KA’s 2021 Interns Reflect on their Summer: Part 2
As the world continues to bounce back amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Kraus-Anderson was able to welcome 12 college interns this summer. The group gained hands-on experience across several KA departments, offices, and jobsites. As the summer comes to an end, some of the interns reflect on highlights over the past few months, lessons learned, and career goals.
Eva Sharot – Project Engineer Intern, Minneapolis
“This internship provided me with a skill set that sitting behind a desk at school could not. Everyone I came across at KA and in the field was very passionate about what they did and I appreciated that.”
School attending and major: Minnesota State University – Mankato, Construction Management
Highlight from the summer: I had many great moments this summer, it’s hard to choose! A few that stick out for me were playing in two of the KA golf events, recording a podcast episode of Build Me Up, running district updates for five of the schools in the WBL district, and connecting with a whole new group industry of personnel.
Any advice to a new intern: When opportunities present themselves, take them, even if they are outside of your comfort zone. Whether it’s a company event or leading a team meeting, do it. Take everything in and learn from the good, bad, and ugly.
Career goals: My plans for the future are to get in with a company that the opportunity for growth is there and attainable. I would like to join a team that sees my potential and helps me achieve it. If I already knew everything, that’d be boring. I want to learn and be challenged throughout my career.
Nick Winter – Project Engineer Intern, Minneapolis
“Seeing how excited and pleased they were with the finished project was a great experience and everyone got a pat on the back for a job well done.”
School attending and major: Minnesota State University – Mankato, Construction Management
Anything that surprised you throughout the summer: I was surprised with how far a project can come in a few short months. When everyone is working together you can really accomplish a lot in a short time.
Biggest challenges: My biggest challenge this summer was keeping track of all of the moving parts going on at once. There is a lot happening at one time and the project is changing every day, so it is easy to get turned around with all of the changes happening everyday.
Biggest takeaway from working at KA: For me, the biggest takeaway from working at KA is how much of a team everyone truly is. Not just your project team but everyone at KA. Everyone has a common goal and is willing to help whenever they can.
Tommy Huber – Project Engineer Intern, Minneapolis
“It was interesting to see how all the different divisions under the Kraus-Anderson umbrella operate together to produce the best products for their clients”
School attending and major: Iowa State University, Construction Engineering
Biggest challenges: Jumping into a fast-paced job that is in varying stages, and getting familiar enough to contribute and answer on-site questions with confidence.
Any advice to a new intern: Ask questions and don’t be afraid to be wrong. You aren’t expected to know everything.
Anything that surprised you throughout the summer: The difficulty of resolving sort of small, random problems that would show up on site. Delays in product delivery, underestimating inventory, and required maintenance of the building all posed problems that were unanticipated and required an on-the-fly solution.
Morgan Seopa – Project Engineer Intern, Duluth
“I always felt welcome, like I was part of the team, I had a reason to be at work, and like I was contributing in some way.”
School attending and major: Bemidji State University, Construction and Facilities Management
Biggest takeaway from working at KA: It is hard to narrow it down to one thing. If I would have to pick it would be the great people I got to work alongside.
Anything that surprised you throughout the summer: All the behind scenes work that there is in construction. There is so much that goes on that the normal person doesn’t realize.
Biggest challenges: Communication between everyone helped. When I first started I would have no clue what some things meant, but by the end when we would have those same conversations, I was able to put all the pieces together and understand the process(es) better.
Jesus Moreno – Project Engineer Intern, Minneapolis
“Do not be afraid to ask too many questions because that is the only way to learn.”
School attending and major: University of Wisconsin – Stout, Construction Management
Biggest takeaway from working at KA: Working in a face-paced environment to help me grow my skills and knowledge in the construction industry. Everyone took the time to answer my questions and explained them, making sure I understood the answer. I am more than grateful for them taking the time to teach me throughout the summer.
Biggest challenges: Working on different software and having to understand what each one does. I would do exercises to help me learn them efficiently.
Highlight from the summer: Having the opportunity to work on a high-rise apartment building, knowing that it will be there for time to come. Every floor was in different stages, and seeing the units transform from nothing to final completion helped me understand the steps of the project.
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