The relationship between interns and company officials can be an invaluable resource on both sides, with fresh perspectives and ideas brought to projects by young talent, as seasoned professionals impart their knowledge from personal experiences.
As such, Colliers Engineering & Design recognizes this and has worked hard to refine the structure of its existing internship program in hopes of eventually hiring interns to full time positions based on their previous experience and retaining them through their familiarity of the firm and its programs.
While the interns receive the benefit of a resume building experience, it also helps them refine skills they already have, boost networking opportunities, and build relationships. It also provides them with the foundation to determine whether or not they’d be a good fit within the company structure or in the field they chose.
On the employer side, it is a chance to evaluate potential employees while helping them develop the professional skills they’ll need through mentorship by all levels of staff in their field. Today, employers have to be more diligent than ever in attracting new hires and internships are one of the ways new talent can be driven to the company.
During this year’s program, Colliers Engineering & Design employed over 100 young professionals in 38 offices nationwide! Representing 23 disciplines, the interns came from 71 individual colleges and universities, with 85% joining the firm for the first time. Since 2022, 83 interns at the firm transitioned to full-time positions since graduating, with the numbers expected to rise from the 2025 graduating class. About 80% of the interns from 2023 received and accepted offers to begin working after their upcoming graduation.
Intern Experience Series
Our newly developed Intern Experience Series included ongoing, bi-weekly webinars focused on offerings for employees. Some of the topics included Employee Resource Groups, our Learning & Knowledge group, former intern panel, networking, and a Q&A with Kevin Haney, Colliers Engineering & Design’s President & CEO.
Goal setting served as the foundation of the program, setting expectations for the months ahead and giving young professionals opportunities to seek mentorships and create meaningful connections with their colleagues. Interns throughout the company were connected through an internal webpage that housed all program material, important documents for managers and interns, and a place for discussion posts and conversations.
STEAM-ing Ahead in Michigan!
In Michigan, we were proud to have supported nine talented interns participating in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) newly rebranded STEAM Ahead program.
“Programs like STEAM Ahead are invaluable for both Colliers Engineering & Design and the broader industry,” shared Rick Chelotti, PE, Division Director, Infrastructure, Colliers Engineering & Design, highlighting the program’s impact. “This initiative strengthens our immediate project teams and helps build a strong pipeline of future leaders.”
Read more about the MEDC STEAM Ahead program.
Want to join our team as an intern? Reach out to Michael Weissman, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition or visit our Internship Career Page.