Building More Than Structures: A Caldwell Fellow’s Summer in Construction

For Kaitlyn Gainey, Caldwell Class of 2026, this summer has been about more than learning the technical aspects of construction engineering. As a Project Engineer Intern with DPR Construction at the Novo Nordisk OFP Plant in Durham, she’s discovering how the leadership principles she’s developed as a Caldwell Fellow translate directly into success on the job site.

Authenticity as a Foundation

Gainey, who is studying Construction Engineering at NC State, credits her experience in the Caldwell Fellows Program with shaping her approach to professional relationships. “Being authentic changes your perception, it changes others’ perception of you, and it allows you to accomplish things you never thought possible,” she reflects.

Being authentic changes your perception, it changes others’ perception of you, and it allows you to accomplish things you never thought possible

This philosophy has proven essential in construction, an industry built on communication and trust. From her first day at DPR, Gainey prioritized meeting people and genuinely learning from them. Her authentic approach has helped her build trust and connect with everyone from fellow interns to subcontractors, recognizing that good relationships are fundamental to project success.

Embracing the Unexpected

Construction presents daily challenges that no classroom could prepare her for—issues with materials, time, logistics, costs and equipment arise daily. “No day has been the same and no day has gone according to the initial plan,” Gainey notes, describing an industry defined by changing schedules, costs, and personnel.

The Caldwell Fellows Program has equipped her with the tools to navigate this constant flux. Through exposure to diverse experiences and emphasis on reflection, adaptability, and authenticity, she’s learned to view unexpected changes as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. When problems arise onsite, she draws on these principles to communicate quickly and solve problems collaboratively under pressure.

Leadership Through Relationships and Joy

Gainey’s leadership approach centers on three key elements: tackling difficult challenges, building relationships, and finding joy in her work. She’s discovered that learning in construction happens through doing, and she welcomes situations that push her outside her comfort zone because they accelerate her growth.

Beyond the technical aspects of her role, Gainey has found meaningful ways to contribute to her community. She helped plan a community initiative event with the Boys and Girls Club through DPR, demonstrating how the Caldwell Fellows’ emphasis on service extends into professional settings. It was a fun day full of construction games and building benches with students from the Boys and Girls Club. 

A Moment of Excellence

The most memorable moment of Gainey’s summer came during the final days before substantial completion on a parking lot expansion project. Her team worked intensively on punch list items—the final details that ensure quality before project handover. Their dedication to excellence, from picking up cones to touching up tire marks in the asphalt, culminated in receiving a Zero Defects letter.

This recognition, which is difficult to obtain and requires exceptional attention to detail, represents more than just project success. It embodies the principles Gainey has internalized through the Caldwell Fellows Program: authenticity, hard work, and “thinking big” about what’s possible.

Growing Through Connection

Reflecting on her journey, Gainey emphasizes how the Caldwell Fellows Program has “motivated and inspired” her while making her time at NC State “even sweeter.” The program’s focus on authentic relationships and continuous learning has shaped not just her professional approach, but her personal growth as well.

Her advice to incoming Caldwell Fellows echoes the lessons she’s living this summer: “Making the most of your time in the Caldwell Fellows program depends on your willingness to grow, to step out of your comfort zone, and to meet new people.” She encourages them to take advantage of unique opportunities, learn from their accomplished peers, and remember to be present in each moment.

Making the most of your time in the Caldwell Fellows program depends on your willingness to grow, to step out of your comfort zone, and to meet new people.

As Gainey approaches her senior year, her summer experience at DPR Construction has reinforced the Caldwell Fellows’ core message: that authenticity, hard work, and big thinking can help you accomplish anything you set your mind to—whether you’re building relationships on a construction site or building the foundation for a meaningful career.