Evergreen Alum Reflects on Learning from School Construction Internship

Internship Report: Evergreen High School Project, Summer 2023

By Khoa Nguyen, Intern, Cornerstone General Contractors & EHS Class of 2020

What are some of the skills or knowledge you learned in your internship?

I gained a lot more knowledge in how to use construction software, such as Procore and Bluebeam. I learned how to navigate through contract documents like the drawings and specifications. I have also learned the importance of teamwork and coordination. It takes precise coordination and communication between all parties to ensure the success of a project of this scale.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned?

The most valuable lesson that I learned from this internship is that all members play an important role in ensuring the success of a project, whether it is the superintendent or an intern like myself, it is important that you take your tasks seriously because everything that you do contributes to the overall project.

What stage is the construction process, what is the next stage, and when will the new school be complete?

The project is currently in Phase 2 of three phases. Phase 1 included the demolition of the old existing portables and performing earthwork on the existing soil. Phase 2 of the project is the construction of the two new campus buildings on the existing baseball/softball field. The next phase will begin once the new school is finished and ready to be occupied. Phase 3 will consist of demolishing the existing school and constructing new baseball and softball fields where the old school is located.

Is the project on schedule for the new school to open by September 2025?

Yes, as of right now, the new school is set to open in September 2025, thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, especially to those working outside in all seasons on the project site.

Are there any interesting facts about the building project you think people would be interested to know?

A particular detail that stood out to me was that one of the campus buildings contains mostly mass timber, which is a wood product. This stood out to me because I think that a wood finish in the building will give a forest and nature feel that will embody the overall theme of “Evergreen High School.”

Did this internship experience change your career plans or college focus?  What type of job do you think you will pursue out of college?

After this internship experience, construction is still a field that I am interested in. I love that there is a good balance between being outside on the site working with the subcontractors, and being in the office.

I also love the fact that I was put on a project involving my old high school, which is like a full circle moment for me, I have always been passionate about giving back to my community, and I feel like being able to do that through construction is impactful because this school is going to be used for generations to come. Growing up as an immigrant, I thought that my future career options were limited due to my background and the resources provided to me. I believe that providing resources like a new school can offer underprivileged youths, like myself, more opportunities to pursue additional education.

Construction management is a field that I am interested in, but I am open to exploring different career paths within construction, with the goal of positively impacting my community.

More information

• Evergreen Grad Helps Build New School As a Summer Intern, August 1, 2023
• Evergreen High School Design & Construction Website