Five FIU alumni – Oscar Morejon, Armando Diaz, Leonardo Rubio, David Gonzalez and Jorge Palancar – are part of one of the biggest construction projects in Downtown Miami.
MET 3 is a multi-phased commercial construction project that began in December 2012. The building consists of a ground-level Whole Foods Market; a 12-story parking garage; and a 33-story, 462-unit residential apartment building.
Morejon, who previously interned at Suffolk Construction during the construction of the garage, is now assistant superintendent of the project. Morejon earned his degree in 2013 and says his internship “paved a road to success, not only with the company, but with FIU.” It gave him the opportunity to experience the course material hands-on, which gave him an edge in the classroom.
During his internship, he also participated in the Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Management Competition, where the top universities compete to create the best virtual construction project. FIU came in first place in the 2014 competition out of 19 colleges and universities that participated.
Morejon also connected with important mentors. He says their success and willingness to increase his overall knowledge in the construction industry helped him to succeed.
“Being involved in a project with a group of hard working and dedicated FIU alumni has made me feel that we all need to do our best to showcase what the FIU Construction Management program has to offer,”Assistant Superintendent Leonardo Rubio says.
Jorge Palancar – project engineer who, like Morejon, interned prior to officially joining the company – says “theoretical knowledge combined with practical experience is the perfect formula for success,” which, according to him, is exactly what FIU gave him.
“Watching my brothers come out of the same institution with the same strengths and preparation gave me confidence to trust myself,” says Assistant Superintendent David Gonzalez MA ’11.
“Seeing all FIU graduates drive a project simply shows the greatness of FIU’s mission: create ready, successful construction managers.”
Morejon adds, “FIU is making a giant statement in Miami and across the United States with their Construction Management Program.”
– Alexandra Rodriguez-Carhartt
This story originally appeared on news.fiu.edu.