Building Group Intern – Windermere Elementary School, Ellington
Roger Williams University, Construction Management
Meet Will Desantos, a Construction Management student at Roger Williams University who’s spending his summer interning as a Project Manager at the Windermere Elementary School project in Ellington, CT. With a strong background in hands-on carpentry and a deep-rooted passion for building, Will is putting his classroom knowledge into action and gaining a clearer picture of what a future in construction management could look like.
During his time with O&G, Will has taken on a wide range of responsibilities—from RFI markups and submittals to organizing bid packages. Lately, he’s added daily logs and meeting minutes to his routine, which has quickly become his favorite part of the job. “The daily report gives me a chance to walk the site, see the work getting done, and talk to the guys—not just about the job, but about their lives outside of work,” he says. “It’s those conversations that help me feel connected to the team.”
One of the biggest lessons Will has learned so far is how fast-paced and ever-changing a construction site can be. “Plans change quickly, and that’s taught me how important it is to stay adaptable and communicate clearly,” he says. That constant movement and problem-solving energy has only deepened his interest in the industry.
Will’s internship experience has given him valuable insight into the construction management career path he’s working toward. “I’m finally getting to see what each member of the team is responsible for and how they do their jobs well. It’s helped me visualize what my job and life might look like after college.”
He credits Brody Roy, the Project Engineer on the Windermere job with being especially influential in his development. “He’s taken the time to walk me through things step by step. I feel like I’m learning more out here than I ever could in a classroom.”
Will’s love for construction is long-standing. With several years of experience as a carpenter already under his belt, he’s confident that construction is where he wants to be. “The collaborative nature of the work, the learning opportunities, and the reward of seeing a project come together from start to finish—it’s incredibly fulfilling.”
His path to O&G was rooted in personal experience. Having grown up in Glastonbury, CT, Will was already familiar with the company and its projects—including the Riverfront Park Boathouse, a project he remembers watching go up as a kid. “I’ve seen O&G’s work all over the state and always admired their presence,” he says. “So when it came time to look for an internship, they were a natural choice.”
His advice to future O&G interns? “Ask questions, build relationships with your team, and be a sponge. There’s something to learn from everyone—not just about the job, but about life.”
Outside of work, Will is just as hands-on. He enjoys snowboarding, sailing, golfing, and fly fishing—and he has a personal goal of one day building his own home from the ground up using the skills he’s developed through both work and side carpentry jobs.
With his strong foundation in the trades and growing project management experience, Will is well on his way to a future filled with meaningful builds—and maybe even a home of his own design.
