How NAHB's Student Chapter Helped Rising Star Make Career Change

Workforce Development
Published
Keynon Webb Portrait
Keynon Webb at IBS 2024
Keynon Webb at IBS
Keynon Webb at IBS with Tuskegee team

The trajectory of Keynon Webb’s career changed after he switched majors three years into his studies from mechanical engineering to pursue a career in construction.

The Tuskegee University wide receiver’s time on the football field was coming to a close, and as his focus tightened on finding his long-term career, a trip to the Construction Science and Management career fair on campus helped him find his purpose.

By day’s end he’d secured an internship with Balfour Beatty. “I thought ’This must be what I’m supposed to be doing, because it all happened so fast,’” said Webb.

Webb made the career switch with support from a teammate who’d made a similar change, but also because he knew his skills would translate. He’s naturally quick on his feet, a problem-solver and a strong critical thinker.

He credits Student Chapter Advisory Board Chair Dr. Charner Rodgers with helping him hone his raw talents into lucrative trade skills after he joined Tuskegee University’s student chapter program and competed in the Student Competition at the International Builders’ Show (IBS).

"I learned how much information was needed for the competition," said Webb. "When you think of building a house, you just think of things like building a schedule and gathering materials. But you have to think of all aspects like the target audience of how exactly to sell a home, and what happens if you don’t sell a home."

Webb was tasked with discovering the target audience for his build at the competition, an experience that helps him today in his work as an assistant construction manager at PulteGroup.

“Joining something new can be a little nerve-wracking, but it’s well worth it,” Webb said about his time in the student chapter program. “The tools that you’re going to learn are beyond measure for what you can expect for your future. There are so many people you’re going to meet, so many connections you’re going to gain. It’s an amazing experience. The teammates you make, the coaches you have, it’s like being part of one big family.”

The 2025 Student Competition at IBS will be held Feb. 24-26. Attendees can watch teams compete in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Production and Custom/Small Home Build Competitions will also be livestreamed on the NAHB Student Chapters Facebook page and NAHBTV YouTube channel

Sponsors:

America's Home Place Logo
Builders Mutual logo

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics

May 23, 2025

Volatile Spring Selling Season Continues

Sales of newly built, single-family homes in April increased 10.9% to a 743,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate from a downwardly revised March number, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. The pace of new home sales in April was up 3.3% compared to a year earlier.

Material Costs

May 22, 2025

NAHB Members Cite Impact of Tariff Uncertainty on Home Building

Tariff uncertainty from the Trump administration continues to impact home builders across the country, as builders prepare for potential price hikes and supply chain issues. NAHB members have been sharing the impact that these tariffs are having with media outlets across the United States.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

May 22, 2025

Existing Home Sales Fall in April

Despite the brief retreat in mortgage rates and increased supply, existing home sales dropped to 7-month low in April, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This unexpected decline suggests buyers’ activity continues to be constrained by economic uncertainty and ongoing affordability challenges even with improved market conditions.

Economics

May 22, 2025

Income Growth Helps Mute Existing Affordability Constraints

Despite solid income gains and lower home prices, Americans still continue to face major housing affordability challenges, according to the latest data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI).

Economics

May 21, 2025

Gains for Multifamily Missing Middle over Last Year

The missing middle construction sector includes development of medium-density housing, such as townhouses, duplexes and other small multifamily properties.