GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Wolverine Building Group, a commercial construction company in West Michigan, enhances its summer internship program with a group of interns. The program provides students with the opportunity to enter the field with practical experience in design-build, general contracting, and construction management.

“It’s a talented group that is starting. ... It’s great to watch them connect and learn with our team. It’s a true sign of summer when the internship group begins their work,” said Curt Mulder, President of Wolverine Building Group. “We developed this next phase of the internship program to provide students with direct exposure to essential aspects of the construction industry. This practical experience develops the skills they need to advance in their careers.”

The internship program launches this month with students from a variety of majors, including construction management, engineering, and architecture. Interns will have the opportunity to work on diverse projects, including new construction, renovation, and maintenance. These students will be shadowing experienced professionals at all levels of the company to better understand Wolverine’s approach to construction leadership.

“We are providing a unique internship experience to accomplish a number of goals. By giving these young professionals time on active projects with our team, we introduce them to our culture and values,” said Mulder, who began his career as an intern at Wolverine. “Wolverine is now ahead of the curve in cultivating young professional’s experience with our unrivaled approach to commercial construction.”

Interns will be directed in their daily tasks by a Project Manager or Project Superintendent, with practical applications of skills such as project phasing and scheduling to building relationships with subcontractors. There are regular social events to connect with their cohort throughout the summer program.

“Everyone has been welcoming and genuinely excited to get us started,” said Alexandra Fongers, a junior at Michigan State University in construction management. “My team is building a Taco Bell this summer, and I am most looking forward to watching all the aspects of this project come together. It gives me a real chance to apply what I’ve learned so far.”

The internship program began with students fanning out to their respective jobsites throughout the region, as far as Alabama. Students represent four colleges, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Michigan State University, and High Point University in North Carolina.