2023 Summer Interns @ MATT

Summers are always an exciting time at MATT Construction as our jobsites welcome fresh perspectives, an eagerness to learn, and curiosity from our summer interns. Meet the hardworking interns that are bringing fresh energy to MATT’s jobsites this summer.

Meet Joie Gindorf, Kyle Revale, Tessa Offut, Grace O’Malley, Alex Wrightsman, Kevin Ambriz, and Hannah Thompson below.

Joie Gindorf: Project Engineer Intern at California Science Center Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your summer at MATT Construction.

A: I am a rising senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign majoring in Civil Engineering with a primary focus in Construction Engineering and Management. I’m from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois and before working at MATT, I had never been to California. Living within driving distance of the ocean has been such a new and fun experience. This summer, I’m part of the team at the California Science Center Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. The building will be the new home for space shuttle Endeavour.

Q: What is your favorite part about the project you’re working on this summer at MATT?

A: I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work on such a unique and complex project. Part of my decision to pursue a career in construction was to have an impact on the lives of others, and I know this building will accomplish that. As a child, I discovered my passion for science and engineering at museums such as the California Science Center, so it’s very special to me to know that I have a small role in providing that experience for future generations.

Q: Who has been an influential figure during your time interning at MATT?

A: My entire project team has been incredible to work with. I work closest with my supervisor (Assistant Project Manager), Erica Leung, and Project Engineer, Kit Murphy. As a woman in this industry, I am inspired by Erica’s confidence and leadership. Together, Erica and Kit have helped me to understand the ‘ins and outs’ of being a project engineer and they have always taken the time to support me when I have trouble understanding a task.

Q: What has been your biggest takeaway interning at MATT?

A: I’ve learned that I must be ready and willing to step out of my comfort zone to learn something new. When given a challenging task, I try everything I can to complete it on my own. When I’m feeling stuck, I’m able to ask as many questions as I need to in order to understand. Ultimately, I’ve been able to gain a lot of knowledge through the day-to-day and have found that overcoming challenges is incredibly rewarding.

Kyle Revale: Project Engineer Intern at Confidential Estate Home Project

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your summer at MATT Construction.

A: I’m an incoming third year student at USC majoring in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Construction Management. I am heavily involved in campus life as a student leader and pursuing research. When I’m not working or thinking about construction, I love swimming and playing video games! This summer, I’m working on one of MATT’s Confidential Estate Home projects.

Q: What is your favorite part about interning at MATT?

A: My favorite part about interning at MATT is my project team. I’m surrounded by a team of great minds who are also very cool and funny people–they’ve all been great mentors to me, and we laugh every day. I love that I feel very involved in this project and as someone who enjoys hard work, I like having the opportunity to be active on the jobsite every day.

Q: What has been your biggest takeaway interning at MATT?

A: My biggest takeaway from interning at MATT is that great things come with practice and time. It only keeps me more motivated to work towards my goals in construction because there is so much to see and do.

Q: What inspires you to put on the MATT hardhat every day?

A: My dad is who inspires me to put on the hardhat every day. I’ve always looked up to my dad and I’m thrilled to be following in his footsteps in construction.

Tessa Offut: Project Engineer Intern at the Natural History Museum Commons Project

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your summer at MATT Construction.

A: I’m going to be a senior at Purdue University in Construction Engineering and Management Technology and this is my third summer interning at MATT! I love going to the beach and visiting different museums in my free time. This summer I’m working on the Natural History Museum Commons project.

Q: What is your favorite part about the project you’re working on this summer at MATT?

A: My favorite part about the project I’m on this summer is the stage of construction the project is currently in. During my previous internships, I joined the projects later during the final construction stages. This summer, I joined right as the activities were picking up! I saw the whole steel structure of the building go up in my first six weeks of being on the project, which was awesome since I had never experienced that before.

Q: What inspires you to put on the MATT hardhat every day?

A: Seeing the results of MATT’s past projects has been a huge inspiration to me in putting on the MATT hardhat every day. MATT has such a good reputation with their clients and with the city in general. Not to mention all of the fascinating projects MATT has built… it’s all very exciting to be a part of!

Q: What is your favorite part about interning at MATT?

A: My favorite part about interning at MATT definitely has to be the people I get to work with. I think this has been my answer to this question every summer, but I truly am surrounded by so many intelligent and confident people that are so open to helping me any time I need it. As an intern it can be very intimidating to come onto a project with little experience, but every project team I have been a part of at MATT has welcomed me with open arms, which has helped me to learn and absorb so much more.

