Building Group Intern – Torrington Middle High School
Western New England University, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Class of 2027
Meet Gabriela Sliwka, a Civil & Environmental Engineering major at Western New England University, who’s gaining valuable hands-on experience this summer at the Torrington High School/Middle School construction site. With graduation set for May 2027, Gabriela is already laying the foundation for a promising career in the industry.
Gabriela describes her internship with O&G as a great learning experience that’s opening her eyes to the possibilities of a future in construction. Many of her tasks involve calculating starting values—like square footage or material quantities—based on project plans. But what excites her most is getting out into the field. “My favorite tasks are the ones that require me to go out and see how the project is moving along,” she says.
One of the biggest lessons she’s learned? Progress takes time—and understanding the scale and timeline of a project can be a challenge at first. “Starting in a new field with little to no experience, it takes time to understand what’s going on and where you can be most efficient with your skills,” she explains.
Still, Gabriela has found real satisfaction in contributing to something tangible. “This internship helped me see that my future career could be in construction management. There’s a certain level of satisfaction that comes from working on a collective project and watching it reach completion.”
She’s also discovered that construction offers a rewarding path. “Knowing that you’re helping create opportunities for others through the infrastructure being built—that’s something meaningful,” she says.
Gabriela credits the O&G team at the Torrington project for being a huge part of her growth. “They’ve allowed me to jump right into the process and have taught me so much along the way.”
For Gabriela, the decision to intern with O&G was personal as well as professional. She was drawn to the company because of its impact on the community—working on projects close to home that make a real difference.
Her advice for future interns? “Try the task by yourself first, but if you get stuck, just ask. It’s so much easier to ask a question than waste time wondering how to complete the next step.”
Outside of work, Gabriela is an avid skier and dreams of traveling across the U.S. to explore and ski at different mountains.
We’re excited to see where Gabriela’s drive and curiosity take her next!
