Paid Construction Industry Internships

Gain real-world industry experience that adds context to the classroom.

Attention A/E/C industry majors!

• Construction Engineering (Con E)
• Construction Management (CM)
• Other A/E/C (Structural, Civil, Architecture, Industrial, CAD)
• Bachelor's or Associate's degree program students welcome!
Carl A. Nelson & Company blue hard hat

If you are a college student pursuing a degree in construction engineering, construction management, or another A/E/C–related field and are interested in a career in industrial and commercial construction, an internship at Carl A. Nelson & Company offers the opportunity to expand your education well beyond the classroom.

CANCO internships are paid and built around real work on active job sites. Regardless of whether your long-term goal is project management or field leadership, construction internships at CANCO are primarily field-based. We believe the best builders—of every discipline—start by understanding how projects are actually built.

Interns work alongside CANCO field leadership and skilled craftspeople on projects that reflect the company’s self-performed construction capabilities. Depending on project needs and career interests, interns may also gain exposure to project management activities in our Burlington or Cedar Falls offices.

Students enrolled in both two-year and four-year programs are eligible. Internship experiences vary by project and season, but all interns gain hands-on experience that connects classroom theory to real-world construction.

During a summer or winter break internship, students can expect opportunities such as:

  • Hands-on experience working with tools on active commercial and industrial projects
  • Working side-by-side with skilled craftspeople to better understand how buildings are constructed
  • Spending time with superintendents and project managers to see firsthand how projects are planned, coordinated, and executed
  • Exposure to the responsibilities of a general contractor, including interaction with owners, subcontractors, and suppliers
  • Introduction to construction technology and modern jobsite operations
  • Experience on projects similar to those shown in our Project Portfolio

At CANCO, internships are not about observing from the sidelines. They are about learning the work, understanding the process, and building a foundation for a successful career in construction.

Where Our Interns Come From

Carl A. Nelson & Company frequently welcomes Project Management and Field Leadership interns from a wide range of colleges, universities, and technical programs, including:

  • Iowa State University — Construction Engineering
  • University of Northern Iowa — Construction Management
  • Western Illinois University — Construction Management
  • Kirkwood Community College — Construction Management
  • Hawkeye Community College — Civil & Construction Engineering Technology
  • Southeastern Community College — Construction Technology & Management

In addition to college internships, high school internships are also available.

  • Students under 18 typically participate in warehouse-based or support roles
  • Students 18 and older may work in the field alongside our project supervisors and skilled craftsmen

While many of our collegiate interns pursue degrees in construction engineering or construction management, we also welcome students from other disciplines that support the construction industry, including accounting, business, and related fields.

What matters most isn’t just your major — it’s your interest in the industry, your willingness to learn, and your desire to be part of a team that builds real projects.

What We Look for in Interns

We look for the same qualities in interns that we do in every member of the Carl A. Nelson & Company team. Internships at CANCO are not just about gaining experience—they are an opportunity to demonstrate the values and work ethic that define our company.

Successful interns show up ready to learn, take responsibility seriously, and contribute as part of a team. We value individuals who approach their work with integrity, curiosity, and respect for the people and processes that make a job site run safely and efficiently.

If you’re interested in learning more about what it’s like to work at CANCO—and what we value in our people—visit our Why Work at CANCO page.

Arrange your CANCO internship

To inquire about internship opportunities at Carl A. Nelson & Company, contact Brandi Marshall in our Burlington office. You may call or text her at (319) 753-8785, or send email to bmarshall@carlanelsonco.com.

Recent CANCO interns share their most valuable experience:
“My most valuable experience as a CANCO intern was being involved in multiple projects at once. Being an intern provided useful knowledge and experience across many aspects of what a project manager does—all within a short period of time.”

— Samuel D., Construction Engineering, Iowa State University
“Sitting in meetings with subcontractors and owners showed me how important clear leadership and communication really are. Those meetings taught me how to explain problems, find solutions, and work as a team—not just within one company, but across many.”

— Jose H., Construction Engineering, Iowa State University

Start as an intern, stay for a career

It is not uncommon for CANCO interns to become full-time members of our team, both in the office and in the field — in project management, field supervisory and construction craftsman roles. Vice President of Operations (Cedar Falls) Jamie Stanley describes the intern experience that led him to his current position.

Jamie Stanley, Vice President of Operations (CANCO Cedar Falls)

Before interning at Carl A. Nelson & Company, Jamie Stanley was a construction engineering student at Iowa State University who discovered he needed some real-world experience to apply to the classroom.

In what would become two internships with CANCO, Jamie had the opportunity to learn about how a construction company functions, and to be hands-on with industry-specific computer applications. The result when he returned to campus was a stronger performance academically.

Following his junior year, Stanley returned to CANCO, where he was exposed to estimating and project management. Working with oversight from an experienced project manager, he was able to manage a project from start to finish, including everything from subcontract preparation and review of shop drawings to tracking project cost and contract closeout.

Upon graduation, Jamie went to work full-time at Carl A. Nelson & Company, and helped to establish the firm’s new office in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He now manages that office as Vice President of Operations (Cedar Falls), leads our industrial building projects and oversees Nelson Plant Services. Jamie is a major shareholder and member of the Board of Directors.

Jamie Stanley in PPE

Preparing for an Internship

While we believe strongly in the value of completing an internship, it’s important for students to understand how to make the most of on-the-job learning while still engaged in school. To help with that understanding, we’ve assembled a few helpful resources from around the web: