Spotlight On... Our Summer Interns

June 21, 2017   |   Author: Meghan O'Connor

Columbia is lucky enough to have five interns as part of our team this summer. Representing a variety of colleges, they bring dynamic new personalities and perspective to both our office and the field! We appreciate all of their hard work and how willing they are to learn new things and help out where needed. Welcome to Columbia Brianna, Ian, Kayla, Alex and Jimmy!


Brianna Enger

School: Junior at West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Dracut, MA

Role at Columbia this summer:

My role as an intern for the accounting team consists of a wide variety of tasks. For example, I could be filing all the contract books or be helping with any scanning and inputting information into the accounting database. Each day has different tasks.

What is your favorite part of interning at Columbia so far?:

My favorite part is just the atmosphere of the office. Everyone is polite and kind, the office has a very welcoming atmosphere. Also, being an intern here has given me the opportunity to learn new abilities that can also be applied to my school work. And of course Bagel Fridays :)


Ian Farr-Szep

School: Junior at Wentworth Institute of Technology

Major: Construction Management

Hometown: Peterborough, NH

Role at Columbia this summer:

I am part of the mainstream estimating team working as an assistant estimator. My role consists of a wide range of different responsibilities, including electronic/physical file management, communicating with subcontractors, quantity take-off, and many other various assignments that the estimators need to be completed.

What is your favorite part of interning at Columbia so far?:

My favorite part of interning with Columbia Construction has been being a part of the environment of the company. I have learned a lot from the work I have been doing, but I have learned possibly more just from interacting with the people in the office whether it be asking questions, sitting in meetings, or watching the pros at their work. One day I delivered a set of drawings to Greg Keller, a Project Executive, and I asked him, “Have you ever done any work on high-rise projects?” He stopped what he was doing and brought me around the office showing me all the portraits on the walls of the many different projects that he worked on and gave me some really great advice and insight about the construction industry. A simple delivery of drawings turned into an inspiring learning experience. The people of the company make the environment, and this environment has been a great place for me.


Kayla Gendreau

School: Senior at Wentworth Institute of Technology

Major: Construction Management

Hometown: Hudson, NH

Role at Columbia this summer:

I have been working here at Columbia for 2 months now, in which I’ve had the opportunity to work with multiple different estimators on a variety of projects. I have been tasked to assist with different aspects of the projects such as going on walk-throughs, making phone calls, sending out invitations to bid, completing take-offs with OST, and creating bid tabs. My role as an intern is not limited to one specific task. It has given me the chance to try out all tasks that the estimators complete on each and every project.

What is your favorite part of interning at Columbia so far?:

My favorite part of interning at Columbia is the people. Everyone in the Interiors office has made me feel welcome. Our office is very social, while also completing everything they need to do. I feel comfortable to ask any questions I have and I feel like I am part of the Columbia family. I enjoy holding conversations with people from any and every department. I have had an amazing experience so far, mainly due to the fact that everyone working here makes it an amazing place to learn and grow.


Alex McGeachie

School: Junior at College of the Holy Cross

Major: Psychology

Hometown: North Reading, MA

Role at Columbia this summer:

My role this summer is  Human Resources intern. I assist Julie with various HR projects.

What is your favorite part of interning at Columbia so far?:

My favorite part about interning at Columbia has been getting the opportunity to learn about multiple fields within the company. Last summer I was an intern working for the accounting department and this summer I am an HR intern. I have enjoyed learning new skills and gaining experience in both fields.


Jimmy Mier

School: Junior at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Major: Building Construction Technology

Hometown: Holyoke, MA

Role at Columbia this summer:

My role as an Assistant Superintendent intern this summer is focused around the Haskell Hall project at Tufts University. My tasks vary from day to day, but the majority of my work is coordinating with the subcontractors on the project. I also document the work being performed with regards to our schedule.

What is your favorite part of interning at Columbia so far?:

My favorite part about interning for Columbia is the knowledge I have been able to gain from both hands-on experience and helpful Columbia employees.