Interns Get Hands-On at Shimmick’s Annual Intern Rodeo

For more than 15 years, Shimmick’s Equipment Division has hosted one of the company’s most anticipated summer traditions: the Intern Rodeo. Held at Shimmick’s equipment yard in Tracy, California, the event gives interns a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the equipment, expertise, and teamwork that help bring infrastructure projects to life. This year’s rodeo welcomed 28 interns and drew more than 60 attendees overall, including operators, mechanics, mentors, company leaders, and vendor partners. 

The day began with introductions, a presentation, and a safety briefing before interns headed out into the yard to put their skills to the test. Guided by experienced operators and mechanics, participants rotated through a series of hands-on stations featuring cranes, forklifts, excavators, stick welding, and other heavy equipment. Friendly competition, timed challenges, and mini excavator games added to the excitement while giving interns the opportunity to experience equipment operation and maintenance activities for themselves.

While the challenges are designed to be fun, the rodeo serves a much greater purpose.

For many interns pursuing careers in engineering, construction management, and field operations, the rodeo offers a unique opportunity to see construction from a different perspective. It provides a deeper understanding of the expertise required to safely operate heavy equipment and highlights the important role operators play in bringing complex projects to life. The event was originally created to give interns hands-on exposure to construction equipment while connecting them with professionals from across the company, helping bridge the gap between engineering and field operations.

One intern reflected on the experience, saying:

“Seeing the work from the field perspective gave me a deeper appreciation for the skill, precision, and teamwork required to successfully deliver construction projects. Experiences like these help bridge the gap between engineering and field operations, making me a better field engineer and strengthening my understanding of the work our crews perform every day.”

The experience helps connect what interns are learning on project sites with project delivery by exposing them to the highly skilled work performed by operators and mechanics every day. By spending time alongside seasoned professionals, they gain a better understanding of the challenges field crews navigate and the coordination required to safely and successfully deliver work in the field.

After a morning of activities, interns gathered for an awards presentation recognizing top performances across the day’s challenges. The top five overall competitors received championship belt buckles. Thanks to the support of Shimmick’s vendor partners, participants also had the opportunity to take home prizes and giveaways, including YETI coolers, lunch boxes, Carhartt work bags, apparel, and company merchandise.

The event concluded with another longtime rodeo tradition: a barbecue prepared by Equipment Manager Danny Green and his wife. The gathering brought together interns, operators, mentors, and company leaders for an afternoon of conversation, mentorship, and relationship-building, giving interns an opportunity to connect with professionals from across the company.

A highlight of the afternoon came when Shimmick CEO Ural Yal, CFO Todd Yoder, and Vice President of Operations Trace Porter took their turn navigating the skid steer course, capping off the day with a little friendly competition and plenty of laughs. 

More than just a day of competition, the Intern Rodeo reflects Shimmick’s commitment to developing the next generation of construction professionals. By creating opportunities for hands-on learning, mentorship, leadership engagement, and cross-functional collaboration, the event helps interns better understand the people, skills, and teamwork that turn plans into reality.

For many participants, the experience leaves them with a new appreciation for the expertise behind every lift, weld, and piece of equipment on a jobsite, and for the dedicated professionals who help keep Shimmick projects moving forward.

Shimmick also extends its appreciation to vendor partners ISCO Industries, J.S. Cole Company, Reeve Trucking, Herc Rentals, and Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers for supporting the event through donated prizes and giveaways that helped make the day even more memorable for participants.

Thank you to the Equipment Division team, volunteers, vendor partners, mentors, and company leaders whose support continues to make this longstanding tradition possible and helps inspire the next generation of construction professionals.