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Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan is a senior with a major in Construction Management and a minor in business administration.

Throughout these next few months, I will be sharing with you what it is like to be an out-of-state student finishing up my last semester here at CSU as I prepare myself to enter into the "real world."

January 15, 2009 - Farewell CSU

Hello fellow Rammies! Welcome back for the Spring 2009 semester. For those of you who have been in hibernation for the last couple months, spring is around the corner. The time of the year is nearing when the weather begins to warm, shorts replace jeans, sandals replace your winter boots (or Uggs), and most importantly all students are faced with the never ending battle in Fort Collins: deciding whether to go to class or take advantage of the weather and do something fun! Regardless of how many credit hours I took throughout my time at CSU, it never seemed to fail—spring semester was always a more challenging time to focus on school.

This year I will be faced with many new challenges. No, not with my classes, where to go on Thursday nights, or what to cook for dinner (PBJ, Ramen Noodles, Qdoba or Chipotle). The challenges I will face will come from the real world. Yes, believe it or not, I graduated and am currently a CSU alum and couldn’t be more proud. After four and a half years in Fort Collins, my time in paradise ended Dec. 19 as I crossed the stage to receive my diploma with my fellow graduates of the Construction Management department. One thing my teachers left out over my time at CSU was how hard it was going to be to leave the place I’ve called home for several years. CSU has provided me with many ups and downs, and throughout all of these times I have learned a lot of lessons that I will never forget. I’ve learned so much in the class room, and even more outside. The people I have met are truly some of the most interesting and genuine people I will ever meet in my entire life. The teachers, counselors, TAs, and everyone at CSU who had an impact on my life—as well as roommates, friends and my girlfriend--are going to be missed tremendously, but I assure you I will be in touch. And, the nice part about graduating in December is that I have plenty of options as far as who I will be staying with when I come back out to visit in spring!

Two weeks ago, after spending the holidays with my family and girlfriend, I began my career as an engineer with Turner Construction, one of the world’s top construction firms. I will be working for the Chicago Business Unit, located in the heart of downtown where our Michigan Avenue office overlooks Lake Michigan. I will be working in the office building—wearing a suit and tie—until late summer when I will be moved to the Dirksen Federal Building as construction begins on the Chicago Courthouse. Without going into too much detail with this project, I just want to say I am proud to be working for Turner Construction and couldn’t be happier with where I am at!

Colorado State University has provided me with so many opportunities in my life. If it wasn’t for CSU, I would not be where I am at today and would not have as many amazing friends as I have. I thank you CSU for everything you have given me, especially all of the good times had in Fort Collins!

Have a great start to the spring semester! Keep it funky!

November 4, 2008

Another fall semester is upon us. The leaves start falling, the temperature begins to mellow out, and one major event separates this semester from the previous three fall semester — Election Day 2008! And yes, I just dropped my vote in the ballot box. I was bummed all weekend I did not have the opportunity to vote early last week. Coming into the student center today, I had expected hour-long waits to cast my vote, but the lines were nonexistent. Either they were good at moving people through the North Ballroom of the LSC or voter turn out was light. Either way, I got to voice my opinion on who will be our president the next four years; and, regardless of who wins, I did what I could and voted. Now enough talk of politics. I feel like that's all I have heard about for the last six months.

For all of you out there who missed the memo, this past weekend was Halloween, and it was the last Halloween weekend of my college career. My weekend began with a trip to Old Town and the bars were hoppin' all night long. Everyone was dressed up. I think I saw everything from Dorothy to Tom Cruise, and I even got to meet Michael Phelps and his swim team at Zydecos. Oh yeah, and I also saw an 8-foot Jolly Green Giant. This was nothing out of the ordinary on Halloween night.

Friday night was followed by a long day of tailgating up until the grudge match between CSU and BYU at Hughes Stadium. Although CSU lost to BYU 45-42 in the final minutes of the game, my friends and I, along with every other student at the game, were on the edge of our seats the whole time. Aside from a disappointing loss, I also did not get to rush the field and complete a college goal of mine. Regardless of the outcome of the game, or whether or not I got to rush the field, Steve Fairchild's Rams are a fun football team to watch this year. I truly believe the Rams will be a top contender in years to come. How about the performance by running back Gartrell Johnson, averaging 5.7 yards a rush with 102 total yards, and chest bumping Joey Porter (Miami Dolphins linebacker and CSU graduate) to wrap up the Ram's last scoring drive? You can't beat it. That play finished the Ram's scoring for the night and was the conclusion to a very athletic and exciting performance by the whole team.

October 12, 2008

My Internship Begins!

