{"id":44043,"date":"2026-04-13T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/?p=44043"},"modified":"2026-04-12T20:44:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T00:44:24","slug":"sinclairs-built-environment-week-offers-hands-on-projects-and-industry-connections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/tartan-news\/2026\/04\/13\/sinclairs-built-environment-week-offers-hands-on-projects-and-industry-connections\/","title":{"rendered":"Sinclair’s Built Environment Week offers hands-on projects and industry connections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sinclair College is hosting Built Environment Week from April 13\u201317, offering students a closer look at careers in construction, design and sustainability through hands-on experiences and industry connections.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Charlie Setterfield, Sinclair professor. <\/strong>CONTRIBUTED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The event highlights Sinclair\u2019s Built Environment Department, which includes five programs<\/a> centered on designing and constructing the spaces people rely on every day\u2014from homes and office buildings to roads and infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe built environment department includes five different programs\u2026things like houses, office buildings, roads, bridges and all the stuff that goes inside of those,\u201d said Charlie Setterfield, a professor in the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students in these programs often pursue careers in architecture, construction management, civil engineering, HVAC and sustainability\u2014fields that continue to grow<\/a> as demand increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the week\u2019s standout events is a bus trip to Columbus, Indiana, a city known for its concentration of buildings<\/a> designed by world-renowned architects. The trip offers students an affordable opportunity to explore unique architecture firsthand and gain inspiration outside the classroom, and it costs only $20 to attend, even if you are not planning to major in or do something in the field. Students can still attend. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Columbus, Indiana has been renowned for its architecture.<\/strong> ARTSY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Throughout the week, students can attend panel discussions, participate in hands-on activities and connect directly with industry professionals. According to Setterfield, these experiences are especially important in visual and design-based fields. \u201cGetting to see how people design things and experience things is a critical part of that\u2026[it] helps them see the world in new ways,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department also prioritizes building strong relationships with local organizations and employers. Faculty invest significant time developing partnerships that support internships, job placement and networking opportunities for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the industry evolves, Setterfield said the need for skilled workers is only increasing, especially as communities face housing and sustainability challenges. \u201cThere aren\u2019t going to be enough people to fill the need,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Built Environment department offers degrees in HVAC and construction management. <\/strong>STUDYHUB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For students considering the field, Setterfield encourages exploration before committing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo some job shadowing. Talk to people who are in the field already\u2026come to our job fair,\u201d he said. \u201cIf it is the job for you, it\u2019s a great way to help influence how the built environment gets constructed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also emphasized the lasting impact of the work. \u201cA lot of the buildings that we construct are going to be here for 80, 90 or 100 years,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s best to get it right the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacie Moore, reporter<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

See more from The Clarion:<\/p>\n\n\n