Texas A&M Competition Teams Prepare Students for Construction Careers

Each year, competition season gives Texas A&M’s Department of Construction Science an opportunity to test more than what students know in the classroom. It also asks them to lead, collaborate, quickly problem solve and deliver under deadlines tighter than what they will face in the field.

“The best summary I’ve ever heard is that it’s like the entire semester-long capstone in a 24-hour period,” said Jake Turki ’25, a member of the Electrical competition team.

This year, construction science has its largest competition participation with 11 teams across a wide range of construction specialties, including commercial and design-build to electrical, mechanical, heavy civil and emerging specialty competitions.

Together, the teams gave more than 65 students the opportunity to compete against top construction programs from across the country.

What It Takes to Compete

Competition teams spend months preparing to solve real-world construction problems under intense deadlines. Many of the teams compete through the Associated Schools of Construction, while others participate in specialty events such as the NAHB Residential Construction Competition, the Asphalt Road-eo and the Roofing Alliance Competition.

“They work on projects from start to finish: estimating, scheduling, project management — everything except actually building it,” said Assistant Department Head Shelley Smith.

With more than 1,500 students enrolled across the department’s programs, earning a seat on a competition team is highly competitive. Students apply and rank their preferred teams, and faculty coaches evaluate them based on technical ability, leadership potential, internship experience, communication skills and the time commitment required to compete nationally.

Student leaders also help shape the teams’ rosters. Electrical Team Captain Thomas Stephan ’26 said he looked for students who could contribute immediately and continue to grow on the team.

“I looked for people with internship experience, strong work ethic and the ability to commit time,” Stephan said. “But also people who could grow into future leaders.”

Once teams are selected, preparation begins months before they travel. Industry partners mentor students by providing real projects, plans, schedules and budgets that reflect current practice. They also volunteer as mock judges, review presentations and give feedback throughout the process.

Some teams add field experiences or full practice runs before competitions to sharpen their skills. Senior Lecturer Jonathan Houston, who coached the Electrical team, organized a visit to a data center project and led a 14-hour mock competition before the team traveled to Reno.

Under Pressure

In Reno, six students from the Electrical Team sat down with a flash drive containing a full-scope electrical retrofit for a data center. For a professional team, the project might take weeks to estimate, schedule and present. They had 14 hours.

Midway through the competition, the team hit a setback. A deliverable was off track, and the clock was still running.

“A big part was learning to work together, disagreeing respectfully and building trust as a team,” said team member Zach Amaya ’26. 

The team regrouped, redistributed the work and kept moving. For Amaya, that part of the experience mattered as much as the final result.

“The time constraints mirror the real industry,” team captain Stephan said. “You have to deliver high-quality work quickly, just like on an actual job.”  

The experience is part of what makes competition season valuable to employers who mentor and sponsor the teams. Students apply technical knowledge while also practicing communication, coordination and decision-making under pressure.

Associate Professor Charles Gurganus, the faculty advisor for the undergraduate Asphalt team, said those experiences provide students with a different level of preparation.

“Texas A&M students are high-caliber students that thrive on success,” Gurganus said. “Students that participate in competitions rise to the occasion. They learn so much about the topic, have a ton of fun and show the industry the caliber of student produced at A&M.”

From this year’s electrical team alone, graduates are heading to Flintco, Bartlett Cocke, Tellepsen and Burns & McDonnell. 

“Companies get to see who’s driven and capable,” Stephan said. “It’s almost like a live interview.”

Houston said the focus remains on students’ effort and personal growth as much as the outcome.

In February, Houston’s electrical team took 1st place at the ASC Region 6 & 7 competition in Reno. The result mattered, but so did what students learned along the way.

“The goal isn’t just to win. It’s to give your best effort,” Houston explained. “And when you do that, the results take care of themselves.”

Strong Industry Supporters

Industry support plays an important role in making the competition season possible. 

Senior Lecturer Hernan Guerra, industry relations coordinator, said sending all 11 teams and their students to events around the country relies on the Construction Industry Advisory Council’s support for travel, lodging, registration, training materials and professional attire.

“The success and continued growth of our competition teams would not be possible without the incredible support of our CIAC partners to provide these transformational opportunities at such a large scale,” Guerra added.

Beyond the financial impact, industry partners help ensure that Aggie students represent Texas A&M with professionalism and pride.

“It is always meaningful to see our students dressed professionally while also showcasing the companies that believe in and invest in their future,” Guerra said.

Guerra expressed gratitude for the numerous CIAC industry partners who contributed significant time to mentor and prepare students for this season.

“Their investment goes far beyond sponsorship — it is a direct investment in developing the next generation of leaders for the construction industry,” Guerra said.

This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 edition of the Construction Industry Advisory Council newsletter.