My parents were in town for the weekend at the beginning of October and I had one of the best weekends of the semester. We started the weekend off at the Rio and Lucky Joe's in Old Town Friday night, followed by a day of tailgating at the game Saturday, and then wrapped up the weekend on Sunday. And by wrap up, I mean kicked-off Homecoming Week 2008 with the musical performance by Three Six Mafia and Lupe Fiasco! After reading the Collegian this past week and looking back at some of the Homecoming concerts over the years, it amazes me ... I mean how many schools across the country can say the Rolling Stones performed at their stadium? Or U2? Not many, and CSU continued the tradition this year with yet another amazing Homecoming Concert.

Weeks like this past one make it very hard to think about graduating in a couple months, and with the thought of the "real world" approaching me, I want to talk a little bit about my experience this past summer and how CSU has prepared me for my future endeavors.

One of the requirements in the Construction Management program here at CSU is that students must complete an internship prior to graduating. Students have the option of completing either a three-month or six-month internship. Students who choose the three-month option also have to have completed 500 hours of work experience prior to beginning their internship. I chose the three-month and completed mine this past summer from May to August 2008. As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I completed my internship with Turner Construction and worked in Chicago. Although Turner has many offices around the country, I chose to work in Chicago to be home and close to my family. The project I interned on was the Art Institute of Chicago — The Modern Wing. One of the unique attractions to a building like this is that The Modern Wing will be a piece of Chicago for many years to come, and will be seen by people from all over the world with many different backgrounds and cultures. I can't stress enough how lucky I was to be part of such a project with a company like Turner.

My first day had arrived and my alarm was going off. It was 4:30 a.m. I remember thinking to myself, "Wow it's weird to be waking up at 4:30 instead of just getting home," but it was time to begin my internship. After almost falling asleep in the shower, a bowl of cereal, and a bottle of water, my dad dropped me off at the train station. (I want to take this time to thank my dad for 3 months of driving me to the train station at 5:00 a.m.) Thanks for being there, Dad! Although it was May, I don't care what month it is, it's generally cold outside at 5 a.m. After waiting for the train for 15 minutes with my fellow victims of corporate America, I finally got on the train and began the fight to stay awake for the hour-long ride. For any of you who have rode a train before, you know what I am talking about when I say it's hard to get comfortable when you're 6 feet-4 inches tall and your knees might as well be jammed into your chest because the seat in front of you is so close you have no leg room. Regardless of how pleasant the train ride was, I finally arrived at Union Station in Chicago, located between Adams and Jackson boulevards. Now my 11 block hike to work began. The walk to The Modern Wing — located on the corner of Monroe and Columbus Streets just about two blocks west of Lake Shore Drive — provided me with a quick rundown of Chicago's genius architecture. I remember walking through downtown and thinking to myself "This is it!" I couldn't believe had I finally made it. After weeks of interviews, career fairs, and sleepless nights, I had made it, and my internship was finally here! Normally at 6:15 a.m. I'm not the happiest person (any of you who know me probably know this, especially my dad), but that day I had a smile on my face.

September 7, 2008

Welcome back fellow Rammies!

Having spent this last semester in Chicago completing my internship with Turner Construction, I will be discussing what my experience was like, how I managed to maintain a work-life balance, and also how this great institution has helped shape me into the person I am today while preparing me for the rest of my life!

After having been a student here at CSU for four years (yes, I am a SUPER senior), I would be the first to attest that there are many out-of-state students here — especially Chicago. I would be the first to say the term Chicago is thrown around very loosely here at CSU. Whether you are from Naperville, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, maybe even down South in Illinois' capital, Springfield — chances are you tell everyone you are from "Chicago." I am from the suburb of Orland Park, located about 25 miles southwest of the city, and referred to as the Southside. Orland Park has a population of around 60,000 and in 2006 was voted "45th Best Place to Live In America" by Money magazine. Conveniently, that same year Fort Collins was ranked the No. 1 best place to live. Growing up in such an amazing town really made it hard for me to leave not only the city behind, but more importantly my friends and especially my amazing family.

When the time came to choose which college I would attend, it was very tough, not only on myself, but my family as well. Having grown up with two younger brothers and a younger sister, leaving home almost seemed out of question. But after visiting Colorado for the first time my senior year with my father, and seeing this University first hand, we both knew I would be a fool not to go here! I remember sitting in a restaurant in Old Town discussing school with my father and picturing myself going here, and thinking all of the opportunities it would open up for me from there. I can honestly say that decision will probably be one of the toughest, but one of the most rewarding choices I have ever made.

Follow me in my blog throughout these next few months as I continue to discuss my experience here at CSU, my internship this past summer, and how I spend my time when I am not studying!

For now, it is time to get back to my studies, while I watch the season opener for the Chicago Bears, and support not only Da Bears, but also Caleb Hanie (CSU's former quarterback) as he competes for the starting job at quarterback!

Check back soon as I discuss my first taste of the infamous "real world!"