Summer Associate (Summer 2027)

Location: Chicago, IL

At Clark, we build leaders—individuals who take ownership, rise to challenges, and deliver the Clark standard of excellence. Across the industry, Clark is known for exceptional performance and shaping communities through some of the most complex, high-profile projects being built today.

We empower you to take on significant responsibility early, backing your growth with extensive resources, mentorship, formal training, and a culture that challenges you to advance your career further. Here, the standard is higher. Our team doesn't just build landmark projects—we build the leaders who make them possible.

The Role

The Summer Associate Program is your opportunity to build a comprehensive understanding of the construction industry and our business.

As a summer associate, you will be fully embedded with a team on a jobsite or in a department, gaining hands-on experience across project management, field management, project development, and business operations.

Beyond your project work, you will become an integrated member of the Clark community through training and development opportunities. Build your network through social events and jobsite tours, and sharpen your skills with formal training sessions led by Clark experts.

Other cornerstones of the Summer Associate Program include

The Capstone Project: A team-based project that challenges you to develop innovative solutions for real-time business opportunities. You will present your findings directly to company leadership, gaining visibility and the chance to make a tangible impact.

The Passport Experience: A curated series of experiences designed to guide your summer journey. The Passport showcases the full breadth of Clark’s business, helps you establish meaningful connections across the company, and ensures you gain essential industry knowledge.

This immersive, full-time program runs for 8 -10 weeks and begins in late May or early June.

Responsibilities

Throughout the summer, you will be exposed to

Project Management: Working in project management gives you an understanding of the day-to-day and long-term business and financial management associated with construction projects.

Financial Management - Review gross billings, track change orders, and subcontractor requisitions

Document Control - Manage the submittals, RFI, and material tracking process

Trade Partner Success - Become a trusted advisor to our subcontractors to plan for a successful field installation

Field Management: Learn the intricacies of the building process, assist in site logistics, and ensure quality and safety on our jobsites.

Quality Control and Safety - Monitor tradeworkers with emphasis on the quality of work and safety

Project Schedule - Assist with schedule management and site logistics

Critical Thinking - Resolve unforeseen challenges within installation, schedule, and trade partner coordination

Project Development: Understand how we acquire new work, develop winning strategies, and build strong client relationships through budgeting, estimating, and purchasing

Budgeting - Review initial contract documents, solicit, and provide preliminary evaluations of subcontractor bids

Estimating - Perform quantity takeoffs, prepare the overall bid proposal, and quantify labor and material prices required for projects

Purchasing - Collaborate to execute subcontractor agreements, review the scope of work, and manage relationships with subcontractors

Business Operations: Explore the essential functions that keep our company running smoothly, gaining a holistic view of the Clark organization.

Basic Qualifications

Pursuing an undergraduate degree or equivalent, or a graduate degree

Interest and passion for the construction industry

What a Successful Candidate Looks Like

We look for individuals who embody these core principles

1. Enthusiasm & Drive: Be punctual and dedicated, staying until work is done. Arrive early for meetings and events. Be a proactive team player – ask how you can help and be present. Take initiative, represent the company professionally (dress, demeanor), and build trust with your team, clients, and stakeholders. Proactively seek ways to contribute to team success, and always maintain a positive attitude.

2. Delivery & Performance: Reliably meet the expectations of your role and commitments. Understand and follow Clark's standard procedures. Take on new responsibilities, dig into the details, and bring solutions to problems. Take ownership, be accountable, and demonstrate responsiveness with a sense of urgency.

3. Learning & Growth: Immerse yourself in Clark's culture, your team, and your community. Fulfill Clark Corporate University learning requirements. Be engaged, accountable, and self-directed in your learning – be curious! Continuously build your technical expertise and grow your business acumen.

The work environment and requirements described below are representative of those necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role.

The Physical Side of the Role: This is an active, hands-on role. You can expect to be on your feet frequently, navigating active job sites with uneven terrain, stairs, ladders, and hoists. The work is physically demanding and requires a full range of motion, including bending, kneeling, and reaching. You’ll need to be comfortable frequently lifting and carrying materials up to 25 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds. This role requires the ability to communicate effectively, as well as visual acuity for reading plans and inspecting work. The role does include desk time in the office that may require prolonged periods of sitting for tasks like computer work, document review, and meetings.

Your Work Environment: You’ll spend a significant amount of your time on active construction sites, which means being adaptable to all kinds of weather and moderate to loud noise levels, and comfortable in elevated or confined work areas with movin