The industry is demanding innovative engineers who have the skills to manage people as well as the ability to design and manage projects.
Traditional engineering programs aren’t meeting industry demands because they continue to only focus on project design and management skills. Because of this, the construction industry demanded more and the CEM program was founded.
Our corporate partners influence, develop, and sustain a construction engineering program that makes a global impact.
To meet the demands of industry, the CEM curriculum is around 80% construction engineering and 20% management courses—and our classes are taught by industry experts who bring their own real-world experiences to the classroom.
The curriculum, coupled with strong leadership from our industry partners, is a tremendous benefit to young engineers. Now, students gain strategic knowledge and experience before they enter the workforce.
CEM is a global leader in construction engineering that produces engineers who are proficient in all aspects of project development, execution, and leadership.
Providing the construction industry with engineering leaders requires deep experiential learning through industry partners. These partnerships are intended to enhance classroom education through hands-on, real-world experience.
Because our engineering degree program was built by the construction industry, we:
- Respond to the needs of the industry
- Involve practitioners in the CEM program
- Provide quality graduates that can make a global impact
Learn how you can be part of influencing and developing the next generation of construction engineers.
Program Overview
CEM students are required to complete three internships beginning the summer between their freshman and sophomore years. Since 1976, over 200 U.S. and global organizations have sponsored CEM student interns, and these partnerships have become the backbone of our innovative internship program.
Firm Selection
Most industry partner firms are general contractors, specialty contractors, construction managers, consultants, or owners with significant field construction activities. Firms are selected by Purdue based on their ability to provide a student intern with meaningful and challenging work experience on significant construction projects.
Student Guidance
Students typically work under the supervision of a mentor/supervisor in the firm who plans and assigns the intern work tasks—which should progressively enhance responsibilities. Advice, assistance, and support to the student intern also begins with the firm's mentor/supervisor, who is a key "faculty member" in the CEM student's overall education.
Program Resources
Purdue works closely with sponsor firms to enhance the quality of the internship experience including publishing the CEM-Experiential Learning Handbook—a concise aid for industry workers who supervise interns.
The nature and value of internship experiences is monitored and we collaborate on ways to improve the intern and firm’s experience.
Additionally, we hold workshops at Purdue to assist new sponsor firms in deciding how best to carry out their mentoring roles.
For specific enrollment and graduation data, please click here.
Student Internship Assignments
Assigning student interns to matching industry partners is our responsibility—which we take very seriously. This is why we have set protocols for finding the best matches for both the student and firms. In fact, forty years of experience has shown that everyone is best served when the Director of Internships connects and directs the assignments of every first-year student-to-firm connection.
CEM is passionate about teaching, coaching, and mentoring students so that they excel academically and professionally.
Because of this, the Director of Internships can effectively create each assignment based on personal knowledge of the student's aptitudes, attitudes, and goals as well as the needs and corporate culture of the firm. Additionally, the director works closely with a firm's representative who will approve the student assignment to maximize successful matches.
Every industry partner firm is invited to the annual Spring Internship Banquet, held at Purdue in early April. This event connects sponsor firms and students to arrange job reporting details. The success rate of intern assignments averages 95% based on our partners’ evaluations of first-year student performances.
Become an Industry Partner
Many firms find the CEM intern program a valuable component of their recruiting activities, and we welcome all construction organizations desiring to develop versatile engineers from the ground up.
Keys to Success
Our students are ready to learn and the keys to a successful partnership include transparent communication and a commitment to provide a high-value experience through experiential learning for the student.
Administrative Requirements
We require a signed Memorandum of Agreement with Purdue CEM that states the firm will:
- Employ the intern for three work periods (assuming satisfactory student performance)
- Pay an intern wage at or above the minimum set by our Industry Advisory Board
- Pay certain reimbursements (e.g. travel to work location etc.)
- Provide CEM with an evaluation of the student's performance at the end of each work period
For more information or to discuss sponsor firm arrangements please contact:
Brandon M. Fulk, P.E.
The Walsh Group Director of Internships
Construction Engineering and Management
We develop versatile engineers who have the skills to manage people as well as the ability to design and manage projects.
In 1976, our construction engineering degree program was built from the ground up by the industry. This means that we respond to industry needs and develop versatile engineers who can solve complex challenges and can lead and manage both people and projects.
Connect with CEM Students and Graduates
Employers interested in hiring Purdue Construction Engineering and Management students can register with our online database.
Following registration, companies can request to set up on-campus interviews and access student resumes. Students can also access company postings, sign up for interviews, and post resumes online.
If you have questions, please contact us.
Bring your expertise, insights, and real-world experiences into the CEM classroom.
Construction practitioners are frequently invited to give seminars or to speak to CEM students about construction-related topics.
Additionally, we retain a CEM Advisory Board, which consists of industry representatives who participate in focused curriculum reviews. They also help to modernize and improve our course offerings and content to reflect and respond to the needs of the construction industry.
Our students can learn through your insights, experiences, and leadership. Please connect with us to learn how you can make an impact in our classrooms.
