By Malcolm Shields
For many college students, the summer months are spent away from campus relaxing and enjoying the summer break.
Not for Oscar Morejon.
The senior construction management major from the OHL School of Construction has had his hands full this summer, interning with Suffolk Construction in Miami while attending six classes at FIU.
Morejon, 23, came in contact with Suffolk Construction during a career expo hosted by the OHL School of Construction. From his first day at Suffolk in May, Morejon has been immersed in the corporate construction environment.
Morejon went to the Suffolk headquarters in West Palm Beach for a two-day orientation where he was informed about the company’s protocols and culture.
“They give you the resources to succeed,” Morejon said, including a laptop, iPad and uniform.
During his internship, Morejon assists some of Suffolk’s executives and project managers by maintaining drawing logs and sending requests for information.
He also works in the field, completing daily reports and keeping all safety documentation up to date.
Oscar Morejon looks over drawings of the 13-story parking garage that he is working on to build in downtown Miami during his internship with Suffolk Construction. (Photo by RKphotography)
One of the projects he has been working on is the construction of a 13-story parking garage in downtown Miami that will have two residential towers of 32 and 28 stories.
The garage will include a Whole Foods Market on the first level and an amenity deck on the 13th floor.
Jerry Snell, internship supervisor and general superintendent for Suffolk Construction, has been impressed with Morejon’s versatility.
“He is a very intelligent guy,” Snell said. “As long as I have been in this business, Oscar is one of the best in terms of interns.”
For Morejon, handling multiple tasks is nothing new.
Along with a full-time job, he is an honor student at FIU, a member of the Sigma Lambda Chi Construction Honor Society, the Sigma Alpha Lambda National Honor and Leadership Society and the FIU chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Morejon said that being able to work full-time and go to class has helped him with his time management skills.
“My focus is completely on work and school,” Morejon said. “I force myself to be as efficient as possible.”
Morejon anticipates graduating from FIU in December. He expects to intern with Suffolk Construction until he graduates. He describes the experience as invaluable.
“It has paved the way for success,” he said. “The experience I am gaining here will help me to apply everything that I have learned in school.”
Snell said he expects Morejon’s time at Suffolk to continue beyond the internship.
“He will be here with Suffolk if I have anything to do with it,” Snell said. “He has a job with Suffolk.”
source: http://news.fiu.edu/2013/08/ohl-school-of-construction-student-excels-in-summer-internship/64973