Meet Our Construction
Management Interns
An internship with Summit Design + Build is a great opportunity for college students to learn first-hand what a career in construction is all about! Our internship program is designed so that our interns gain the most valuable, impactful experience while having fun, in the hopes that they come back to grow their careers with us. From day one our interns are immersed in our active construction projects, working side-by-side with our project managers, project engineers, estimators, and superintendents. Over the course of their internship, Summit Design + Build interns also get to conduct multiple site visits followed by intern team lunches at Chicago’s hottest spots. Interns also participate in intern happy hours, lunch and learns, Summit social gatherings and Summit team-building events!
Get to Know Our Interns
We sat down with three of our interns to get an inside scoop of what it is like to intern at Summit Design + Build. We spoke with Sahil Patel (Majoring in Civil Engineering with a primary in Construction Management at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign), Painton Jeppe (Majoring in International Affairs at University of Colorado-Boulder), and Jake Duerr (Majoring in Finance and minoring in Engineering Technology at the University of Dayton), who is back for his third consecutive summer! We sat down with our interns to learn what intrigues them about the construction industry, what makes them thrive, and what their future construction goals are.
Why did you decide to intern with Summit Design + Build?
Sahil: “I enjoyed speaking with the recruiters at the career fair and their portfolio of impressive projects caught my attention. I wanted to work for a smaller general contractor who focused on their interns, and Summit does exactly that. I know that interning with Summit would provide me with invaluable hands-on experience and the opportunity to work with a team of industry experts.”
Painton: “Summit is a smaller general contractor that is doing big gc work. Also, it is a very inclusive and encouraging work environment.”
Jake: “What made me decide to intern with SDB was the experience I have gained from my previous internships and the people I have been able to work with. Each summer I have learned something new whether that be working in Cost Estimation, Pre-Construction, or On-going Construction.”
What are you looking forward to most during this internship?
Sahil: “During this internship, I am most excited about collaborating with professionals who share my passion for sustainable design. I look forward to being involved in the entire construction process, from initial concepts to the final stages of project completion. I am eager to learn from the best in the field and gain practical knowledge that will enhance my skills as a project engineer.”
Jake: “What I am looking forward to most during this internship is to learn more about the different aspects/details that go into each specific trade.”
Painton: “To be working on-site and seeing the projects develop from start to finish.”
What has been your favorite thing so far?
Sahil: “One of the coolest things about this internship has been the chance to visit construction sites and witness the transformation of architectural plans into physical structures. It’s truly amazing to see how each detail and decision made during the design phase comes to life. I find it incredibly fulfilling to be a part of such a dynamic and creative process.”
Painton: “To be working on-site and seeing the projects develop from start to finish.”
Jake: “My favorite thing about my internship has been the ability to be on-site for the 718 Main St project multiple times a week.”
Favorite Chicago sports team?
Sahil: “Chicago Bulls”
Painton: “Cubbies”
Jake: “Chicago Bears”
Best part of Chicago Summer?
Sahil: “The best thing about Chicago summer is the outdoor festivals, concerts, and beach days along Lake Michigan. The warm weather is probably my favorite since it allows me to explore the city, enjoy outdoor dining, and go biking along the Lake Shore.”
Painton: “Spending time at the beach.”
Jake: “My favorite thing about Chicago Summer is attending the outdoor festivals/concerts that are going on throughout the city.”
Favorite Chicago pizza?
Sahil: “Giordano’s”
Painton: “Barnaby’s”
Jake: “Phil’s Pizza”
What is your go-to joke?
Sahil: “Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!”
Painton: “What’s a dentist’s favorite time of day? Tooth Hurty”
Jake: “How do you make a tissue dance? Put a little boogie in it.”
Favorite TV show of all time?
Sahil: “My all-time favorite TV show would have to be Breaking Bad., The compelling storyline, complex characters, and gripping suspense make it a truly unforgettable series.”
Painton: “Avatar the Last Airbender, or Parks and Recreation”
Jake: “Peaky Blinders”
If you could be on-site of any construction project, what would it be?
Sahil: “If given the opportunity, I would love to be on-site for the construction of a futuristic sustainable skyscraper. It would be amazing to be part of a project that pushes the boundaries of sustainable design and incorporates advanced technologies.”
Painton: “Binghatti Tower. The new Jacob and Co luxury apartment complex in Dubai. It’s going to be the tallest residential building in the world.”
Jake: “The one construction project I would want to be on-site for is the new Chicago Bears Stadium at the old Arlington Race Track.”
What has surprised you the most working at Summit?
Sahil: “One of the most surprising aspects of working at Summit is the company’s unwavering commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. I love how attentive they are to the interns, making sure we truly want to be here and getting the most out of our time. There is a genuine dedication to nurturing talent within the organization.”
Painton: “How everyone in the office has made it a priority to teach me how each one of my tasks with help/affect the actual projects.”
What are your future goals/aspirations?
Sahil: “My future goals revolve around becoming an accomplished project engineer who combines sustainable practices with innovative design concepts. Long term, hopefully open up a civil engineering firm alongside some of my friends.”
Painton: “Travel the world, start a family, and eventually retire and open a bar-restaurant.”
Jake: “My future goals/aspirations are to gain as much experience in the construction industry as possible, improve on certain skills in the workplace I find myself weakest at, and eventually have the chance to work on projects that revolve around professional sport’s stadiums/arenas.”
