CIM Students Intern with Tennessee Concrete Association

This summer, several MTSU students completed internships with the Tennessee Concrete Association in Nashville, Tennessee. All participating students agreed that experience was a very positive one. The following are some of their own comments:

Josh Willis

Since I have been at TCA, I have had a chance to work with concrete in many different ways. Just this summer we worked with a slab (driveway), pervious concrete (parking lot), flowable fill, and ICF's. I learned about all of these types of concrete in class, but TCA provided me with a great "hands on" work experience that really helped me visualize, apply, and better understand what I have learned in class. 

Brian Anderson

The TCA internship has proven to be very educational and help me towards my future goals.

Jason Casteel

My internship with the Tennessee Concrete Association was one of the most influential and educational experiences in my life. TCA's intern program granted me the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, while networking with many concrete industry professionals. I would like to thank Alan Sparkman and the entire TCA staff for allowing me to be a part of their summer intern program. All the industry professionals I met throughout the summer will play a significant role in my future. The knowledge and hands-on experience I acquired will serve as a solid foundation for building and advancing my career in the concrete industry. 

Scott Shaver

Alan Sparkman has mentored me in concrete. I have experienced pouring, laying, mixing, and testing different forms of concrete. The best experience of my internship was getting up early and performing a long day of hard labor. Experiencing what the labor force deals with every day, gives a different view of the industry. Everything I have learned within the program has come to life with my internship. This has sparked my interest in concrete to a new level. My internship at TCA has influenced me to study what’s going on in the industry today. Everything from the classroom has come to life under a mentor. The TCA is on the leading edge of pervious concrete. Being a part of this is an experience that cannot be adapted to a classroom setting.

Tiffany Sirikoun

I had limited knowledge and absolutely no experience in the concrete industry, but TCA has given me the opportunity to practice what I've learned in the classroom. Not only did I receive hands-on experience, but I also met and networked with influential people and learned about different trades in the industry. I loved interning at TCA. It is an educational and enjoyable experience.

For more information on TCA, Visit http://www.tnconcrete.org/tnconcrete/.