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Titan Mechanical Intern Receives MCAA Internship Grant

Titan Mechanical presented Colton Battin with an MCAA Internship Grant at the start of his summer internship. The grant, which is funded by the John R. Gentille Foundation, will help subsidize his expenses while he gains valuable work experience this summer.

Colton is a senior at Bowling Green State University, where he is studying Construction Management. He will be graduating in December 2020. Colton is a member of the new student chapter at Bowling Green State University, sponsored by the MCA of Northwestern, Ohio, Inc.

This is Colton’s second year interning with Titan Mechanical. He has been successful in the office setting since the impacts of COVID-19, simultaneously social distancing while effectively fulfilling responsibilities as an intern. His work involves estimating, assisting project managers. Some of his duties will be reaching out to sub-contractors, vendors and assisting in implementing Titan Mechanical Inc.’s new estimating software. 

John E. Gray, President of Titan Mechanical, had this to say, “Colton will be an asset to any organization moving forward, he really has a thirst for knowledge and wants to be apart of the industry moving forward.” 

About the MCAA Internship Grants

Having MCAA interns working at member companies is a win-win for the mechanical contracting industry. Employers get top talent and build a pipeline of future employees. Students gain experience, create connections, develop skills and further their interest in mechanical contracting. In paying the student instead of the employer, MCAA’s goal is to increase the overall number of interns and drive the overall number of talented employees accepting full-time positions after graduation.

How the Grant Application Process Works

The MCAA member company will first ensure a prospective intern is in good standing at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or technical school. While MCAA encourages its members to give priority to students from the MCAA Student Chapter Program, this is not a requirement to receive a grant.

Each MCAA member company can submit up to two internship grant applications per year. Once an application is reviewed and accepted, MCAA will send a $500 gift card to the member company so it can present the Gift Card to the student at the start of their internship.

MCAA will follow-up with each company and intern to ensure the process and overall internship was successful.

Start Your Search for Top Talent Today

MCAAGreatFutures.org gives members access to student profiles and resumes. The profiles are searchable by university, desired location, and even a specific skill set, like BIM or AutoCAD. A keyword filter allows users to zero in on students who fit the bill.

Not finding a match? Try reaching out to our 60 MCAA Student Chapters. The chapter advisors are a great resource to help find the right person. And, MCAA members have exclusive access to post job openings on our job board.

Help build our industry’s GreatFuture – apply for a grant!

GreatFutures Forum Cancelled – Virtual Education Program Plans to Come

In light of COVID-19-related restrictions and in the best interests of our members and the students, MCAA has made the decision to cancel the in-person GreatFutures Forum scheduled for October 1-3 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The MCAA Career Development Committee is currently working on the GreatFutures Virtual Education Program that will be scheduled throughout the fall. All students, faculty advisors and MCAA members will be welcome to participate. The annual MCAA Student Chapter Competition project, will not be impacted by this cancellation. The MCAA Student Chapter Competition will be released virtually to the student chapters during the Virtual Education Program.

The MCAA Career Development Committee’s ultimate goal is to continue to create programming and education that will help cultivate the next generation of mechanical contracting industry leaders.

With that in mind, we are trying to gain a better understanding of our contractors’ hiring needs for the next year. Please take a few minutes to let us know your plans.

Take the Survey

Start Your Search for Top Talent Today

While an in-person job fair is not currently feasible, members can visit MCAAGreatFutures.org for access to student profiles and resumes. The profiles are searchable by university, desired location, and even a specific skill set, like BIM or AutoCAD. A keyword filter allows users to zero in on students who fit the bill.

Not finding a match? Try reaching out to our 60 MCAA Student Chapters. The chapter advisors are a great resource to help find the right person. And, MCAA members have exclusive access to post job openings on our job board.

Please contact Megan Walsh if you have questions about the GreatFutures program and any of our student activities.

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: A Pathway to the Industry

In this Beyond the Classroom video, you will meet Harry Bederian, a Senior Project Engineer at ARB, Inc. The past MCAA Student Chapter President talks about how his involvement with both CPMCA and MCAA helped open the door to his career.

He also discusses how MCAA GreatFutures can be a pathway for other students’ careers and helps showcase the vast opportunities available in the mechanical contracting industry.

Recruit the Best Talent – Apply for MCAA Internship Grants!

This year, $500 MCAA Internship Grants are being offered to students who accept internships or full-time positions thanks to funding from the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF). MCAA members can use these grants to help them attract much-needed talent, and interns will appreciate the investment in their success. This small gesture may be the beginning of a great future with your company.

Internship Success

MCAA members are leveraging the internship grants for their interns this summer.

Enginuty LLC presented Matthew Lawrence and Andrew Clancy with MCAA student internship grants at the start of their internships this summer. Matthew is working as a service department sales assistant and Andrew is a project assistant.

Read the full Story HERE.

Bryce Danielson, this year’s Alan O’Shea Memorial Scholarship recipient is continuing his internship for MCA of Omaha member Ray Martin Company. “I have been challenged with many tasks which include estimating and preparing bids, writing purchase orders and subcontracts, and helping with project management duties. They gave me opportunities that no other company would give a first-year intern.”

