You can still post your job to start a conversation with interested students!

How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship

Login with an MCAA username and password.
Click on the job board within the Career Development page.
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting.
- Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh.
- When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month.
- Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume.
Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume.
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process.

VIEW JOB BOARD

How to Support Student Chapter Recruitment

The MCAA Career Development Committee recently rolled out a new eight-part Recruitment Guide that includes tailored resources for everyone to help pitch in and support our student chapters with their recruitment efforts on campus this fall.

In addition to a flyer and PowerPoint template for our students to use, four guides are available with content created specifically for Faculty Advisors, Local Association Executives and MCAA Members.

Example:

Student Chapter Recruitment Best Practices – For MCAA Members

Create Facetime Opportunities
Be Side by Side with your Local Association
Raffles & Swag – Who Doesn’t Love Free Stuff?
Competition Support
Fundraising Support
Community Service Partnerships
Communications & Publications – Their Success is Your Success!
Keep Up on MCAA Opportunities
Play the Long Game

Browse the Recruitment Guide today and reach out to your local student chapter to offer your assistance with recruiting efforts!

Recruitment Guide

GreatFutures Forum – Seattle: Register by August 30th!

Registration for the 2024 MCAA GreatFutures Forum will close soon. Don’t miss this opportunity to join MCAA and our generous sponsors for this three-day event that connects MCAA members with students interested in internship and full-time opportunities in mechanical contracting. MCAA Members, Sponsors, Local Affiliate Association Executives, Students, and Faculty Advisors all enjoy complimentary registration, so register today! All registrations and hotel bookings must be submitted by August 30^th.

Program Highlights

Thursday

Registration & Snack Station
Welcome / Presidential Message from Rick Gopffarth
Moving the Needle Panel
Trivia Announcement
Mastering the Swing of Social Etiquette
Topgolf – Offsite Activity and Dinner

Friday

Job Fair Prep for Students and Employers
Job Fair Breakfast
Innovation – An Intertwined Future Keynote with Tanmay Bakshi
Faculty / Industry Advisor and Student Chapter President Meetings
Competition Skills: Takeoff Basics
Lunch
24-25 Competition Introduction
MacDonald Miller Tour
Seattle Aquarium – Offsite Dinner

Saturday

Breakfast
The Mechanical Puzzle
Building Your Chapter Roundtables
Trivia Answers & Prizes, Alumni head-to-head
Wrap-Up and Lunch Gift Cards

2024 MCAA GreatFutures Forum
September 26 – 28 | The Westin Seattle

GreatFutures Forum Registration & Information

Not sure if the GreatFutures Forum is right for you? Check out this video!

Archives: News Items

2024 ‘Legacy’ Internship Grant Timeline

2025 Internship Program Timeline

2024 ‘Legacy’ Internship Grants

2025 Internship Program – Forms Now Available!

Student Chapters

Affiliated Associations

Employers

2024 ‘Legacy’ Internship Grant Timeline

2025 Internship Program Timeline

2024 ‘Legacy’ Internship Grants

2025 Internship Program – Forms Now Available!

Student Chapters

Affiliated Associations

Employers

Student Chapters

Affiliated Associations

Employers

2024 Legacy Program (Employers) – Part 1 Internships

2024 Legacy Program (Employers) – Part 2 Full-Time New Hires

Pittsburg State University

University of Maryland, College Park

Share Your Story or Get Help Getting Involved

Save the Date

Job Fair Encouraged Networking

Job Board Connects Students to Internships & Careers Year-Round

How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship

Thank You To Our 2024 MCAA GreatFutures Forum Sponsors!

GFF24 Student Chapters in Attendance:

How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship

Program Highlights

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Thank You to Our Generous GFF24 Sponsors