By Chloe Lyle

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern for Martin Concrete Construction, the Tilt-Up Association’s (TCA) Contractor of the Year in 2020. This experience has forever changed my view on a career in marketing. I was given the opportunity to see how marketing plays a crucial role within the construction industry, which has opened my eyes to the fascinating world of concrete that I took for granted beforehand.

Internships are important in preparing the next generation to replace the aging workforce, especially in industries like construction where there is a shortage of skilled labor. The Allianz Risk Barometer report in 2024 stated that 75% of companies globally had reported talent shortages and difficulty hiring over the past year. Developing new talent through internships enhances the future of construction by creating a skilled workforce that will continue to grow. Additionally, internships can lead to job opportunities after graduation, providing a smooth transition from training to full-time employment.

Before starting my internship I knew nothing about the construction industry, let alone the world of concrete. However, I was eager to learn everything I could about both. My primary objective for the summer was to gain hands-on experience by visiting multiple projects in various phases of construction. Witnessing these processes in action provided valuable insights on how to properly market and promote our company’s mission, our people, and the quality work they produce.

Tilt-up construction is one of the most efficient building methods, and Martin Concrete is no stranger to the tilt-wall building process. Their family of companies all play crucial roles needed to succeed in every project. I had many opportunities to see our subsidiary company, Full Tilt Crane Services, in action on numerous job sites. I had the privilege of using my growing expertise in photography to market these projects while exploring this technique and its advantages.

Martin Concrete places a strong emphasis on helping people grow both professionally and personally, and I got to witness this firsthand. The team is filled with talented individuals who all shared their experiences, knowledge, and expertise with me throughout my time with the company. I had the chance to interview some of the previous interns who turned into current employees. During our conversations, I asked them to share their experiences while interning and what impact they had in their career development.

Sam Huff, who started as an intern and is now a senior project manager, was given the chance to attend a TCA convention in St. Louis during his internship. On this trip he had learning opportunities and met multiple contractors within the industry. “Going to TCA further opened my eyes to tilt-up construction. From the residential complexes built atop mountains in

Canada, to the giga factories in the Southwest US, there’s more to the industry than what I was accustomed to in the Southeast,” Sam stated.

An estimator, Colby Henson, had the opportunity of attending the Tilt-Up Future Think in Chicago when he was an intern. “I was still learning about the industry and didn’t really understand what I was attending. I learned about the history of tilt which I was unaware of, and where the industry is going with all the new innovative technologies to better assist the process,” he said. This was one of the key moments that helped him discover his interest in the concrete industry and start his career. Henson also described his first-time experience watching a crane stand panels: “During my first time seeing the tilt process, my first thought was how large the crane was. It was intriguing to see them lift and stand such large structures of concrete.”

Throughout each interview, each team member stated how drastically different the environment and company culture at Martin Concrete was versus other companies that they have been a part of. The team at Martin Concrete makes everyone feel a part of the family, and they are eager to help you learn and grow professionally within the company and the concrete industry.

Luke Barrett discussed with me how his internship stuck out over others and shared some of the opportunities it provided. Luke is now an assistant project manager with Martin Concrete and a valued team member. Luke described his experience by saying, “This internship excelled highly over others I was involved in. I was able to participate in almost everything, practice what I was being taught on projects, allowed in meetings, jobsite visits, team outings, and the list goes on. Many of my peers had internships in construction and sat at a computer, bored all day. Martin Concrete’s internship program was very hands-on and interactive.”

The first time I observed the tilt operation was when I visited our Blackwell job site in Atlanta, Georgia. Seeing Martin Concrete and Full Tilt Construction hard at work for the first time was an experience I’ll never forget. My initial thought was how small I felt next to Full Tilt’s 440 Liebherr crane. Watching the team work together during this critical operation not only expanded my knowledge of the tilt process, but it also deepened my appreciation for the role each team member plays on these projects.

This internship was more than just a learning experience; it was an opportunity to build a foundation for a successful career in construction. From understanding the importance of marketing in the corporate world to having hands-on experiences and learning from industry experts, I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I never thought this would be the industry I would work in, but I have fallen in love with the world of tilt-up concrete construction. Through my interviews and discussions with other Martin Concrete team members I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. When concrete gets in your blood you never want to leave.