• Breadth of experience
• List of duties and responsibilities by term of assignment
• Mentoring and feedback programs
• Locations (map)
• Relocation assistance
• Testimonials
• Co-Ops in action
• Life after Co-Oping – Typical Career
• Recruiting Successes and Recruiting Schedule
• University Flyer
• Attention Electrical Students

Testimonials

    I am a four semester veteran of the Crowder Co-Op experience.  My first semester I worked in project management on various projects such as the Neuse River EQ Basin, Neuse River WWTP, Hope Mills Bridge Repair and a few others.  I was able to get a general feel of the construction process and really learned a lot about doing takeoffs, pricing materials, and dealing with vendors and subs. 

The second semester I was in estimating which involved doing takeoffs and using the Quest estimating software to bid several jobs. 

My third and fourth semesters I was on the North side WWTP team in Wilmington.  During this time I mainly worked on production drawings in AutoCAD.  These production drawings show exactly how the concrete slabs and walls are to be placed with block outs for penetrations.  Also, while working for the Wilmington team, I was able to go to the jobsite a few days and get to see the whole magnitude of the projects in which I had been working on for two semesters. 

Overall, I enjoyed my Co-Op experience and feel that it will be useful when I graduate and I start searching for jobs.   
  Todd Horton – Fall 2006

I am currently working my third Co-Op rotation for Crowder Construction Company in the Estimating department.  In estimating, we perform takeoffs and solicit subcontractors for pricing in order to get an estimate of what it would cost to build a job.  I have rotated through different divisions, which has enabled me to see the different aspects of an entire job.  Working in estimating has given me a general overview of what goes into a project.  In estimating, we work to win jobs in order to hand-off the jobs to project management, which is where I worked my first two Co-Op rotations.

In project management, we are given a budget, which comes from the estimate, used to build a project.  During my previous Co-Op rotation, I worked on site with the Northside WWTP team in Wilmington, NC.  Working on site enables you to see with your eyes how a project is built and see how the management team affects a job.  Some of my responsibilities included performing take-offs, purchasing material in accordance with specifications, corresponding with subs and vendors, producing as-built and production drawings, and submitting submittals and RFIs to the engineer.

I worked in the Apex office in project management for my first Co-Op rotation.  I worked on the Neuse River WWTP, EM Johnson WTP, and Walnut Creek Lift Station projects.  I had many of the same responsibilities as I did for the Northside WWTP, but split between various smaller projects and working in a different atmosphere.  In project management you look at detailed portions of a job, and you work on a job for extended periods whereas in estimating you see an entire job for a couple weeks.  All in all, my Co-Op experience with Crowder has enabled me to get a general understanding of the construction industry as a whole.

My experience working with Crowder was both educational and enjoyable.  I would recommend it.   

   Chris Burton – Summer 2008

My name is Geoffrey Conklin and I currently have three quarters of Co-Op experience with Crowder Construction.  During my first quarter I contributed to the Cherry Point MCAS WWTP through in-office project management.  I participated in all aspects of project management and learned a vast amount about the construction process including pricing, vendor relations and subcontractors. 

My second quarter I worked in the field on the Wilmington WWTP.  I primarily worked with purchasing material, scheduling and hiring subcontractors.  This experience allowed me to see everything I had been working on being installed which gave me a new sense of accomplishment and job satisfaction.  Understanding the difference between what is in the field and what is on paper can save hours of confusion. 

I am currently in the midst of my third quarter with Crowder Construction working out of the Conyers office outside Atlanta, GA.  We were recently awarded a bid for the Cedar Creek WRF in Athens, GA.  I have learned many new processes including job start up, take-off's, vendor contracts, labor reports, and scheduling. 

The Crowder Construction Co-Op experience has been an excellent source of knowledge and information.  The experience I have gained through my fellow co-workers and the tasks I have been assigned will be extremely valuable after I graduate from the University of Cincinnati.  I enjoyed the Co-Op experience thoroughly and have made new friends and contacts in three cities.  I am looking forward to a continued experience with Crowder Construction.  

 Geoffrey Conklin – Summer 2008

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