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CI Student Days

Reston, Virginia | –

Prospective Students

CI Student Days: Build What’s Next

What is CI Student Days?

Think less lecture hall, more real-world challenge.

CI Student Days brings together engineering students from across the country for an immersive heavy civil construction experience. You’ll form a team, work alongside industry professionals, and take on a real-world project challenge, developing a bid package that includes cost estimates, project schedules, and a final presentation.

Along the way, you’ll get out of the classroom and into the field, connect with professionals and industry leaders, sharpen your technical and professional skills, and make connections that can last well beyond the event.

You’ll learn. You’ll compete. You’ll network. You’ll probably lose some sleep. And you’ll have a lot of fun doing it!

What Will Your Time Look Like?

Day 0 | The Pre-Game: Arrive • Check In • Connect

Day 1 | The Kickoff: Meet • Learn • Get Ready

Day 2 | The Grind: Build Skills • Make Connections • Get to Work

Day 3 | The Real Deal: Explore • Experience • Think Big

Day 4 | The Show: Prep • Present • Take a Break & Explore

Day 5 | The Victory Lap: Celebrate • Stay Connected • Take Your Next Step

View Your Quick-Glance Experience Guide (PDF)

What Will You Walk Away With?

  • Real experience: Build something you can actually talk about in your next interview.
  • Industry connections: Meet the people who could become your mentors, colleagues, or future employers.
  • Career confidence: Practice communicating, presenting, estimating, scheduling, and solving problems under pressure.
  • A national network: Meet students and professionals from across the country and stay connected long after Student Days.
  • A story to tell: Because “I went to a conference” doesn't quite hit the same as “I helped my team develop and present a bid for a real-world heavy civil project.”

This Isn't Your Average Student Event

Here is what you can look forward to:

  • Find your team: Work alongside students from across the country. Bring your strengths, learn from each other, and figure out how to turn a group of individuals into a team.
  • Get real-world experience: Take on a heavy civil project challenge and build an actual bid package — from estimating and scheduling to technical writing and presentation.
  • Meet the people in the Industry: Connect with Young Professionals, contractors, engineers, recruiters, and industry leaders. Ask questions, swap stories, and start building your professional network before you even graduate.
  • Get out of the classroom: Tour a real project site, see construction happening in the field, and experience the industry up close. This is engineering beyond the textbook.
  • Challenge yourself: Early mornings. Late nights. Tight deadlines. Big ideas. Student Days pushes you to think, collaborate, problem-solve, and see what you're capable of.
  •  Leave with more than you came with: New skills. New connections. A stronger résumé. A better understanding of the industry. And a whole lot of stories to take home.

Don't Take Our Word For It 

Ayana

"This experience challenged me in ways I didn’t expect and gave me the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone while learning what it really takes to develop and present a construction project proposal."

— Ayana Asanova, CI Student Days 2026 Participant

Gustavo

"My biggest takeaway from Student Days was the people. I came into this competition without knowing most of my teammates and left Kansas City with a team I couldn't be prouder of."

— Gustavo Nigaglioni, CI Student Days 2026 Participant

Leona

"CI Student Days was more than a competition — it was an opportunity to learn, lead, collaborate, and grow. This experience has truly been a blessing, and I am excited to carry these lessons forward into my career."

— Leona Peters, CI Student Days 2026 Participant

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