Grace O’Malley: Project Engineer Intern at USC School of Dramatic Arts

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your summer at MATT Construction.

A: I’m entering my sophomore year at Purdue University where I’m studying Construction Engineering and Management. I love animals, crocheting, puzzles, and working on cars and home improvement projects with my dad. This summer at MATT, I’m working on the USC School of Dramatic Arts project.

Q: What is your favorite part about the project you’re working on this summer at MATT?

A: The USC School of Dramatic Arts project is an adaptive reuse project that involves restoring as much of the original building’s historical elements as possible. It’s been really cool to see how the old and the new come together.

Q: What has been your biggest takeaway from interning at MATT?

A: Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Q: Who has been an influential figure during your time interning at MATT?

A: Our project’s Superintendent, Jared Cannato, who also went to Purdue University. He has been giving me advice on how to navigate my major, as well as answering my questions about the industry and what supervision is like.

Alex Wrightsman: Project Engineer Intern at West Harbor Phase 1A

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your summer at MATT Construction.

A: I am entering my final year at Cal Poly Pomona and I cannot wait to be done and start my career! My interests include working out, surfing, and playing instruments. This is my second summer interning at MATT and I’m enjoying it immensely. I come from a small background in construction, so interning has proven to be a challenging, but fruitful uphill battle. This summer at MATT I’m working on the West Harbor Phase 1A project.

Q: What is your favorite part about the project you’re working on this summer at MATT?

A: The team I get to work with on a daily basis is without a doubt my favorite part about this project. I also really appreciate MATT’s open‐door policy and their emphasis on learning throughout the entirety of the internship process.

Q: What has been your biggest takeaway from interning at MATT?

A: Leave no stone unturned, you’ll never know what you might find.

Q: What inspires you to put on the MATT hardhat every day?

A: MATT’s overall passion for building and the amount of care the company puts into building positive relationships with both owners and subcontractors alike.

Kevin Ambriz:

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your summer at MATT Construction.

A: I will be entering my junior year at Cal Poly Pomona in the fall of 2023. My hobbies include going on hikes, hanging out with my friends, and doing random YouTube cardio workouts. This summer I’m working as an Estimating intern at MATT where I’m working on a variety of estate home, K-12 education, and mixed-use projects.

Q: What has been your favorite part about working in Estimating this summer?

A: My favorite part of Estimating is seeing how all of the quantities from takeoffs come together into a budget for a project. At times, working on takeoffs can be extremely tedious, but once I see them all come together to develop pricing, it brings a great feeling of accomplishment.

Q: Who has been an influential figure during your time interning at MATT?

A: Influential figures during my time at MATT have been: Hakim Khalil, Conor Hanlon, and Matthew Vidrio. Hakim, Senior Vice President of Estimating, has been very influential because he has so much experience and such a vast knowledge of what it takes to get a project from conceptual drawings to construction. He’s also very approachable and answers all questions very logically. Likewise, Connor has been influential because he’s a very engaging person and answers questions accurately, while also making his explanations very comprehendible. Finally, Matthew has been very inspiring to me because despite being fairly new to the company and industry, he has a great grasp on the business and has proven to me that through hard work and dedication, it’s possible to always be learning and developing in this industry.

Q: What has been your biggest takeaway from interning at MATT?

A: My biggest takeaway from interning at MATT is to always ask questions. There will always be someone who knows about a certain process or topic better than you, and I’m learning how crucial it is to ask questions, whether it be to my team or to subcontractors.

Hannah Thompson: Project Engineer Intern at Echelon Studios

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your summer at MATT Construction.

A: I’m from Noblesville Indiana and I’m a Construction Engineering and Management student at Purdue University. I play the flute and tenor saxophone and I like to play Magic the Gathering in my free time. This summer I’m working on the Echelon Studios project.

Q: What inspires you to put on the MATT hardhat every day?

A: Working for MATT has been a great learning experience and the knowledge that I gain when learning something new at work every day inspires me to continue.

Q: Who has been an influential figure during your time interning at MATT?

A: My supervisor, Arlen Hartoonian, has been a great influential figure during my internship at MATT. He has a great work ethic that inspires me and has been a great help to me in learning about the industry.

Q: What have you learned during your internship thus far and how do you plan to take what you’ve learned into your future aspirations?

A: I have learned a lot about the bid process and about making and compiling RFI’s. I plan to take this knowledge into my future work experiences because I know they will be valuable skills to have in my career.

Thank you to all of our incredible interns for your hard work this summer and for participating in these interviews. We look forward to cheering you on as you continue forward in your education and careers!