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March 5th, 2026
Past Events
October 30th, 2025
185 Students Explore Construction Management Careers at Quality Construction Partnership Event
On October 30, 2025, the Quality Construction Partnership hosted a Construction Pathways to Construction Management career exploration event at the RGDrage Career Center, welcoming 185 high school students from area schools for a hands-on look at professional careers in the construction industry.
This event was specifically designed to introduce students to office-based construction careers, including project management, estimating, scheduling, engineering, and business operations—connecting students directly with the professionals and colleges that lead these fields.
Participating Universities
Students had the opportunity to connect directly with representatives from:
- University of Akron
- Kent State University
- Stark State University
Participating Contractors & Industry Partners
Students also engaged with professionals from the following organizations:
- Abbott Electric
- Beaver Excavating Company
- Fred Olivieri Construction
- Great Lakes Construction
- Hammond Construction
- Hilscher, Clark
- Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
- RG Smith
- The Ruhlin Company
Direct Conversations with Contractors, Colleges & Project Managers
Students had the opportunity to:
- Speak directly with contractors and construction firms
- Meet with college representatives
- Engage in one-on-one discussions with project managers and office leadership
- Learn about career paths in construction project management, estimating and pre-construction, scheduling and operations, engineering and design support, and construction business and administration
Rather than a lecture-style format, students rotated through small group sessions, allowing for meaningful conversations, personalized questions, and focused mentorship.
Small Group Format Created Big Impact
By breaking students into smaller discussion groups, participants were able to:
- Ask detailed questions about career progression
- Understand what a professional construction career looks like day-to-day
- Learn what education and certifications are required
- Explore multiple college pathways into construction management
For many students, this was their first opportunity to speak directly with professional project managers and construction executives, giving them a real-world view of the industry beyond the jobsite.
Industry & Education Working Together
This event was made possible through the collaboration of:
- Local high schools
- Regional contractors
- Colleges and construction management programs
- Volunteer project managers and office professionals
The partnership highlighted how education and industry can work together to create clear, structured career pathways into professional construction leadership roles.
Looking Ahead
With 185 students participating, the October 30th event demonstrated strong student interest in construction management and professional construction careers. The Quality Construction Partnership looks forward to continuing this initiative and expanding future opportunities for students to explore the business and leadership side of construction.
March 8th, 2024
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