CoT Home > BCM > Current Students > BCMentors
BCMentors
Established in 2008 BCMentors began as a small group of underrepresented students in the program who wanted to reach out to other students and help them adjust to the department, the university, the community and the industry. Today, we are an inclusive student group that strives to help all Building Construction Management students succeed, managed by a core team of student mentors.
Meet the Leadership Team!
Kenneth Beckwith coordinates BCMentors (kbeckwith@purdue.edu) along with Holly Collins our senior consultant (hcollins@purdue.edu) You can learn more about Kenneth and Holly below in Talk to a Mentor.
The Academic Committee is responsible for orchestrating weekly study tables where upperclass BCM students provide any BCM student assistance with their courses. We host exam reviews for key BCM courses such as, BCM 17500, BCM 11200 and BCM 28500.
The Social Committee organizes and schedules activities outside of the classroom for BCMentor members to participate in. The community service project for BCMentors is Almost Home Humane Society and our social committee manages the project.
Intramural Dodgeball, faculty/student volleyball and construction related events, such as attending the ISA (Indiana Subcontractors Association) Trade Show were examples of activities from last year. We are open to new ideas and suggestions and new members, please contact Kenneth or Holly if you would like to work with the Social Committee.
The Recruiting Committee works closely with the BCMentors advisor to continue to spread the word about our program. These students are available to work with faculty on presentations to visiting groups and they are available to travel and present to high school/middle school classes the opportunities available in BCM. Please contact Dawn Lamb if you are interested in recruiting for BCM.
Want to be a part of BCMentors? Click here to join us!
Like us on Facebook! 
Talk to a Mentor
Talk to a BCM student mentor!
Want to find out what it's like to be a BCM student at Purdue University? Read what these students have to say — you can even e-mail them for more information.
Name: Kenneth Beckwith, BCMentors Coordinator
Hometown: Kokomo, IN
High School: Kokomo High School
Interest: Camping, cycling, construction
Classification: Senior, May 2014 Grad
What attracted you to Purdue and Building Construction Management? Why did you choose it over other schools?
Originally I was interested in Purdue because it wasn’t too far from home and my sister was going there. Also they had the technical majors I was interested in. I applied for the construction engineering program and didn’t get in, so I applied for BCM and was accepted. Now that I am in BCM I am so happy I didn’t choose the CEM major because BCM is much more hands on and focused on practical learning instead of theoretical. I chose Purdue over the other schools because having Purdue University on your resume gives you an upper hand in the industry, as Purdue’s BCM program is very well known in the construction industry.
What outside activities are you in? Are you an officer in any of these organizations?
Currently I am in BCMentors and I am the co-lead of this organization. I am also on the Construction Leadership Council representing BCMentors. Finally I am in Associated General Contractors and I was the philanthropy chair until I became an officer in BCMentors.
What internship opportunities have you had?
My first summer I worked for an electrical contractor, Gaylor, in Indianapolis. This last summer I worked for DPR Construction, a general contractor, in Washington DC. These internships are great experiences.
What would be your "dream job"?
My dream job would be working for a general contractor as a Superintendent running the job.
Word of advice for prospective students:
My advice would be to get involved with a couple of the organizations in BCM. These organizations look great on your resume and help you get awesome internships. These internships will than help you gain experience in the construction industry, network with future employers, and help you decide what you want to do in construction.
Name: Holly Collins, BCMentors Senior Consultant
Hometown: Lafayette, IN
High School: Jefferson High School
Interest: Electrical and Mechanical Construction
Classification: Senior, December 2013 Grad
What attracted you to Purdue and Building Construction Management? Why did you choose it over other schools? The BCM department has wonderful staff, faculty, and students. I chose Purdue because of how close it was to my family and for how well known our program is.
What do you like about BCM? I like the faculty and the students the most. I feel like I have a lot of friends and the faculty truly care. I like that BCM has so many clubs and organizations so I can enhance my leadership skills and meet new people.
What outside activities are you in? Are you an officer in any of these organizations?
BCMentors – Co-Leader
National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) – member and Green Energy Challenge Competition team member
Women in Construction Management (WICM) – member
Sigma Lambda Chi National Honors Fraternity – member
Women in Technology (WIT) – Community Service Chairman
Windsor Hall Club – Warren Hall President
College of Technology Ambassador
What internship opportunities have you had?
For the past two summers I have worked with Gaylor, an electrical contractor based out of Noblesville, Indiana. There I have been in the field and have done many estimating projects for them.
What would be your "dream job"?
My dream job is to be an electrical estimator.
Word of advice for prospective students:
My advice for future students is if it feels like home then it’s a right fit. You need to find somewhere where you know you will be happy because only then will you put forth your best effort. Plus you need to find what you love to do because then you will also put forth your best effort. When you find what you love and find the right place for you, never feel that you can’t go to a classmate or professor for help. People are always willing to help you.
