Every year, hundreds of interns join project and office teams around the company. This year, more than 800 interns stepped into hard hats and office chairs, bringing fresh perspectives and soaking up invaluable hands-on experience.
From day one, they shared their excitement, capturing moments from their internships and reflecting on what they hoped to learn, why they returned for another summer and what they were most excited to work on.
Throughout the summer, they continued to share their experiences, thoughts and insights.
They shared lessons you can’t learn in class:
“In classrooms, they teach you how to learn to pass the class. In the field, you learn how to learn in a more self-directed way: asking questions, making inferences and doing a task over and over and over until you get it. It’s less about memorizing and more about understanding, adapting and problem-solving.”
Athena He, Estimating Intern, Grapevine, Texas
“One of my most rewarding experiences was building strong relationships with the craft professionals. As a field engineer, supporting the field is a core responsibility. My goal was to serve as the bridge between staff and craft, and I’m proud to say I earned that trust through collaboration.”
Dylan Thomas, Field/Office Intern, Orange, Texas
“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned during this internship is that leadership doesn’t always come with a title. It emerges in moments when quick thinking, clear communication and confidence are needed most.
In the office, it’s raw and real. Whether it’s coordinating with multiple teams to solve an issue or stepping up to communicate a delay, I’ve had to practice being adaptable and assertive. That kind of learning happens only when you’re in the middle of things, making decisions under pressure while earning trust from those around you.”
Will Clippard, Electrical Design Engineer Intern, Lenexa, Kansas
“One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned during my internship is how important it is not to approach safety like a ‘safety cop.’ In the classroom, we study rules, regulations and procedures, but on the jobsite, I’ve learned that how you apply that knowledge makes all the difference.
People don’t respond well to someone who just shows up to point fingers or throws the book at them. What they do respond to is someone who listens, understands the challenges they face and uses their knowledge to support, not punish them.”
Jan Muelderings, Safety Intern, Alberta, Canada
Matt Feldman, three-time summer intern with Corporate Communication, walks us through some of the exciting work he took part in over the summer and some of the stories he helped bring to life:
They shared proud moments:
“What has really made me feel part of the Kiewit team was when my mentor assigned me a full scope of work to do. I had to coordinate the subs and our crews, complete the workplans and get all the proper documents and permits, then execute the scope of work while making sure everything was done smoothly and safely. I was a little nervous at first, but this experience ended up giving me some confidence in my project management abilities.”
Beatrice Gregory, Field/Office Intern, Ontario, Canada
Beatrice Gregory spent her summer on the Little Long Dam Safety Project in Eastern Canada. See what she keeps on hand while working on site:
“A moment that made me feel proud while at Kiewit was volunteering at the Houston Food Bank. Knowing that I played a part to help those who are in need made me feel uplifted because I always want to help those who need it. I am grateful to intern at a company that cares about helping the community.”
Ricardo Blanco, Finance Analyst Intern, Houston, Texas
The interns documented their experiences through photos from jobsites and offices across North America.
They shared advice for future interns:
“Be a sponge. Take in as much as you can. But, more importantly, think about how each piece of information fits into the bigger picture. Ask questions — not just to get answers, but to understand the why behind the work. Stay curious, stay humble and stay sharp. The faster you learn to think like a builder, not just an intern, the more valuable your experience will be.”
Elisha Green, Field Engineer Intern, Portland, Oregon
“Be a ‘Yes’ person. Whether it’s on the job or outside the office, saying yes opens the door to learning and growth. Don’t be afraid to take on tasks you’ve never done before. Even something as simple as a takeoff or helping out with a new crew can teach you tons.”
Samuel Duerr, Field/Office Engineer Intern, Honolulu, Hawaii
Alexis Larose, Stagiaire de chantier/bureau, Québec, Canada
Athena He, Estimating Intern, Grapevine, Texas
Dylan Fritz, Electrical Engineer Intern, Lone Tree, Colorado
Helena Stewart, Field/Office Intern, Omaha, Nebraska
Cody Damme, Field/Office Engineer, Honolulu, Hawaii
Jack Martin, Field/Office Intern, Lenexa, Kansas
Madysen Nguyen, Laborer, Plaquemine, Louisiana
Noah Sanchez, Field/Office Engineer Intern, Van Nuys, California
Olivia Shapiro, Safety Intern, Ontario, Canada
Alana DeVilbiss, Field/Office Engineer Intern, Baltimore, Maryland
Ridouanala Massaoudo, Stagiaire de chantier/bureau, Ontario, Canada
Ryan Hembree, Equipment Intern, Houma, Louisiana
Ryder Greeneltch, Power Transmission Line Intern, Columbus, Ohio
Silvia Davids, Intern, Brewer, Maine
This year’s interns also collaborated to create a playlist, featuring songs from the 1970s to today.
As the summer wraps up, these interns return to their campuses and next adventures. But their impacts remain — in the relationships they built, the work they completed and the ideas they shared. Their contributions remind us that the future of our company, and our industry, is being shaped today by the curiosity and drive of the next generation.
