Tuesday, June 17, 2025
By: Andrea Dixon
University of Florida students Tyler and Dylan Ostendorf have a bond that led them to both study at the College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP) and has brought them even closer since.
Tyler, 22, and Dylan, 20, grew up doing a lot of things together because of their close ages. Playing baseball, doing things as a family and having a shared interest in construction made them a tight-knit pair.
Dylan credits his older brother and wanting to follow in his footsteps for why he stepped foot in Gainesville to pursue a degree in construction management. Their mother also attended UF, so committing to the college was an easy decision.
Being a part of the same college has given the siblings an opportunity to encourage each other but also compete.
“We’ve always been competitive with each other all our lives, so it’s kind of a competition,” Dylan said.
At the end of the day, they want to see each other succeed. Dylan is looking forward to getting into DCP’s M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management this fall. Tyler has been a big encouragement and resource for Dylan since he will graduate from the Rinker School in December.
“I look forward to helping him out if he ever needs it,” Tyler said, “I’ll be at the end of my schooling, so I can always help him out there.”
The two siblings were introduced to construction at a young age because their father owns a construction company. Even though they may not take over their father’s company, they both want to work in construction management.
Despite Tyler and Dylan having only two overlapping semesters so far, they may be able to work together this summer at their internships.
“We might be able to work with each other on the same job or maybe a different job,” Dylan said, “I’m not sure but the same route I want to go is just like him.”
Tyler has been a big encouragement to his younger brother as Dylan begins at the Rinker School. His biggest advice is to really use the resources Rinker has to offer.
“You’re very hands-on,” Tyler said, “so the best advice I can give is to be there and be attentive and ask questions and really use your resources around you.”
Both siblings want to get a job after graduation doing project management or construction contracting. They both want to work at a cutting-edge company, but that isn’t the only factor they are considering.
Working for a quality and family company is important to them because family has been a large part of their lives.
“So obviously my goal is … when I graduate to be a project engineer at a good construction program or a good construction company that really produces good quality work and is obviously a place that is like family, and I can get along with everyone and be a part of a team.” Tyler said.
