Tue,
09/17/2024 – 02:26pm | Through: Ivonne Kawas
Jose Mendez’s pastime for building used to be ignited at a tender age, impressed by means of the
tales his uncles shared about their paintings on a building website as participants of the
craft staff. Listening to about their day by day reports sparked a need to be phase
of tasks that construct communities, hospitals, bridges, and waterways – one thing
he knew would fill him with delight.
Born in Laurel, Omit., Mendez spent maximum of his formative years in Veracruz, Mexico. At
age 12, his oldsters made up our minds to ship him again to the U.S. in pursuit of a higher schooling,
a transfer that introduced important demanding situations. “After I moved again, I struggled with speaking
in English,” Mendez mirrored. “However I’m proud to mention I’ve conquer each problem
I’ve confronted since then.”
Lately, Mendez is pursuing his aspirations as a Development Control scholar in
the Faculty of Development and Design at The College of Southern Mississippi (USM).
His instructional adventure started at Jones School, the place he earned an Affiliate of Implemented
Science in Civil Engineering Generation. Due to the sturdy relationships cultivated
between USM and Jones, his switch to Southern Omit used to be seamless, surroundings an instance
for different scholars following his lead.
Benefiting from the early-career alternatives introduced at Southern Omit, Mendez
not too long ago finished a prestigious internship with Kiewit Company, considered one of North The us’s main building and engineering organizations. Whilst
running with the East Operations staff, he contributed to high-profile renovation tasks
in Castle Meade, Md., and for the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
“Having the ability to say I’ve labored for considered one of North The us’s most sensible contractors, as ranked
by means of Engineering Information-Report, is a testomony to my determination and grit in overcoming stumbling blocks,” Mendez mentioned.
“This enjoy supplied me with precious trade insights and expansion, for which
I’m thankful to Kiewit.”
On this function, Mendez controlled submittals, coordinated with subcontractors, and maintained
record regulate. He additionally carried out high quality and protection protocols by means of creating paintings
plans and carrying out possibility tests. Moreover, he used to be chargeable for managing
RFIs, submittal programs, exchange orders, and subcontract agreements.
“This internship enjoy has been a studying enjoy like no different. From day
one, I used to be handled like a full-time worker and welcomed into the Kiewit circle of relatives.
I used to be given the chance to take possession of my obligations, immediately contributing
to the staff’s good fortune,” Mendez mentioned.
Amongst his many accolades, Mendez is the recipient of the Southern Omit Basis’s
Related Normal Contractors (AGC) of Mississippi Long term Leaders in Development
Scholarship. He additionally served as an alternative at the 2024 Related Developers and Contractors
(ABC) Development Control Pageant staff, the place his contributions helped the
staff rank within the most sensible 10 nationally.
Reflecting on his enjoy taking part within the festival, Mendez mentioned, “Being
a part of the ABC Pageant staff used to be an enriching enjoy. It allowed me to hook up with classmates, as smartly
as with scholars from around the country, whilst running on a real-world building
mission. Because the staff’s high quality regulate supervisor, the enjoy helped me give a boost to each
my technical and comfortable talents, making ready me for my internship with Kiewit.”
Dr. Fan Zhang, affiliate professor and program coordinator for Development Control, praised Mendez
for his management and personality.
“His time at Kiewit Company highlights his onerous paintings and determination, however what
stands proud maximum is his remarkable personality. He’s extremely well mannered, type, and all the time
in a position to strengthen his teammates,” Dr. Zhang mentioned. “Closing yr, Jose took fee of the standard regulate segment for our ABC Pageant
staff, and his efforts performed a key function in serving to the staff rank within the most sensible 10 nationally
– an important accomplishment. Along with his sturdy paintings ethic and management, it’s no marvel
he’s being known as a long term chief in building. I haven’t any doubt that he’ll
proceed to provoke everybody he works with, and I’m actually excited to look him be in a position
for existence.”
The Faculty of Development and Design at Southern Omit is constituted of the next disciplines: building control,
architectural engineering generation and internal design.