Read the full Story HERE.

How the Grant Application Process Works

The MCAA member company will first ensure a prospective intern is in good standing at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or technical school. While MCAA encourages its members to give priority to students from the MCAA Student Chapter Program, this is not a requirement to receive a grant.

Each MCAA member company can submit up to two internship grant applications per year. Once an application is reviewed and accepted, MCAA will send a $500 gift card to the member company so it can present the gift card to the student at the start of their internship.

MCAA will follow-up with each company and intern to ensure the process and overall internship was successful.

Start Your Search for Top Talent Today

MCAAGreatFutures.org gives members access to student profiles and resumes. The profiles are searchable by university, desired location, and even a specific skill set, like BIM or AutoCAD. A keyword filter allows users to zero in on students who fit the bill.

Not finding a match? Try reaching out to our 60 MCAA Student Chapters. The chapter advisors are a great resource to help find the right person. And, MCAA members have exclusive access to post job openings on our job board.

Help build our industry’s GreatFuture – apply for a grant!

Purdue University Advisor Receives Faculty Continuing Education Grant

Ryan Manual, Assistant Professor of Practice for Purdue University, has received a Faculty Continuing Education Grant funded by the John R. Gentille Foundation. Ryan is the current faculty advisor of the MCAA Student Chapter at Purdue.

The Faculty Continuing Education Grant encourages MCAA members to employ college or university faculty on a part-time basis by subsidizing the faculty member’s salary. By working for a MCAA member, faculty gains a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that students may face and are thus better prepared to advise them.

Working with D.A. Dodd

This summer, Ryan will be working as a Temporary Project Advisor with MCA of Indiana member company D.A. Dodd. After meeting with each other, Ryan and D.A. Dodd found the opportunity to be mutually beneficial, the company will grow closer to academia, assisting in helping attract young talent to their organization.

Ryan discussed what he hopes to get out of the two-month position. “I am responsible for teaching all of the mechanical content in our undergraduate curriculum at Purdue. I believe my experience at D.A. Dodd, will improve my lessons and generate ideas to create more engaging learning experiences for my students. I will use this opportunity to strengthen my knowledge in the mechanical contracting industry while staying current with industry practices and trends that I will take directly to the classroom.”

As a temporary project advisor, Ryan will work alongside local and corporate project managers to gain an understanding of their roles, observe the day-to-day functions of a mechanical contractor, and provide insight regarding internship and entry level hiring programs.

Essential responsibilities will include:

• Review challenges and inefficiencies regarding Project Manager procedures, precedence, design clarifications, adequate labor and equipment, schedules, and any other applicable issues

• Assist as needed in managing day-to-day field operations of mechanical, HVAC, or plumbing projects

• Read, analyze, and interpret plans, specifications, controls, drawings, service bulletins, technical procedure manuals, equipment specifications, and government regulations

• Work with Human Resources to restructure and promote D.A. Dodd’s part-time and full-time internship programs

Our New Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide Is Available Online

The full-featured digital version of MCAA’s Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide enhances the look and feel of our printed directory. Download your copy for digital-only benefits that help you stay connected throughout the year. Printed copies are in the mail. Whichever version you choose to use, the directory is free as a benefit of membership.

The digital version of the directory helps you:

  • Network from anywhere with linked email addresses.
  • Connect with the companies, products and services that interest you using linked web addresses.
  • Get where you’re going…fast…with bookmarks and a linked table of contents.
  • Find advertisers instantly with a linked advertiser index.

Download Your Copy

Have updates? Please share! Contact Jan Grillo for assistance updating your member record at any time.

MCAA Iowa State Student Chapter Graduate Continues to Strengthen Her Career

Paige Taylor, a 2018 Construction Engineering graduate from Iowa State University, is building her career as a project manager at MMC Contractors, an MCA of Iowa, Inc. member. She initially connected with MMC at a career fair hosted by her MCAA Student Chapter in 2017.

“Over the summer, I interned with the company in Des Moines and learned the service side of the business,” she says. “I returned to ISU for my senior year, then after graduation, I joined the construction department full-time.”

As a part of the construction team in Des Moines, Paige has worn many hats, facing a different challenge every week. Her responsibilities have included:

  • Estimating
  • Writing RFP responses
  • HVAC design
  • Developing jobs through pre-construction
  • Aiding in company software transitions
  • Managing projects on her own

“Overall, it has been a blast to get to be a contributor to the growth of the company in the Des Moines market,” she explains.

In June, Paige will be relocating to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a new opportunity in her career with MMC Contractors.

MCAA and WiMI Involvement

“In an industry that is all about relationships, MCAA and the Iowa State University student chapter gave me opportunities to start building them even before my first day full-time on the job.”

Paige served as the event coordinator for the chapter, organizing job site tours and helping coordinate their industry networking event hosted each semester. She attended the 2018 MCAA Annual Convention, where she was part of the Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) kickoff event.

