Texas A&M Competition Teams Prepare Students for Construction Careers

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.”

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 CIAC’s support for travel, lodging, registration, training materials and professional attire. This year, travel support was provided by Caddell, PCI, Dynamic Systems, Archer Western, Sundt, Turner, Joeris and CORE Construction.

“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. Apparel and swag support was provided by Turner, Joeris, CORE Construction, Caddell, PCI, Sundt and Dynamic Systems.

“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.