Student Focus
A world of opportunity
Caileen Nutter believes that "being
involved is a way of exploring other forms of learning." The University
of Maine senior political science major from North Berwick, Maine, has
spent her undergraduate years pursuing as many experiential learning
opportunities as possible — all while maintaining a nearly straight-A
grade point average as an honors student working to reach her long-held
goal of attending law school.
On campus, Nutter is involved in student government, Chi Omega sorority
and academic honor societies. As a sophomore, she studied at Cambridge
University in the United Kingdom.
Last spring, Nutter was selected to participate in UMaine's competitive
Congressional Internship Program. She was an intern in the press office
of Sen. Susan Collins in Washington, D.C. Nutter ultimately assumed the
role of deputy press secretary for Collins until the November elections.
"This has been such an exciting experience and great educational
opportunity — it's opened up a whole new world for me. Working for Sen.
Collins and helping the people of Maine have made me realize just how
much I want a career that makes a difference," Nutter says.
Nutter came to UMaine in 1999 on an Osher Scholarship, an award of
$6,000 per year for four years. The scholarship is awarded based on
academic achievement, community involvement and financial need.
Following law school, Nutter says she will either make her career in the
judiciary or in politics.
"UMaine has helped me to glean the most from my education by encouraging
me to pursue diverse and exciting opportunities," she says.
Under construction
If there is a boot camp for people who manage large construction
projects in Maine, Matt Hebert has found it.
Hebert has helped to run pipes in the heat and humidity above a
papermaking machine in Rumford, scheduled deliveries of lumber and steel
for a hydroelectric project in Winslow, and tracked finances and
coordinated suppliers for a new Swan's Island ferry pier in Bass Harbor.
He combined courses in the UMaine Construction Management Technology (CMT)
Program with a summer job at Cianbro Corp., of Pittsfield, Maine's
largest construction firm.
The experience has given Hebert an appreciation for the teamwork
required in projects ranging from a factory upgrade to a new skyscraper.
"There is more than one right solution to a problem in the construction
industry. The CMT Program has given me the tools to adapt to any
company's approach. But the people who really make it all happen are the
pipe fitters, bricklayers and others on the front lines. You have to
know how management decisions affect them," says Hebert.
Hebert received a CMT bachelor's degree with a business minor in
December. The combination of work experience with rigorous courses and
national academic competition has prepared him to take advantage of an
industry trend toward highly trained project managers.
"I love a challenge, and this program has given me the tools to apply
the right solutions to every step of the construction process," says
Hebert, a native of Oakland, Maine.
The CMT Program was established in 1988 under the guidance of Chuck
Gould, who retired in 2001 but continues to advise students. Today, Knud
Hermansen, professor of civil engineering technology, runs the program,
which has 111 students taking courses in engineering, business,
information management and law. The program's 12-member industrial
advisory committee includes representatives of some of the state's
largest construction firms.