She is still actively involved at Iowa State, where she serves as an industry mentor for the construction engineering learning community, working with a group of four to five new students each semester. Paige has also hosted job tours for the Iowa State Student Chapter members and attends the chapter’s “Industry Social” every year.

Paige had the opportunity to attend the 2019 Women in the Mechanical Industry Conference in Chicago. She joined the WiMI Mentor Program in January 2020. She says of the experience, “I was paired with an accomplished mentor who acts as a sounding board and provides advice backed by knowledge from her time in the industry. A great resource from WiMI!”

As she continues her career in mechanical contracting, Paige offers advice to current students. “Network as much as you study. Do not be afraid to ask for what you want in your career and reach a little. Interviews are a two-way street, it’s a chance for you to get to know the company and people who drive its success.”

Enginuity LLC Leverages MCAA Internship Grants to Attract Top Talent

Enginuity, LLC presented Matthew Lawrence and Andrew Clancy with MCAA student internship grants at the start of their internships. The grants, which are funded by the John R. Gentille Foundation, will help subsidize the interns’ expenses while they gain valuable work experience this summer.

Meet the Interns

Andrew Clancy with his MCAA internship grant.

Matthew Lawrence is a sophomore at ACE Tech School, where he is studying Marketing. This is his second year as an Enginuity, LLC intern. He is working as a service department sales assistant, writing proposals and coordinating service for clients as well as coordinating with vendors and subcontractors. He also visits job sites to collect information for estimating, processing submittals and approving invoices.

Andrew Clancy is a freshman at Messiah College studying Mechanical Engineering. He will be working as a project assistant, focusing on submittal processing, coordinating with subcontractors and vendors, productivity tracking and material take-off.

About the MCAA Internship Grants

Having MCAA interns working at member companies is a win-win for the mechanical contracting industry. Employers get top talent and build a pipeline of future employees. Students gain experience, create connections, develop skills and further their interest in mechanical contracting. In paying the student instead of the employer, MCAA’s goal is to increase the overall number of interns and drive the overall number of talented employees accepting full-time positions after graduation.

How the Grant Application Process Works

The MCAA member company will first ensure a prospective intern is in good standing at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or technical school. While MCAA encourages its members to give priority to students from the MCAA Student Chapter Program, this is not a requirement to receive a grant.

Each MCAA member company can submit up to two internship grant applications per year. Once an application is reviewed and accepted, MCAA will send a $500 gift card to the member company so it can present the Gift Card to the student at the start of their internship.

MCAA will follow-up with each company and intern to ensure the process and overall internship was successful.

Start Your Search for Top Talent Today

MCAAGreatFutures.org gives members access to student profiles and resumes. The profiles are searchable by university, desired location, and even a specific skill set, like BIM or AutoCAD. A keyword filter allows users to zero in on students who fit the bill.

Not finding a match? Try reaching out to our 60 MCAA Student Chapters. The chapter advisors are a great resource to help find the right person. And, MCAA members have exclusive access to post job openings on our job board.

Help build our industry’s GreatFuture – apply for a grant!

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: Shaping a Career

In this month’s Beyond the Classroom, you will meet Andrew Palcan, a Project Engineer at Mechanical Inc. Palcan is a past MCAA Student Chapter member and an Architectural Engineering graduate from Milwaukee School of Engineering. Palcan talks about the career opportunities that arose from his involvement with MCAA GreatFutures. He discusses some of his experiences from past MCAA events and the MCAA Student Chapter Competition.

Palcan is currently a member of the MCAA Career Development Committee, which is made up of member contractors, whose aim is to provide education and resources to student chapter members. The committee’s goal is to connect students with members by creating networking and employment opportunities while ultimately cultivating the next generation of industry leaders in mechanical contracting.

Jonathan Dang Receives Foster McCarl, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Jonathan Dang, a senior at Indiana State University, has been awarded the Foster McCarl, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. The national scholarship honors Foster McCarl, Jr.’s many contributions to advancing the mechanical contracting industry, including his efforts toward establishing what is now known as the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF).

Academic Experience

Jonathan is the President of the MCA of Indiana-sponsored student chapter at Indiana State University, where he is pursuing a degree in Safety Management with a Construction Management minor.

Asked about his interest in the industry, he explained, “Unlike other fields, there is always a high demand in the mechanical contracting industry. One of the biggest appeals is the fact that the mechanical industry is not afraid to invest in students and our futures.”

During his three years as a student chapter member, Jonathan has attended the MCAA Annual Convention and both the 2018 and 2019 Great Futures Forum. He also learned how to estimate and build a schedule and picked up valuable life skills, such as team-building, how to communicate with teammates and being bold to get things done.

Work Experience

In 2017, Jonathan worked for MCAA member company Sycamore Engineering as a safety intern and a member of the preventative maintenance team. He has since accepted a full-time position with Freitag-Weinhardt, Inc., in Terre Haute, Indiana. He will join the company after he graduates in December 2020.

Jonathan says, “I look forward to learning about new technologies and how to incorporate them into the industry in order to make the work place a safer environment and maximize profit.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Jonathan on this distinguished scholarship and on finding his great future in the mechanical contracting industry.