Internships at Cives Corporation
Get Hands On
Cives offers hands-on internship programs for college and technical school students who want to build a career in structural steel. Explore our programs below, then apply to the division location where you would like to intern.
Project Engineering Internship
If you are a college student interested in learning how structural steel projects come together, the Cives Project Engineering Internship Program offers a practical, hands-on introduction to our business. Throughout the internship, students gain exposure to the key steps involved in turning an architect’s vision into a completed steel structure. Through time spent with drafting, shop operations, field personnel, engineering, estimating, and project management, interns will develop a broad understanding of how Cives plans, details, fabricates, delivers, erects, and manages structural steel projects.
What You’ll Experience
Drafting
Interns spend time learning how design documents are developed into fabrication drawings and how accurate detailing supports a successful project. This rotation introduces Cives’ standard detailing practices, shop drawing coordination, drawing-processing procedures, and the important connection between drafting, engineering, fabrication, and project management.
Shop
The shop experience gives interns a closer look at the fabrication process and the people, equipment, and coordination that make it possible. Interns may observe or participate in activities such as handling raw steel, CNC machine operation, layout and fitting, paint preparation, quality assurance, and shipping. This hands-on exposure helps students better understand the work that takes place before steel reaches the job site.
Field
Field visits introduce interns to active construction environments and the coordination required to safely and successfully erect structural steel. Traveling with a Project Manager or Project Engineer, interns may visit job sites, meet field personnel, and see how fabrication, delivery, communication, and erection work together in real time.
Engineering
During the internship, students gain exposure to the engineering side of structural steel fabrication, including the connection design requirements that support safe and efficient construction. Interns have the opportunity to learn from experienced Cives engineers and develop a better understanding of how technical design decisions support the overall success of a project.
Estimating
The estimating experience gives interns an introduction to how projects are reviewed, priced, and prepared for bid. Students may learn about project specifications, material take-offs, labor considerations, subcontractor pricing, and the role estimating plays in helping Cives pursue work accurately and competitively.
Project Management
As interns gain exposure to each area of the business, they also spend time working alongside a Project Manager or Project Engineer on active project responsibilities. This experience helps bring the internship together by showing how communication, scheduling, coordination, cost awareness, and problem solving all support successful project execution.
Building a Foundation for the Future
The Cives Project Engineering Internship Program is designed to help students explore career opportunities in structural steel while building practical knowledge and professional confidence. For students who are interested in returning to Cives after graduation, the internship can serve as a meaningful first step toward a full-time career in project management, estimating, engineering, sales, or another area of the company.
Welding Internship
If you are a technical college student interested in gaining real work welding experience while pursuing your education, the Cives Welding Internship Program offers a practical, hands-on introduction to our business. Throughout the internship, students gain exposure to several key skills required to succeed as a steel structure fabricator. Through time spent with drafting personnel, production trainers, and shop supervision, interns will develop a greater understanding of how shop drawing proficiency and fabrication expertise drive Cives’ success as one of the country’s premium structural steel fabrication companies.
What You’ll Experience
Drafting
Interns will be afforded the opportunity to learn from in-house drafting professionals how to effectively read shop drawings, including dimensioning, section cuts, weld symbols, and material identification. Along the way, students will be introduced to AISC and AWS requirements, as well as Cives’ internal detailing standards.
Shop
The shop experience will serve as the primary focus of the internship and will provide the intern with a closer look at the fabrication process and the people, equipment, and coordination that make it possible. Interns will be trained on hazard identification and proper safety techniques prior to actively participating in common fabrication tasks such as handling raw steel, beam layout and fitting, paint preparation, and production welding.
This hands-on exposure will provide the student with a better understanding of the work required to produce a quality product in a safety-focused fabrication environment.
Building a Foundation for the Future
The Cives Welding Internship Program is designed to help students explore career opportunities in structural steel while building practical knowledge and professional confidence. For students who are interested in returning to Cives after graduation, the internship can serve as a meaningful first step toward a full-time career with the company.