5 minute read
CONSTRUCTING A CAREER
CONSTRUCTING A CAREER
HOW PI KAPPA PHI PROPERTIES BECAME THE BLUEPRINT FOR ONE BROTHER'S SUCCESS
By: Rachel Greene
When Cole Bienish, Epsilon Eta (Winthrop), started searching for an internship to complete his business administration degree at Winthrop University, he wasn’t looking for just any experience. He wasn’t interested in making coffee runs or pushing papers; he wanted real, hands-on exposure to project management. He wanted work that would challenge him, push him and prepare him for his future career.
Instead of settling for a typical corporate internship or waiting for a perfect opportunity to come to him, Bienish took a chance. His passion for project management and operations led him to take an interest in Pi Kappa Phi Properties, the Pi Kappa Phi entity that works to ensure that housed chapters have safe, competitive and well-managed housing. So, he reached out to Pi Kappa Phi Properties President Greg Buehner on LinkedIn.
“A key to finding the right internship is seeking it out,” said Bienish. “Great opportunities won’t always fall into your lap, but knowing who’s in your network is a great place to start.”
That simple message set Bienish on a path that not only shaped his professional skills but also gave him a front-row seat to the work of Pi Kappa Phi Properties, deepening his understanding of the behind-the-scenes work that powers Pi Kappa Phi’s housed chapters.
Many of his peers spent their internships in administrative roles, filing paperwork and watching from the sidelines. But when Bienish joined Pi Kappa Phi Properties, he was immediately handed a real project that had nothing to do with coffee.
Working alongside the small but mighty Properties team, Bienish was tasked with finding ways to reduce costs for housed chapters across the country.
At first, the challenge seemed daunting. “I remember thinking, ‘How could I, a brand-new intern, possibly find ways to cut costs?’” said Bienish. But then, he started digging, analyzing expenses and searching for inefficiencies. One seemingly minor detail jumped out: cable TV expenses.
Before this experience, I never realized how much work goes on behind the scenes to ensure that brothers have a great place to call home.
“I realized that many chapter houses were still being charged for cable, even though my own chapter never used it. After looking at the numbers, I discovered the cable company had failed to cancel services even after they were no longer needed. As a result, Properties was unknowingly being billed hundreds of dollars a month for services some chapters didn’t even realize they had.”
With one simple but strategic fix, Bienish worked with the provider to eliminate those unnecessary charges, saving Pi Kappa Phi Properties $90,000 a year. That $90,000 could be reinvested in improvements to chapter facilities, reducing housing costs and enhancing resources for undergraduate members nationwide.
“When I saw the final numbers, I couldn’t believe it,” Bienish said. “That $90,000 will allow us to focus on giving brothers the best housed chapter experience.”
Through his experience, Bienish saw firsthand that Pi Kappa Phi Properties isn’t just about owning houses or maintaining buildings; it’s about enhancing the fraternity experience by providing a place for brotherhood.
“The Properties team is incredible,” Bienish said. “They’re a small team, but they do everything possible to serve students and chapters. Before this experience, I never realized how much work goes on behind the scenes to ensure that brothers have a great place to call home.”
Since its founding in 1966, Pi Kappa Phi Properties has been a partner in helping chapters acquire, construct, improve and manage their housing. Whether owning chapter houses outright, supporting alumni-corporation-owned properties or providing asset management services for third-party leasing, Properties ensures that Pi Kappa Phi chapters remain competitive on their campuses.
From the Infrastructure Loan Fund and Housing Investment Fund to real estate consulting, Bienish saw firsthand how Pi Kappa Phi Properties invests in the future of its members. “We don’t always realize it as undergraduates, but having strong housing makes a huge difference in the fraternity experience,” said Bienish. “It brings brothers together, strengthens alumni connections and ultimately ensures that Pi Kappa Phi remains a top fraternity on campus.”
Today, Bienish is traveling the country as a leadership consultant for Pi Kappa Phi, continuing to serve the fraternity in a new capacity. However, the lessons he learned from Pi Kappa Phi Properties continue to shape his future. The problem-solving, cost analysis and operational efficiency skills he developed during his internship laid a strong foundation for his future career in project management, where he hopes to make a lasting impact.
Yet, no matter where his career takes him, Bienish knows he’ll always carry the values and experiences gained from his time with Pi Kappa Phi Properties. One day, he hopes to return, not as an intern but as a leader who helps move the organization forward.
Through his experience, Bienish found that the best internships don’t just prepare you for a job; they inspire you to give back to the places that helped you grow. Most importantly, he learned that Pi Kappa Phi Properties is about more than houses; it’s about building the foundation for lifelong brotherhood.
As a recent graduate and now former intern, Bienish has advice for those looking to make the most of their internship experience:
Ask questions: “Now is the time to learn without fear of not knowing something. Take the initiative to learn from the professionals who surround you with years of expertise.”
Build relationships: “Talk to the people around you. Everyone has something to teach you, whether your fellow interns or full-time staff members.”
Seek meaningful work: “Don’t settle for an internship where you’re just a spectator. Find a role that challenges you and gives you real experience.”
