While Kiewit internships allow students to gain insight into their future careers, they also give Kiewit employees the opportunity to mentor the next generation of construction and engineering industry employees.
Many Kiewit employees, ranging from field engineers to top executives, began their careers as Kiewit interns.
Over 1,500 Kiewit employees previously interned at the company, making them ideal mentors for those looking to follow similar career paths.
Out of last year’s 1,012 interns, 631 returned to Kiewit for another internship or to accept a full-time position. Even with the restrictions of a virtual internship, these interns were wanting more.
A total of 733 interns from across North America joined Kiewit this year. These interns came from 232 universities and across 91 different majors or fields of study.
While these students may be called interns, they worked alongside Kiewit staff and craft as full members of their teams.
Here’s more about how their Kiewit internship has made an impact on them:
Aaron Wharry at Propane Dehydrogenation project (PDH)
Kara Bjornson at Big Bar project
Lauren Holt at Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility
Dana Bonner at Ottawa Light Rail Transit project
Aaron Wharry
Propane Dehydrogenation project (PDH) | Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
At the PDH site, every day I learn something new about the world of industrial construction: from rigging, to piping, to structural steel, to insulation and of course the amazing people that make it happen. I believe the greatest impact Kiewit has had on my career is learning the importance of effective communication — when it comes to helping others, it’s all about your approach. I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by people who have taken time to invest in my future, and I’m proud to say that every day I’m taking safety to new heights.
Kara Bjornson
Big Bar project | University of Western Ontario
Being an intern on this project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’ve been able to see firsthand how my actions and roles as an intern, no matter how big or small, have a large impact on the project and others. I enjoy the fact that my work has a purpose. Kiewit has given me the opportunity to act as a field engineer, with no discrepancies between myself and other FEs on site, and learn an extraordinary amount in my small amount of time on the project. I am proud and grateful to be a part of this project and will remember it for the rest of my life.
Lauren Holt
Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility | Colorado School of Mines
Not many can say they have been 4,850 feet underground, but I am one of a handful who can. From the 6 a.m. cage ride down, to observing the process of drill, blast, muck and bolt, to getting prepped behind the blast doors for my first rock blast, there is not a moment where it wasn’t exhilarating to learn. This truly is a one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning experience you would not find anywhere else but with Kiewit.
Samuel Madder
Drexel University
This summer I have been able to see just how much planning it takes to run a project in a very busy location. I’ve seen how Kiewit works to protect its employees while working from heights, in confined spaces, and close to traffic. It’s been amazing watching the levels of precaution Kiewit puts in place to protect everyone on its jobsites at all times. Thank you for letting me see how you take care of your employees and showing me what it means to be part of the Kiewit family.
Dana Bonner
Ottawa Light Rail Transit project | Ryerson University
I have always been fascinated by the construction industry and the joy of watching a project progress from start to finish. Working with Kiewit has been such a rewarding experience, and this project is one that I am proud to put my name on. Having grown up in Ottawa, I really feel that I have a first-hand understanding of the social impacts of this project. This project takes the east-most portion of Ottawa and connects it to the west-most portion, bringing the community together so that 77% of us live within 5 kilometers of the train. And not only that, but it will also bring us over 1,000 jobs in these difficult times and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 110,000 tons by 2048. I am so proud to work for Kiewit on this project and to serve the community where I was raised.
