Left to Right – Dwight Graham, treasurer of Board of Directors, LaPorte County Habitat for Humanity; Robert Kennedy, PNC Construction Club vice president; Bob Long, executive director LaPorte County Habitat for Humanity

Members of the Purdue University North Central Construction Club will host a networking luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. in the Library-Student-Faculty Building.

The luncheon will bring the most successful general contractors, engineers, architects and builders in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland to the PNC campus to network with students earning degrees in Construction Engineering Management, Civil Engineering and Business Management.

This year the Construction Club is partnering with the La Porte County Habitat for Humanity to help raise funds for the Building Homes and Strengthening Families challenge which will help fund the cost to build the next Habitat for Humanity home in La Porte County.

The keynote speaker will be Bob Long, executive director of La Porte County Habitat for Humanity. A 2014 Construction Club networking event raised more than $2,000 in tax-deductible donations for the Club and for Habitat for Humanity. The event brought many professionals to PNC for the first time and provided an ideal opportunity for students and professionals to get together in an informal setting.

By speaking with the professionals, students are able to explore the many career options available to get a better idea of how they may apply their talents. Students learn what employers look for when hiring and the guests are able to answer questions and give their insight into the job market and the skills required for the jobs their companies offer.

Advance registration is required and can be completed at http://pnc-constructionclub.weebly.com/. Admission is free for Construction Club members, who must show a student ID at the door. PNC student admission is $10, with a student ID. Individual admission is $30 and business sponsors are $200, which includes a presentation table if requested.

Companies that have confirmed to attend are: Berglund Construction, Inc., Chesterton; DA Dodd, Inc., Rolling Prairie; Burling Builders, Chicago; NIES Engineering, Hammond; Powers and Sons Construction, Gary and Ziolkowski Construction, Inc., South Bend.

Companies may participate in the event by contacting Construction Club president Robert Kennedy at kenned64@pnc.edu or 219-878-3249.

“This luncheon will provide a unique opportunity for PNC students to meet with representatives from a number of established, well-known companies,” said Kennedy. “Some of the companies are interested in hiring students for internships and full-time positions. It is a great time to establish relationships.”

Kennedy himself has more than 10 years of experience in the field and has worked on a number of large projects. He is earning a PNC degree in Construction Engineering Management Technology to enhance his credentials and to further establish his career. He currently works for Powers and Sons Construction in Gary.

The Construction Club has a successful association with Habitat for Humanity. Earlier this year, Construction Club members and Powers & Sons worked together to collect and transport unused, spare materials from a completed Powers & Sons project to the Gary and Michigan City Habitat for Humanity ReStores.

Last year the club connected Habitat for Humanity with Continental Carpentry Components, a local roof and floor truss manufacturer, to provide roof and floor trusses for two recent habitat houses. Club members volunteer at recent house builds throughout the area.

Learn more about the luncheon and the PNC Construction Club at http://pnc-constructionclub.weebly.com/