College Experiences That Helped a Construction Project Manager at Los Angeles World Airports Succeed
Sebastian, a Construction Project Manager at Los Angeles World Airports, emphasizes the critical importance of securing internships early in undergraduate studies, ideally "between freshman and sophomore year," to gain valuable experience and network. This, along with active participation in relevant clubs and career events, allowed Sebastian to build strong relationships that continue to benefit their career, highlighting that "it's all about people, it's all about building relationships."
Networking, Internship, Resume/Interview Skills, Career Fairs, Professional Organizations
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sebastian Potes
Construction Project Manager
Los Angeles World Airports
USC
MBA UCLA Anderson
Engineering - Civil
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense, Architecture, Construction & Design
Operations and Project Management
First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Get internships early (ideally before sophomore year).
2. Network actively by attending career fairs, information sessions, and joining relevant clubs.
3. Develop strong soft skills and interviewing skills, and make sure your resume and LinkedIn are up-to-date
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I think the most important thing I did during my time as an undergrad was securing an internship in construction management before I graduated. I got my internship between my junior and senior year, but I wish I had done it between my freshman and sophomore year.
I didn't think it was possible for freshmen or sophomores to get internships because they typically don't have enough experience. However, I'm now seeing many incoming sophomores interning at LAX and other companies. The sooner you can get an internship, the better.
I wish I had gotten mine sooner, but it ended up working out fine. The most important thing is to get an internship and attend career fairs and networking events. If a company is hosting an information session in an industry you're interested in, definitely attend and follow up with them the next day.
Recruiters are looking for students who are interested, have passion, and know a little about the company they're applying for. They don't need to know everything, but understanding the basics of what the company does, its competitors, and other essential information can help you stand out.
This basic knowledge goes a long way for recruiters sifting through hundreds of resumes each recruiting season. Showing up in person, talking to people, and networking can help you lock in an internship as soon as possible. This experience might even lead you to discover you prefer a different industry.
It's really important to get that experience and invest time in the process. This includes updating your LinkedIn profile, perfecting your resume, and practicing your interviewing skills. Having an internship before graduating was, for me, one of the most valuable things I did during undergrad.
Second to that, I'd say joining clubs was valuable. I was part of the ASCE club, the Construction Management Association of America student chapter at USC, and I got involved in everything I could. This helped me network with other students, enhance my experience and knowledge, and become more well-rounded.
I think setting everything up to secure an internship and make connections is most important because I now see many of the people I connected with every day on job sites. It all comes back to networking; it's all about people and building relationships.
If I were to sum it up in two words, I'd say building relationships is probably the most important thing I did in undergrad.