When most people think about internships, they might imagine coffee runs, busy work, or vague job descriptions. But at CEI, internships look very different.
This July, CEI welcomed nearly 50 students from across the country to its San Jose headquarters for Intern Week—a thoughtfully designed experience built to educate, engage, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
CEI interns found themselves immersed in meaningful learning, surrounded by people who wanted them to succeed. Here’s a look at what made Intern Week so impactful:
Day 1: A Warm Welcome
Interns arrived in San Jose, Calif. on Sunday, July 13, and gathered that evening for a welcome dinner filled with name tags, icebreakers, and introductions. The tone was friendly and upbeat, setting the stage for a week that would prove to be anything but ordinary.
Day 2: Insight from Industry Leaders
By Monday morning, the interns were on-site at CEI headquarters for a full day of company overviews and leadership sessions.
President and CEO Tom Schott opened the week with a powerful message: Intern Week wasn’t just a formality—it was an intentional investment in their future. He described the program’s growth from 11 interns to nearly 50 and encouraged everyone to lean in, ask questions, and find where they fit. From there, the day unfolded with engaging talks from senior leaders across CEI’s key business units.
The afternoon featured a team-building challenge: design a hospital using LEGO-style bricks. Creativity ran wild, but the winning team kept it practical, incorporating stairs and elevators into their build.
Day 3: Estimating & Career Growth
Tuesday’s theme was estimation and career path development. Interns began with a light-hearted challenge: estimate the cost of a wedding. The goal wasn’t precision, it was perspective. The exercise revealed how differently each team approached planning and pricing, setting the tone for more technical estimating activities using real project drawings.
Later, Senior Program Manager Megan Fox introduced CEI’s Project Management Development (PMD) program and explained how the company is building career tracks in estimating, pre-construction, and project leadership.
The afternoon ended with a candid session hosted by University Relations Program Manager Marie Garcia-Carlo, who oversees the internship program. Interns asked direct questions about compensation, bonuses, and career mobility. Marie reminded them that compensation matters, but so does culture.
“Sometimes it’s that simple,” she said.
Interns wrapped up the day with a scavenger hunt around the San Jose office and a relaxed happy hour with CEI team members.
Day 4: Site Visits & Santa Cruz Vibes
Wednesday gave interns a chance to see CEI’s work in action. Groups traveled to active job sites in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Sunnyvale to meet project teams and tour in-progress builds.
By noon, they returned for a quick lunch before heading out to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk for a fun, informal outing. The bus ride was full of reflection and energy, with many interns noting how rare it was to participate in such an immersive, company-wide experience designed just for them.
By the time they returned to the hotel that night, connections had deepened, and the impact of the week was becoming clear.
Day 5: Pre-Fab, BBQ, and Leadership Q&A
On Thursday morning, interns returned to HQ for a hands-on pre-fabrication workshop, learning how CEI streamlines parts of large-scale projects by building components off-site.
That afternoon, the entire office gathered outside for CEI’s annual summer BBQ—an informal tradition that blends culture, food, and celebration. No speeches, just sunshine, shared stories, and good company.
Later, interns met with CEI executives for a final Q&A session, where they had the chance to ask big-picture questions and hear firsthand about the company’s vision, challenges, and strategic priorities.
The night closed with a farewell event at San Pedro Social, where interns had one more chance to connect, laugh, and reflect on the experience.
Day 6: Departing with Direction
By Friday, the hotel lobby was buzzing with check-outs. Some interns returned to local CEI projects, while others flew home to complete assignments across the country.
What they left with wasn’t just CEI swag or a recommendation letter, they left with tangible skills, new friends, and a genuine understanding of how a company can invest in people.
At CEI, interns don’t just observe—they contribute. They’re challenged. They’re seen. And they leave knowing they were part of something bigger.
Interested in joining next year’s cohort?
Follow CEI on LinkedIn or explore upcoming internship opportunities on our Careers Page.
