Ryan Poland is one of the Building Group’s 2026 summer interns and is currently working on the Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School project in Providence, Rhode Island. A rising senior at the University of Connecticut, Ryan is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering while also competing as a member of the UConn Men’s Rugby Team. We are excited to have Ryan join the team for the summer.
Ryan typically begins each day by walking the jobsite to stay familiar with the project’s progress. Since the project broke ground earlier this summer, he has focused on learning the site layout and understanding the overall footprint. During his morning walk, Ryan regularly checks in with the concrete foreman, as concrete operations are currently a primary focus of the project. He also takes time to speak with other foremen and trades on site to gain insight into their daily activities and how their work contributes to advancing the project.
One of Ryan’s favorite responsibilities is filming the jobsite using the OpenSpace camera, which allows him to capture and track project progress. In addition, he has been developing his skills in Procore by creating placeholders for upcoming work packages, managing submittals, and assisting with RFIs. These experiences have helped him gain a broader understanding of project coordination and construction management processes.
Lucky for Ryan, the Spaziano Middle School project is being completed a few miles away in Providence, which he gets to visit. Unlike the RFK Elementary School, the middle school job is in its final stages. “I get to see both sides of a project,” Ryan explains. He has enjoyed helping complete punch list items at the nearly finished site and values the opportunity to experience both the beginning and end stages of a construction project. “Both projects keep me busy, but I wanted an experience where I could dive right in. This has been just that.”
This internship has also given Ryan his first exposure to the office side of construction. Having previously worked as a framer, he was already comfortable being in the field. His biggest adjustment was learning the administrative and managerial responsibilities required to keep a project running smoothly. “When completing submittals, I had difficulty at first knowing what to look for,” he says. “It’s a constant back-and-forth process, but now I can confidently work through it on my own.” Ryan has fully embraced the experience, taking advantage of every opportunity to learn, ask questions, and expand his skill set.
One aspect of working for O&G that has stood out to Ryan is the level of coordination required to keep a project moving forward each day. He was surprised by the number of subcontractors on site each day. “There are so many moving parts,” he says. “The subs have subs, so there can be ten different companies working on the site at once. It’s cool to see how everyone works together to get the job done.” Interacting with a variety of trades has helped Ryan strengthen his communication skills and gain a deeper appreciation for the coordination required to keep a project moving forward. He has also developed a better understanding of the construction process and the many steps involved in preparing a site for successful operation.
Ryan encourages all interns to “get on site.” He cannot stress enough the importance of making the computer-to-site connection. “Being out in the field helps you visualize everything so much better,” he states. “You will be able to read drawings easier and understand how everything comes together.” Ryan has particularly enjoyed applying what he learns in the trailer to the work taking place on the jobsite each day.
Outside of work and rugby practice, you can find Ryan on the trails of New Hampshire, dirt biking with his friends.
