Building a Future in Construction Management
Widener’s construction management program gives Semaj Smith-Barber ’28 the tools to build his career in construction management through industry connections, mentorships, and a supportive community.
- School of Engineering
Before Semaj Smith-Barber ‘28 stepped foot on Widener’s campus, he knew he wanted to be in construction management.
An entrepreneurship class in high school drew Semaj to the industry. The field’s strong job outlook, hands-on nature, and four-year degree requirement influenced his college search.
As the Philadelphia native looked at local institutions, Widener stood out for its reputation, location, and recently launched construction management undergraduate program in the School of Engineering.
“I saw that Widener was starting a construction management program. They were building something new,” said Semaj.
An early tour on campus made Semaj feel a deep sense of belonging and purpose. He knew Widener’s newest program was for him.
“At Widener, I felt like it was going to be more family oriented. And that's exactly how it was,” Semaj said.
From day one, Semaj gained access to real-word construction management through site visits.
From construction of a pediatric research facility and local middle school to geothermal heating installation and interstate highway infrastructure, Widener’s construction management program offers Semaj a chance to see some of the region’s biggest projects come to life.
“It is really about immersing yourself into like the world of construction and not just sitting in the classroom all day,” Semaj said.
Each semester, Semaj and his classmates visit high-profile projects, which allows them to apply classroom knowledge to actual projects enhancing his understanding of concepts like framing and project sequencing.
You can take what you learned in the classroom and then apply that to the real world. If we're going over a lecture and we're talking about framing and then we go out to a job and they're doing a metal or wood framing, you can see how.” —Semaj Smith-Barber
With each site visit, Semaj was not only watching concepts and theories in real-time, but he was meeting and connecting with industry leaders.
“It's not just about your résumé, but it's also about creating those relationships,” said Semaj.
Site visits, on-campus events, and collaborations with Widener alumni all fuel opportunities to foster professional networks and shape career paths.
“A lot of alumni come in and speak with us and tell us about like the different paths you could take in construction because everybody doesn't want to just build a house or everyone doesn't want to build a hospital,” said Semaj. “For me, I'm more interested in like the heavy civil side of construction.”
A Widener-made connection with an engineering alumni proved pivotal for Semaj as it secured his first internship experience.
In summer 2025, Semaj interned with GFT, an engineering firm that specializes in water, power, transportation, and building infrastructure.
He secured the internship by networking Kevin Brown ’09 ‘14, an engineering graduate who spoke to Semaj’s class about his role as a construction inspector and consultant with GFT.
“He came in and spoke with our class, told what he does. I spoke with him and told him that I'm passionate about his field,” said Semaj.
Semaj joined a bridge rehabilitation project over a SEPTA rail line in Philadelphia, working alongside PennDOT inspectors. This experience taught him the importance of both technical skills and professional relationships in the industry.
“We literally just dove right into it,” said Semaj. “It was hard work from day one. We inspected and made sure everything was done right and wrote up reports. And it taught me a lot because it showed me that construction isn't just about what you can do. It's about who you know as well.”