Name: Adam Ashouri
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
High School: Carroll High School (Fort Wayne)
Interest: Travel, Hunting, Sports
Classification: Senior, May 2014 Grad
What attracted you to Purdue and Building Construction Management? Why did you choose it over other schools?
I am the 17th person in my family to attend Purdue University and I grew up bleeding Black and Gold. I was attracted to BCM from the prospect of having a career in which no day is the same. Every day there will always new problems to solve and new challenges to conquer.
What do you like about BCM?
The amount of individual attention I receive from the faculty and staff. All of the professors are there for you and are constantly devoted to your success.
What outside activities are you in? Are you an officer in any of these organizations?
Associated General Contractors of America, BCMentors, Ducks Unlimited.
What internship opportunities have you had?
Working for a General Contractor in Indianapolis, Working for and International Contractor/Consultant Firm in Saudi Arabia
What would be your "dream job"?
A Supervisory Superintendent of multiple large projects.
Word of advice for prospective students:
Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and cannot accomplish. If you want something bad enough and you are willing to work for it, you can and will accomplish it.
Name: Derrek Staley
Hometown: Butler, IN
High School: Eastside High school
Interest: Construction/ Real Estate Development For free time: Water sports, snow sports, golf and playing guitar
Classification: May 2014 Grad
What attracted you to Purdue and Building Construction Management? Why did you choose it over other schools?
I didn’t know it at the time but Purdue is the one of the most elite schools in the country and its BCM program is one of the best in the nations. I wanted to stay in state and go to a big ten school so the choice was easy.
What do you like about BCM?
The professors are very passionate about what they do and helping students succeed. Also BCM is a smaller department compared to other majors such as engineering, so we get the best of both worlds; a small community-like feeling within the major with all of the advantages and opportunities of a big ten school like Purdue.
What outside activities are you in? Are you an officer in any of these organizations?
I am in Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, I’m the Vice President. I’m also in NAHB and am on the competition team where we traveled to Las Vegas to compete.
What internship opportunities have you had?
I worked in Austin, Texas with SpawGlass last summer and was on a major district-wide renovation on the local elementary, middle schools and high schools. This summer I accepted a job with Pepper Construction in Chicago.
What would be your "dream job"?
My dream job would be to be able to work up through Project Manager into a CFO or Operations executive of a large construction company or an executive of a large developer.
Word of advice for prospective students:
All of the opportunities that I’ve had came from choosing Purdue BCM but to really be successful you need be involved and take on a leadership role.
Name: Michael Mattern
Hometown: Attica, IN
High School: Attica Jr. Sr. High School
Interest: Snowboarding and basketball
Classification: Senior, May 2014 Grad
What attracted you to Purdue and Building Construction Management? Why did you choose it over other schools?
A construction team works a lot like a sports team. I loved leading teams in high school/ love construction so naturally BCM was the place for me. Purdue has one of the best BCM programs out there. It just happens to be in my backyard as well, I live only 20 miles away from West Lafayette.
What do you like about BCM?
The ability to be involved with the construction community and the course content BCM offers is amazing.
What outside activities are you in? Are you an officer in any of these organizations?
I am an officer in Associated General Contractors (A.G.C.) I live in a cooperative with 52 other guys.
What internship opportunities have you had?
I interned with:
- A small fine carpentry company involving kitchen and bathroom remodels.
- FTR International in Saudi Arabia doing quality control and recording punch list items.
- Walsh Construction in Chicago assisting a Project Manager in day to day activities on a bridge demolition project.
What would be your "dream job"?
I want to work as a senior superintendent on multi-million dollar jobs in industrial or commercial construction.
Word of advice for prospective students:
This major is applicable for many jobs in the construction industry. Even if you don’t know much about construction our Professors will teach you the abilities to manage a job in the most efficient manner.
Name: Stephanie Crawford
Hometown: Garrett, IN
High School: Garrett High School
Interest: OlS Minor
Classification: Senior, May 2014 Grad
What attracted you to Purdue and Building Construction Management? Why did you choose it over other schools?
I was attracted to Purdue for its’ outstanding reputation in the state of Indiana. I found it to be the best in state option, and best value of education. By attending Purdue, I was putting myself in a position to successfully achieve my career goals.
What do you like about BCM?
I like the people. This is a people industry and the relationships I’ve made with my peers in the department will carry over into my professional career
What outside activities are you in? Are you an officer in any of these organizations?
Women in Construction Management: Vice President
BCMentors: Recruitment Coordinator
Zeta Tau Alpha: Active Member
What internship opportunities have you had?
I worked as an “Inspection Intern” for American Structurerpoint Inc. for two summers. One summer I spent in Shipshewana, IN and the second in Fishers, IN. This upcoming summer I am working as a “Project Management Intern” with Clune Construction Company in Chicago, IL. There are many great internship opportunities through the BCM department.
Word of advice for prospective students:
Don’t be afraid to explore you’re interests. Ask questions. Get involved. Have Fun!
BCMentors advisor: Dawn Lamb, Student and Industry Outreach Specialist
If you need further information, please contact Dawn. (765)496-1077
