The Building Group is excited to welcome back Will Desantos as one of their 2026 summer interns. Will is working on the Windermere Elementary School project in Ellington, CT. This is his second year as an intern for O&G, and he is glad to be back working on the same project as last summer. Will is a rising senior at Roger Williams University studying Construction Management with a minor in Business.
Every morning Will goes out into the field to complete a daily report. He marks site activities, counts the number of workers, and takes note of which of the subcontractors are there. He also manages submittals, checks project data for missing information, attends different meetings, and assists with estimating and scheduling. Will does a lot of coordination with the trades, often solving problems that arise on site. As a regular presence on-site, Will works closely with the trades to resolve issues, earning the trust and respect of crews who rely on him to help keep the project running smoothly.
Will notes that the biggest difference between his first and second year with O&G is the amount of responsibility he has. “Instead of having to ask for more work each day, I am able to pick up tasks that I know need to be completed.” Having established a solid foundation last year, Will has expanded his knowledge and confidently assumed a more hands-on role. “I’m more comfortable with the work too,” he says. “I have the trust of the guys which makes it a lot easier to take care of problems as they happen.” Will loves being on the same project as last summer and is ready to see it through completion.
As Will is wrapping up his internship, he has begun to reflect on the skills he has seen improvements with. “My overall knowledge of the industry has grown exponentially,” he remarks. “Even compared to last year, I have a much deeper understanding of exactly what I am doing and why I am doing it.” Will has also seen growth in his document control skills, as well as his overall communication. “I am much more comfortable taking to the subs on site.” He has learned to speak up and ask people to submit their documents, helping to ensure the project stays on track.
Will’s work this summer compliments the coursework he completed at school, really showing the importance of learning through action. “I want to gain as much experience as I can, and the Windermere team has supported me every step of the way.” Will feels like a true member of this team and is proud to say that he was a part of helping this project come to life. He would like to shout out his Project Manager George Graikowski and Superintendent Brody Roy for mentoring him and being so beneficial to his success here at O&G. “They’ve genuinely helped me learn and grow exponentially throughout my internships and have really prepared me to start my career upon graduation.
When asked to share a piece of advice to future interns, Will’s answer was simple: “ask questions and take notes. I carry a notebook with me everywhere. Having notes to refer to makes doing your job a lot easier.” He even refers to the notes he took last summer, a true sign of his dedication and care for the project.
At Roger Williams University, Will serves as the Vice President of the Ski Club. His passion for the sport is undeniable, as he went snowboarding a total of twenty-seven times last winter. When not on the slopes you can find Will catching a wave, as he also loves to surf.
As he enters his senior year at Roger Williams University, Will looks forward to building on the experience he has gained at O&G. Will plans to pursue a career in construction management, with aspirations to work full-time at O&G.
