Each summer, Warfel welcomes a new group of interns to the team. For many students, an internship is the first opportunity to turn classroom knowledge into real-world experience. At Warfel, that experience is designed to be more than a summer of observation. Interns are trusted with meaningful work and encouraged to ask questions. They are also given opportunities to build relationships that shape their future careers.
For nearly 20 years, Warfel’s internship program has continued to evolve. It has become an experience where students build confidence in their future careers. With a summer intended to keep them busy, interns can expect hands-on responsibility and mentorship. They also experience value instilled in community service, an emphasis on team building, and a final intern project. Together, these opportunities provide a well-rounded look at what it means to be a team member at Warfel Construction.
This summer, Warfel is proud to recognize 11 interns who are spending their time learning alongside project teams, mentors, and employees across the company. In honor of National Intern Day, we are celebrating the role interns play at Warfel. We are also recognizing the experiences that help prepare them for what comes next.
This summer’s intern class includes:
- Alyssa Murray – Marketing Intern | Penn State University
- Gabby Barbosa – Project Management Intern | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
- Jayden Watts – Project Management Intern | Millersville University
- Paddy McCarthy – Project Management Intern | Virginia Tech
- Mason Pensabene – Project Management Intern | Penn State University
- Zach Koptyra – Project Management Intern | Penn State University
- Mick Cox – Project Management Intern | Penn State University
- Connor Gentile – Project Management Intern | Penn College of Technology
- Keegan Robinson – Project Management Intern | Penn State University
- Ryan McNamee – Project Management Intern | Penn College of Technology
- Liam Cheek – Project Management Intern | Penn State University
Learning Through Real-World Experience
From the start of the summer, they are encouraged to be active participants in the projects and departments they support. This helps interns begin to understand the industry’s pace. It also shows the importance of communication and the coordination required to move a project forward.
For interns working alongside project teams, learning often happens through everyday involvement. They may spend time walking jobsites, sitting in on project conversations, assisting with documentation, or helping track items that impact the progress of a project. These opportunities give interns a closer look at how decisions are made and how many people contribute to a successful outcome.
“Working on observations and punch list items made me feel like part of the team,” Jayden Watts said. “Being trusted with those responsibilities allowed me to contribute to the project’s progress while working alongside the field team.”
Ryan McNamee, who is completing his second summer with Warfel, has seen this responsibility grow over time.
“One thing I appreciate about the Warfel internship is how included I have felt in the team over the past two summers,” McNamee said. “Starting from the first day getting small tasks, to being a part of bigger discussions towards the end of the internship.”
Seeing the Bigger Picture of Construction
Construction is often associated with the work happening on a jobsite, but every successful project begins long before work starts in the field. Through exposure to different areas of the company, interns gain a broader understanding of the planning, coordination, communication, and problem-solving that help shape each project from the earliest stages.
Through project-based rotations, interns have the opportunity to see different sides of the construction process. They gain exposure to project management, preconstruction, VDC, field operations, quality control, and safety along the way. Rather than seeing these areas as separate pieces, interns begin to understand how connected they are.
“What surprised me most was how many different pieces have to come together to make a project work,” Mason Pensabene said. “…and also seeing how much goes into preconstruction before even setting foot on the site.”
The program also shows that there are many different career paths within the construction industry. In addition to project-based internships, Warfel offers opportunities in areas such as marketing. In this role, interns focus on the communication and storytelling side of the business. This helps bring attention to the people, projects, and culture behind Warfel. It also supports the relationships and pursuits that help move the company forward.
“My first two weeks felt like a constant stream of opportunities,” Barbosa said. “I got to be hands-on with everything, whether that was helping in the field or in the office. My experience was never a ‘sit and observe.’ It’s whatever I made it to be.”
Together, these experiences help interns begin to see where their interests and strengths may fit. They also offer a clearer picture of the many opportunities available across the construction industry.
Building Relationships and Confidence
While technical learning is a major part of the summer, relationships are just as important. Each intern is paired with a mentor who meets with them weekly to talk through their experience, answer questions, and provide any guidance needed. These check-ins give interns a chance to reflect on what they are learning and lead conversations about their own growth.
The program also includes performance reviews and feedback forms throughout the summer, helping ensure interns feel supported and have opportunities to share how their experience is going.
“One thing I’ve appreciated most about my Warfel internship experience is the opportunity to communicate and work with the guys on site,” Watts said. “Building those relationships and learning from their knowledge and experience has been one of the most valuable parts of my internship.”
Interns also have opportunities to build relationships beyond their daily responsibilities. This summer, interns spent a day together at Hersheypark, participated in team activities, did a volunteer day, and had opportunities to connect with employees across the company.They also had the chance to sit down with President Conlan Swope, who began his own Warfel career as an intern.
Bringing the Summer Internship Together
At the end of the summer, each intern presents an individual project. Each project focuses on a topic that has the potential to benefit the company. Interns spend the summer researching their topic, developing their ideas, and preparing to share what they have learned. While all team members are welcome to attend the final presentations, interns primarily present their work to specific groups. These include peers, mentors, project teams, and members of Warfel’s senior leadership team.
The project gives interns a chance to build confidence in public speaking, professional communication, organization, and problem-solving. It also allows them to apply what they have learned throughout the summer and share their own perspective with the company.
Preparing for beyond the internship
At Warfel, much of the internship experience is shaped by learning alongside others and contributing to the work underway. As interns take on new responsibilities, explore different areas of the company, and build relationships with mentors and team members, they gain a broader understanding of the construction industry and begin to see where their own interests may lead.
National Intern Day offers an opportunity to recognize the contributions of this year’s interns. It also recognizes the perspective they bring to the teams around them. Their curiosity, thoughtful questions, and willingness to take on new challenges contribute to the work they support. These qualities also encourage learning across the company.
Every internship represents more than a summer experience. It represents an investment in the future of our industry. We’re grateful for the curiosity, dedication, and fresh perspectives this year’s interns have brought to Warfel. We look forward to seeing where their careers take them.
