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Intern Learns Value of Adaptability in Tough Times
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Chris DeHaan | Chris DeHaan, a junior at California Polytechnic State University in San Louis Obispo who was one of two students attending an eight-week internship at NAHB, learned how important adaptability and time management were to staying competitive and riding out today's downturn.
Working for two different builders as part of the internship, DeHaan said he “learned that to stay competitive in a changing economy requires a strong team, properly managing the amount and type of work you take on, and the ability to adapt to new kinds of work as customer expectations change.”
Along with Donald Stanley, a senior at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., DeHaan participated in the pilot NAHB Residential Construction Leadership/Internship Program funded by the National Housing Endowment ― a special internship for students attending universities funded by the Homebuilding Education Leadership Program (HELP).
Through the program, DeHaan learned about legal, legislative and regulatory issues that affect the building industry. He also learned about building products and management best practices while spending a week at the NAHB Research Center.
DeHaan worked at Rosenthal Homes, a family-owned and custom homebuilder and remodeler based in Rockville, Md., and at Craftmark Homes, a high-production, high-end builder and the largest privately owned builder in the Washington, D.C. area.
This internship program “was just a fabulous experience,” said Andy Rosenthal of Rosenthal Homes , who mentored DeHaan. “Chris was interested, focused and willing to learn. I have participated in hosting other interns before and this is by far the best experience I have ever had.”
At NAHB, DeHaan worked on and learned about the many programs the association provides its membership. These resources “will be integral to me as I enter the workforce,” he said, while noting that he plans to use his membership after graduation to take advantage of all the programs and resources available through NAHB.
DeHaan said that he will take what he learned during his internship back to CalPoly where he will “act as the student voice of the NAHB on campus and push residential programs and the NAHB Student Chapter with other students.”
Gary Garczynski, endowment chairman and 2002 NAHB president said he was proud of the work DeHaan and Stanley accomplished during their internship. “They are both excited about working in our industry and over the summer they took advantage of a great opportunity with this internship to learn more about housing.”
“By supporting programs like this internship HELP, the National Housing Endowment is investing in the future generation of home builders,” he said.
DeHaan and Stanley will report on their internship experiences to endowment trustees during the 2009 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas in January.
 More Endowment Scholarship Programs
The endowment administers 12 residential construction management scholarships and awards more than $350,000 each year to students pursuing careers in residential construction and related fields.
For more information about endowment scholarship programs and the HELP grant initiative, visit the endowment's Web site at www.nationalhousingendowment.org.
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