The Role
The Summer Associate Program is your opportunity to build a comprehensive understanding of the construction industry and our business.
As a summer associate, you will be fully embedded with a team on a jobsite or in a department, gaining hands-on experience across project management, field management, project development, and business operations.
Beyond your project work, you will become an integrated member of the Atkinson community through training and development opportunities. Build your network through social events and jobsite tours, and sharpen your skills with formal training sessions led by Atkinson experts.
Other cornerstones of the Summer Associate Program include:
The Capstone Project: You'll align with a manager to define your professional objectives. Throughout the season, you'll monitor your development and achievements. Your experience will conclude by curating a presentation to reflect on your journey and share your progress with our teams and leadership.
The Passport Experience: A curated series of experiences designed to guide your summer journey. The Passport showcases the full breadth of Atkinson’s business, helps you establish meaningful connections across the company, and ensures you gain essential industry knowledge.
This immersive, full-time program runs for 10-12 weeks and begins in mid May or early June.
Responsibilities
Throughout the summer, you will be exposed to:
Project Management: Working in project management gives you an understanding of the day-to-day and long-term business and financial management associated with construction projects.
Financial Management
Document Control
Trade Partner Success
Field Management: Learn the intricacies of the building process, assist in site logistics, and ensure quality and safety on our jobsites.
Quality Control and Safety
Project Schedule
Critical Thinking
Project Development: Understand how we acquire new work, develop winning strategies, and build strong client relationships through budgeting, estimating, and purchasing.
Budgeting
Estimating
Purchasing
Business Operations: Explore the essential functions that keep our company running smoothly, gaining a holistic view of the Atkinson organization.
Basic Qualifications
Currently attending university and working to complete a bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, mechanical engineering or a related field
Interest and passion for the construction industry
What a Successful Candidate Looks Like
We look for individuals who embody these core principles:
Enthusiasm & Drive: Be punctual and dedicated, staying until work is done. Arrive early for meetings and events. Be a proactive team player – ask how you can help and be present. Take initiative, represent the company professionally (dress, demeanor), and build trust with your team, clients, and stakeholders. Proactively seek ways to contribute to team success, and always maintain a positive attitude.
Delivery & Performance: Reliably meet the expectations of your role and commitments. Understand and follow Atkinson’s standard procedures. Take on new responsibilities, dig into the details, and bring solutions to problems. Take ownership, be accountable, and demonstrate responsiveness with a sense of urgency.
Learning & Growth: Immerse yourself in Atkinson's culture, your team, and your community. Be engaged, accountable, and self-directed in your learning – be curious! Continuously build your technical expertise and grow your business acumen.
The work environment and requirements described below are representative of those necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role.
The Physical Side of the Role : This is an active, hands-on role. You can expect to be on your feet frequently, navigating active job sites with uneven terrain, stairs, ladders, and hoists. The work is physically demanding and requires a full range of motion, including bending, kneeling, and reaching. You’ll need to be…