Kiewit Corporation scholars program gives students gives students practical experience

A new partnership with Purdue Civil Engineering is designed not only to prepare students for their careers — but to become the next generation of leaders in their industries.

In 2022, Kiewit Corporation kicked off its newest program aimed at connecting Lyles School of Civil Engineering students with professionals. The goal, organizers said, is to not only enhance the students’ practical experience, but teach them how to be a part of — and eventually lead — a team of engineers.

Kiewit Vice President Jim Rowings said this program is geared toward students who see themselves as future leaders and are willing to work hard to achieve their goals.

“The ideal students for this program are ones that have grit and have strived to overcome personal challenges,” Rowings said. “We’re looking for that student who wants to grow beyond just the technical curriculum and has leadership aspirations.”

The inaugural class is made up of 15 students — five sophomores, five juniors and five seniors — who went through a selection process that included written essays and in-person interviews. Students have taken part in multiple workshops and lectures to improve their résumé and interviewing skills as well as taken part in team exercises to simulate real-life work environment projects and issues that require collaboration to solve.

Program member and civil engineering sophomore Sydney Kroon said the experiences and opportunities she has gained already have proven to be invaluable.

“This program has been a perfect fit for me and was exactly what I had been looking for since I came to Purdue,” Kroon said. “I have my eyes set on entering a field like construction where I can be in the field and serve as a project manager. I want to be out there and get involved — and this program has been perfect in giving me the chance to prepare for that exact type of situation.”

Rowings said he is already incredibly proud of the class and sees a bright future for both the program and the students involved.

“These students are such an accomplished group — and we are already planning ways to further expand the program to better prepare them,” he said. “It is our goal to see that these students — paired with an amazing Purdue education — have all the other tools necessary to not only be an immediate contributor to a company, but be seen as one of its future leaders.”