As another successful summer internship program ends, Hamilton Stern Construction’s annual Intern Field Trip provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments, experiences, and professional growth of this year’s interns. Throughout the day, interns revisited the projects where they spent their summers working alongside our teams, sharing presentations about their responsibilities, lessons learned, and memorable moments with fellow interns and staff.
The field trip not only highlighted the impressive work completed across a variety of projects but also showcased the next generation of construction professionals who are developing their skills through real-world experience. From project management and field supervision to communication and organization, each intern gained valuable insight into the construction industry while making meaningful contributions to our projects.
Phillip Tangorra: Learning the Value of Preparation
Phillip Tangorra, a construction management student entering his sophomore year at Utica University, spent the summer working on the renovation of the Arts & Sciences Communication Suite at St. John Fisher University. Throughout the project, Phillip discovered the importance of thoroughly inspecting existing conditions before construction begins. He learned that identifying potential issues early can help teams avoid costly surprises, maintain schedules, and stay within budget.
One of Phillip’s proudest accomplishments was earning enough trust from the project team to lead and manage a crew when needed. That experience helped build his confidence as a leader and reinforced his interest in pursuing a career as a project superintendent after graduation
Adam Mariani: Building on Experience
Returning for a summer internship with us, Adam Mariani, a building construction student entering his senior year at Virginia Tech, was excited to continue learning from the team members who made such a strong impression during his last summer internship. Adam cited the company’s supportive culture and willingness to provide meaningful responsibilities as key reasons for returning.
This summer, Adam worked at Gardner Lofts, where he supported project operations through correspondence management, tracking submittals and RFIs, maintaining daily logs, monitoring project progress, managing environmental allowances and waste management documentation, and assisting project superintendents. Through these responsibilities, he developed a deeper understanding of the record-keeping side of construction management, including drawings, financial documentation, and project changes.
When reflecting on his favorite moment this summer, Adam pointed to witnessing the concrete pour at Gardner Lofts. Seeing the extensive planning and coordination required to reach that milestone gave him greater appreciation for the effort involved in delivering successful projects. The experience also helped him further define his future career goals within construction management.
Nicholas Cowie: Seeing Progress Every Day
Nicholas (Nick) Cowie, a construction technology student entering his second year at Monroe Community College, was drawn to Hamilton Stern Construction because of the company’s diverse portfolio of projects and collaborative culture. During his internship, Nick worked across two exciting projects: the RIT CAD Media Lab and the RIT Battery Lab.
Nick’s responsibilities included completing daily logs, uploading project photos to the company’s project database, Company Cam, and reviewing project submittals. As a first-time intern with Hamilton Stern Construction, he quickly learned that effective communication is one of the most important factors in project success. Whether communicating with clients, subcontractors, or project teams, clear communication helps keep projects moving smoothly and minimizes challenges.
His favorite part of the summer was witnessing the day-to-day progress on both project sites. Watching projects evolve over time helped confirm his desire to build a career in the construction industry.
Kyle Cunningham: Understanding the Impact of Organization
For Kyle Cunningham, a construction management student entering his junior year at Alfred State College, returning for a second internship felt like a natural choice. Kyle cited Hamilton Stern Construction’s positive work environment and supportive team culture as the reasons he was eager to come back for another summer.
After working on the EMHCS Expansion Project during his first internship, Kyle spent this summer working on the Paylocity renovation project. Through this experience, he gained additional field exposure and developed a stronger appreciation for the importance of organization in construction management. He observed firsthand how countless moving parts must be coordinated and how proper organization directly influences project efficiency and overall success.
One of Kyle’s proudest moments came from revisiting a project site where he had previously worked and seeing the results of his contributions. That experience reinforced the lasting impact construction professionals can have on a project. It also strengthened his interest in pursuing a future in managing construction projects.
Investing in the Future of Construction
Our annual Intern Field Trip serves as more than just a year-end tradition. It is an opportunity to celebrate the dedication, hard work, and growth of our interns while providing them with a platform to reflect on their experiences and accomplishments. This year’s group demonstrated professionalism, curiosity, and a strong commitment to learning, and their contributions positively impacted projects across our portfolio.
We are grateful for the energy and enthusiasm Phillip, Adam, Nick, and Kyle brought to our team throughout the summer. We look forward to following their journeys as they continue their education and begin building successful careers in the construction industry.
Congratulations to all our interns on a successful summer!
