Texas middle-school students Zara Willard and Nicholas John received hands-on building experience and inspiration to pursue engineering and construction careers at TRF Camp Build in Austin last summer. The free five-day program for grade 6-8 students, also held in Sherman, Texas, and in three other U.S. cities, was sponsored by Rosendin Electric, the fifth-largest U.S. specialty firm on ENR’s Top Specialty Contractors list and the largest electrical firm in the Texas-Louisiana market.
The Rosendin Foundation and other industry representatives hosted the Austin event, introducing students to basic project skills on the jobsite and in the office. Willard (in the photo above) used power tools; observed heavy machinery in use; poured concrete; and learned safety skills. Her peer John built a stepping stone; soldered a copper stand; bent conduit; and used virtual reality to estimate a build. Both gained insight on how to pursue a construction-related career.