Monday, March 2, 2026
The University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning welcomed corporate partners, companies and students back to the floor of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center this past Wednesday for the annual Spring Construction Management Career Fair, a cornerstone event hosted by the M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management. By midmorning, the arena was alive with conversation as 329 recruiters met with students eager to take their next step into the construction industry.
For many, the event felt less like a formal career fair and more like a homecoming.
“It is beautiful to see all the Rinker graduates come back and recruit our current students,” said Ravi Srinivasan, Rinker professor and associate dean for research and strategic initiatives in DCP. “Our students recognize the recruiters, remember the classes and the fun they had with them, and it turns into a family reunion.”
That sense of familiarity and purpose was evident across the room. A total of 109 companies traveled from across the country, spending the day talking with students from early morning into the afternoon. Students moved steadily through the aisles, resumes in hand, sharing their goals and learning more about companies they hope to join. For some, those conversations turned into interview invitations that took place in the late afternoon.
Recruiters consistently pointed to the preparation and professionalism of Rinker students as a reason they return year after year.
“We always get a really good response from students,” said Paloma Gutierrez, human resources director for Oelrich Construction. “They know what they want, and that makes the job easier. They come ready with questions, they know their availability, and they are thinking ahead. These students are not just looking for this summer. They are already planning for next summer, which tells you they are doing the work and taking this seriously.”
Gutierrez added that effort and intention stand out just as much as technical skills.
“When we hire someone, we are looking at whether they are a good person and how they present themselves,” she said. “How you dress, how you put together your resume, the attention you give to the details. How you do anything is how you do everything. We invest a lot of time mentoring our interns, so seeing students who clearly care and give one hundred percent really matters.”
That same level of readiness resonated with other recruiters on the floor.
“At Straticon, we do not just build structures, we build people and careers,” said Chloe McNamara, chief operating officer for Straticon. “The students at Rinker stand out compared to any other university. We have been incredibly impressed with the quality and caliber of what they have learned and how that translates into success as they launch their careers with us.”
Longstanding industry partners echoed that sentiment. Holland Pierce, a campus recruiter for Brasfield and Gorrie, said the firm makes a point to recruit heavily from Rinker, even though its roots are outside Florida.
“Florida is our biggest school that we recruit from in the state,” Pierce said. “We have so many Rinker alumni who are now leaders in our company. Rinker students are top tier. The curriculum is very aligned with the industry, and we consistently see strong, capable students coming through the pipeline.”
Students felt that preparation firsthand as they met with recruiters.
“I have loved meeting new people, learning how they operate, and asking questions,” said Aditi Thanedar (MSCM ’25). “It has been an awesome experience.”
Rinker undergraduate Tyler Isaacson said the program gives students confidence before they ever step onto a job site.
“Rinker is very well connected to the industry,” he said. “We are prepared once we get in the field in terms of knowing what different systems to use and how things get assembled. It has been a big help.”
That confidence continues to grow at the graduate level.
“After six months in the Rinker graduate program, I feel much more confident answering questions at events like this,” said Maia Gordon, a master’s student who earned her bachelor’s degree in sustainability and the built environment in 2022.
As the fair wound down and interviews got underway, the takeaway was clear. The Spring Construction Management Career Fair remains more than a recruiting event. It is a space where relationships are renewed, careers begin to take shape, and the strength of the Rinker family is on full display year after year.