What Clark's 2025 Summer Associates Are Learning on The Job

Every year, we are humbled that top students at colleges, universities, and training institutions nationwide choose to spend their summer with Clark. Our 12-week Summer Associate program offers them opportunities to grow as they apply classroom learning.

Summer associates gain firsthand construction knowledge and participate in jobsite tours, training, mentorships, and social events. They play an active role in the daily plans, decisions, and communications required for successful project delivery – and they build their networks as they build their skills.

Hear from Just a Few Summer Associates

We have been excited to welcome 260 summer associates from 109 schools to Clark offices and jobsites through the program in 2025.

In Chicago, returning summer associate Isabel Berkenblit quickly got additional hands-on experience. "I've had the opportunity to jump headfirst into managing trades on multiple projects during the preconstruction process," says the rising senior at Cornell University.

As part of Clark's Estimating team, Joshua Dobashi has been enthusiastic about his summer associate experience. "From CCU courses to jobsite tours to interviewing and chatting with coworkers with years of experience to my fellow summer associates, I have acquired so much knowledge and experience that you simply cannot learn in a classroom. I have been given the responsibility of managing my own trade packages and being treated like a real Clark estimator!" 

"I have acquired so much knowledge and experience that you simply cannot learn in a classroom. I have been given the responsibility of managing my own trade packages and being treated like a real Clark estimator." 

Joshua Dobashi, Clark summer associate and rising senior at the University of Notre Dame

Summer associates are also active across our infrastructure projects, including the Noman Cole Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lorton, Virginia. Christian Surak, a program participant with Clark Water and master's student at the University of Virginia with a concentration in water resources, says, "This experience gave me a clear view of how complex and essential the treatment process is for protecting public health and the environment."

Returning summer associate Markel Alston was on that project last year and is now at the BWI Concourse A/B Connector and Baggage Handling System project outside of Baltimore with Clark Civil. "Working on such a dynamic project site has definitely opened my eyes to all the different aspects of a construction project and potential career paths that I am able to take," says the rising senior.

"Working on such a dynamic project site has definitely opened my eyes to all the different aspects of a construction project and potential career paths that I am able to take."

Markel Alston, Clark summer associate and undergraduate student at North Carolina A&T State University 

Every Clark summer associate will return to their respective campus with new skills, deeper knowledge, and strengthened networks. With the experience, they are poised to continue growing as future construction leaders helping to shape our industry.