Former McCarthy Interns Describe Valuable Internship Experiences
As we celebrate National Intern Day, we want to share insights from some former McCarthy interns about their own internship experiences — and how those experiences made a profound impact on their careers.
Megan O’Brien
Senior Marketing Coordinator, National Marketing and Communications Team
Megan recalled the first time she stepped into the Dallas office of the Southern Region Marketing Team.
“From my first day, I felt welcomed and included — not only with my team but with everyone in the office,” she said. “People were always stopping by my desk to chat, asking how things were going, or asking if I wanted to go to lunch.”
Megan also felt the unique aspect of a hands-on, immersive experience. She wasn’t a bystander, she was an active participant. She was asking questions, giving feedback and helping get the work done.
“Something that set this program apart was hitting the ground running from day one,” Megan said. “My manager was having me attend business unit strategy meetings and assigning me work to assist with proposal documents right away.
“I loved being so engaged with the business and really having a hand in the outcome of being awarded a project after the proposal was submitted.”
How does Megan describe the overall value and impact of her McCarthy internship?
“It was exceptionally valuable to me,” she said. “The relationships I formed with my team and people in other departments stayed with me even when I returned to college — and I was ecstatic to receive a full-time offer.
“Those early relationships I formed during my internship have lasted through today. I still regularly keep up with people that I met that summer, even some people who were in the same intern class with me.”
Not just a cookie-cutter internship, Megan’s summer was filled with the experiences and knowledge that helped pave the way for her career. The Texas A&M graduate has been with McCarthy since 2019 and transitioned from Southern Region Marketing to the national Marketing Communications team in 2022.
“Coming in, I knew very little about construction,” Megan said, “and the amount that I learned just in the three months of my internship confirmed that I wanted to work in the industry. The true difference-maker for McCarthy was all the different things I was able to participate in as an intern. I went on jobsite tours, helped with multiple Heart Hats events, created assets that were submitted with proposals, and even helped with interview prep for a project McCarthy was then rewarded.”
The passion Megan felt as an intern has burned just as brightly as her career has progressed.
“I remember thinking if this is what I get to do as an intern, I can’t wait to see how many opportunities will be available to me when I start working full-time,” she said. “That has definitely been the case.”
Jose Bojorquez
Senior Project Manager, Southern Pacific Region
“What set McCarthy apart for me was the genuine care and support from all McCarthy partners,” Jose said. “From day one, everyone was excited to share their knowledge and invest in my growth.”
That included the exceptional experience he had working with Steve Finley, a layout foreman at the time on the Qualcomm Parking Structure in San Diego.
“I remember drafting an RFI on column dimensions and going to the field to verify the details,” Jose said. “Steve guided me through the process, explaining every dimension and helping me articulate our questions. Despite the challenge of me keeping up with all the dimensions and his calculations, Steve's mentorship left a lasting impression.”
Making that memory even better is that Steve was the first superintendent Jose worked with as a project manager.
“We continue to collaborate on our second project together, reflecting the enduring relationships fostered during my internship,” Jose said. “This experience underscores how the people you meet during an internship can profoundly influence your future.”
The learning started early for Jose, who appreciated the opportunity to jump right into the project team mix.
“There were many things I learned during my internship — including posting RFIs on the back of paper sets of drawings, how to create an electronic plan room in Bluebeam, and how to make coffee,” he said. “But two of the most important things I learned and experienced were the McCarthy culture and the Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP).
“The two previous companies I had interned with also had an ESOP, but after learning about McCarthy’s ESOP structure, I realized not all ESOPs are created equal.”
Jose also found value in his internship on another level.
“What really hit home for me during my internship was our core purpose: to be the best builder in America,” he explained. “During my internship, I had the opportunity to work on two projects where we self-performed concrete. One of the biggest takeaways that has stayed with me since then is the understanding of how important self-perform is to our business — and how it supports our core purpose.
“The appreciation and curiosity for self-perform work has taught me how to best support this aspect of our business.”
Looking back on his own career journey, Jose fully believes the McCarthy internship made a huge difference.
“The McCarthy Intern Advantage program stands out because of its people-first approach,” he said. “Everyone at McCarthy is dedicated to creating an exceptional learning environment for interns. Witnessing the dedication and effort behind the scenes has deepened my appreciation for the program's effectiveness and its role in McCarthy's success.”
Learn more about McCarthy's internship program at mccarthy.com/careers/interns.
