Now in its third year, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s bi-annual Construction Networking Event has been growing in popularity, with last month’s spring event hitting record attendance. Both UW-Platteville organizers and participating companies credit the success to the unique format of the event.
Thirty-five construction companies and more than 150 construction management and construction safety management students attended this spring’s event. Students had the opportunity to network with company representatives and learn about their projects, company culture and job and internship opportunities.
“The Construction Networking Event is a unique event, as it is not your typical setting that you see at a career fair,” said Gretchen Bockenhauer, program coordinator and assistant professor of construction management. “It is based on building networks and making connections. This event has continued to grow and be very successful, with the help of our UW-Platteville alumni. With their support, the word has gotten out there about this event and continued to grow.”
This spring’s event saw a record number of alumni participating, with nearly 50 in attendance.
“We have been attending this event since it started a few years back,” said Maurice Mueller, superintendent at JP Cullen and a 2007 alumnus of UW-Platteville. “This event is different than your typical career fair in the sense that it feels much more relaxed for students to network. With that, it gives employers an opportunity to have a more casual conversation with the students.”
Bockenhauer said industry partners are already showing their excitement for the fall event, with 17 securing their spot already. The fall event will take place Wednesday, Oct. 4. For more information, visit www.uwplatt.edu/events/2023/10/fall-construction-networking-event.