Welcome Hailey Weber, one of the 2026 Summer Building Group Interns. She is working on the University of St. Joseph Library renovation. Hailey is a rising senior at the University of Connecticut, studying Civil and Environmental Engineering. At UConn she is a part of the University Ballet Company and the Mansfield Middle School Mentoring and Tutoring Club, where she tutors students in math.
For Hailey, no two days are the same. She begins each day by responding to emails, following up on correspondence, and coordinating with Project Engineer Nora Campo to identify ways she can support the team. Having once been an intern herself, Nora has been an invaluable mentor, providing guidance and sharing the knowledge needed to succeed in the role. A key part of Hailey’s responsibilities involves managing and tracking submittals. To help keep the process organized and on schedule, she developed an Excel tracker that allows the team to monitor progress and follow up on outstanding items efficiently. Throughout the day, Hailey attends project meetings and regularly walks the job site with the Superintendent, who explains the work being performed by each trade and how it aligns with the project drawings and overall construction schedule. She also collaborates with trade partners to help address challenges as they arise, gaining hands-on experience in problem-solving and project coordination in a fast-paced construction environment.
Throughout her internship, Hailey has developed valuable skills by learning how to navigate challenging situations and adapt to the demands of a fast-paced project environment. One of the biggest lessons she has learned is the importance of persistence and effective communication. “It can be difficult when you are on a deadline and people won’t respond to you with the information you need,” she explains. These experiences have pushed her out of her comfort zone, helping her build confidence and improve her communication skills by encouraging her to connect directly with people on-site to find the answers she needs. In addition to strengthening her interpersonal skills, Hailey has significantly expanded her technical knowledge. She has become proficient in Procore, a software that was brand new to her. “I had never used the platform before this internship, and now I can easily maneuver the site,” she says. Mastering the software has not only increased her confidence in her technical abilities but has also given her a strong foundation for learning new tools and technologies throughout her career.
Hailey is grateful for the professional experience this internship has given her. She now understands more about how the construction industry works and all the coordination that goes into completing a project. “We will have an email chain go back and forth six times about one submittal,” she shares. “There is a lot to keep track of, so it is important to stay organized.” Hailey has enjoyed seeing how a field operation functions, especially how the team solves problems as they appear on-site.
Hailey hope that all future interns “stay proactive.” “If there is a problem that can be solved through research, take the initiative and look it up.” She also makes sure to ask questions and stresses the importance of doing so. “Don’t be afraid of sounding dumb,” she notes. “Everyone has been in your position at some point, so they will not judge you for asking for clarification.”
Having grown up in Southbury, Hailey was familiar with O&G as a company. She was drawn to them because of the work they do in education, from building new schools to renovating ones like the project she is on. After talking with Brian Pettway at a career fair, she knew she wanted to intern with O&G for the summer.
Hailey loves spending time with her two cats, Saige and Maple, whenever she is home.
