Connections That Build Careers: SIUE Annual Construction Networking Night Draws Record Crowd

Connections That Build Careers: SIUE Annual Construction Networking Night Draws Record Crowd

On September 16, 2025, the Construction Department at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted its Annual Construction Networking Night in the Morris University Center Ballroom - and it was one for the record books! With more than 200 attendees and 38 sponsoring companies, this year's event was the largest on record, bringing together students, faculty, alumni, and industry leaders for an evening of career-building connections.

Among the attendees was Olivia Reed, a first-year Construction Management student who came eager to explore the opportunities ahead.

"I definitely enjoyed coming out and actually getting to introduce myself and kind of start networking - especially as a freshman. That's very scary and it's a good opportunity," said Reed. "I do really think this will benefit me in the long run, and I'm very glad that I came out and did this, for sure."

Students like Reed had the opportunity to meet with representatives from general contractors, specialty subcontractors, engineering firms, and surveying companies.

"We come to events like this at SIUE to recruit our next new hires for full-time as well as interns. We've had great success at SIUE the last two summers for sure," said Patrick Grunloh of Grunloh Building, Inc. "It's extremely valuable for us [because] our people are the most important thing and it's the only thing that truly allows us to grow."

Recognitions and Growth
To encourage active engagement, students in attendance could enter to win one of three $500 scholarships by visiting at least 15 sponsor tables and submitting a completed stamp card. Congratulations to our lucky winners, Samuel Begley, Christian Padberg, and Charles Gentemann on receiving the scholarships!

A printed resume book was also distributed to all attending sponsors, streamlining the process for students to share their qualifications and make lasting impressions.

The night also carried a note of reflection and celebration, as Cem Karacal, PhD, Dean for the School of Engineering - who is retiring after 33 years with the School of Engineering - attended his final Networking Night.

Karacal said, "...Making these connections as early as [students] can when they start studying construction early on is extremely important because if you go to a company as a freshman or sophomore and demonstrate your skills and your work ethic, they are going to call you back for the following year….Next thing you know, you already have a job offer before you start your senior year."

Karacal further expressed his gratitude to the Department's leadership, faculty, and staff for organizing the event, as well as the companies for engaging with the students.

"Many of them are serving in our advisory board. We use their input to make sure that our curriculum rigor is aligned with their expectations and the market demands," said Karacal.

Looking Ahead
The Construction Department is incredibly proud of the growth and success of this annual tradition and extends a heartfelt thank you to all students, sponsors, and faculty who made this year's event possible.

Whether students came seeking internships, full-time opportunities, or just a chance to expand their network, the event delivered - and set the stage for even greater things to come.

Featured Sponsors include the following:

Alberici
ARCO Construction
Brahms Construction
Brinkmann Constructors
BSI Constructors
Budrovich
Byrne & Jones Construction
Contegra Construction
Drury Development Corporation
FCI Constructors
Focal Pointe
Goley Companies
Gonzalez Companies, LLC
Grunloh Building, Inc.
Hayden Wrecking
Helmkamp Construction
Holland Construction Services
IMPACT Strategies
Interface Construction
KCI Construction
Keeley Construction
Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc.
The Korte Company
MBG
McCarthy Building Companies
PARIC Corporation
Pfund Construction
Poettker Construction
Rowles Company
Russell Group Construction & Development
S.M. Wilson & Co.
SCI Engineering
Swinerton
Tarlton Corporation
Taylor Roofing
TWM, Inc.
Utilitera
Vee-Jay Cement

PHOTOS: Scenes from Annual Construction Networking Night in the Morris University Center Ballroom; Cem Karacal, PhD, Dean of SIUE's School of Engineering