Blog Entries

Every summer, Miron welcomes a number of interns to work in all areas of our company. Every intern has a unique story, so we have invited ten interns to share their journeys on our blog over the next several weeks. Last week we heard from Nick Kippenhan and Collin Zuehlke as well as Cole Schilling and George Sterner and Amber Ronsman and Charlie Hill in previous weeks. This week we will meet Jay Czerniak and Nick Stucke. 

Jay Czerniak – Project Management Intern

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi! My name is Jay Czerniak. I was born and raised in Medford, Wisconsin and will be entering my third year at Michigan Technological University majoring in Civil Engineering. When I was younger, I wanted to be either the Governor of Wisconsin or a United States Senator, depending on the day.

What are your future career goals and how do you plan to reach them?

Looking ahead, my biggest goal is to successfully graduate as a Civil Engineer from Michigan Tech and enter the construction industry. From there I am open to any opportunities that may present themselves as I continue to strive for excellence. But for now my goal is to absorb all the knowledge and experience I can from my time at Miron this summer and from my professors when I return to school.

What interests you about a career in construction?

I am interested in a career in construction due to its fast-paced and ever-changing work environment. In no other industry can you come to work and expect to find a different workplace then the one you started at the day before. There is also something very rewarding about seeing a project come together and knowing you played a role in bringing someone’s dream into existence.

Why did you choose Miron for your internship?

Growing up in Medford, a small town in northcentral Wisconsin, it was not uncommon to see a Miron trailer on job sites around town. Going into a career fair this past year at Michigan Tech, I was scouting companies and saw Miron listed as a company attending the event. Upon receiving an offer, the decision was an easy one for me; Miron allowed me the opportunity to work and grow with a highly respected contractor while staying home and close to my family.

What aspect of your internship do you love the most?

For me this question is probably the hardest to answer. Throughout the course of the project, I’ve experienced a hands-on environment and had the chance to learn the technical language and specifications that exist in the construction industry. I have also had the chance to form meaningful professional relationships across the Miron team and numerous sub-contractors and city officials. However, for me the thing I love the most is being a member of a team and seeing the project that we have all been striving for come to life. Being a part of a team and seeing success is what I love the most about my internship.

Have there been any eye-opening or mind-blowing aspects of your experience so far? What has surprised you the most about this internship?

Coming into the summer with no construction experience, the opportunities for eye-opening experiences are abundant. My project team and all the workers on the site have been more than accommodating to me. They have answered all my questions and have explained on-site and managerial situations that one cannot learn in a classroom.

What advice would you have for next year’s interns?

My advice for next year’s interns would be to talk with and form meaningful relationships with those working around you. Whether they are the owners of your project, a subcontractor, or the guy in the office two desks down, building a relationship with your peers is important. These friendships and the ensuing discussions are what makes this internship so valuable from an educational standpoint, and honestly, it’s what makes it so much fun.

Nick Stucke – Project Management Intern

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi! My name is Nick Stucke. I am currently a student at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville majoring in Building Construction Management and minoring in Construction Safety, with one semester left until graduation.

What are your future career goals and how do you plan to reach them?

In my first years at Miron, I plan to get some small project experience under my belt as well as working on some larger projects. Completing large projects can instill valuable skills that you can’t learn in a classroom; they can challenge one’s dedication and commitment to a project. I plan on reaching my goals through hard work, dedication, and passion. I love the field of construction; it always astonishes me what we can create and achieve in this industry in today’s day and age.

What interests you about a career in construction?

I’ve always been interested and curious about construction and the unique ways you can take a project from the ground to final presentation. But I haven’t always had my mind set on construction. Ever since I was young, engineering has always been my mindset since my dad and uncle were both engineers. When I got to college and took a safety course for a general education credit, I thought the course was amazing along with the professor who, in-fact, used to work for Miron. That is when my mindset changed towards construction. I also had an engineering internship with a mechanical contractor where I was in the field performing HVAC and pipe installs as well as demo work. That internship solidified my decision to go into the construction field rather than engineering. I loved the job site atmosphere and the communication between subs, owners, etc.

Why did you choose Miron for your internship?

Miron has always had an outstanding reputation in the construction industry. I’ve never heard anything negative regarding Miron’s work quality or work atmosphere. Even though this is a large company, everyone is treated as family. That family culture is what Miron’s foundation was built on, and it is what first attracted me to this company.

What aspect of your internship do you love the most?

I love being able to make an owner’s vision and dream come to life. Even though the process can be tough and challenging from start to finish, presenting the result to happy and excited owners makes all the challenges of the project worth it.

Have there been any eye opening or mind-blowing aspects of your experience so far? What has surprised you the most about this internship?

I knew this was going to be a huge learning curve since I haven’t had any construction experience prior to this internship. I have a great support system around me so that makes it much easier to take on new challenges and learn new aspects of the construction industry. Additionally, since my internship project was in my hometown, working on the high school I went to made for a really cool experience.

What advice would you have for next year’s interns?

Ask questions. No question is a dumb question. No matter how easy the task might end up being, confirming what you are doing is right can save you from potentially going back and having to redo something. Another piece of advice I have is to go out and walk the site often. The more familiar you are with what’s going on and who is working where, the easier it is to follow along with your superintendent and foreman on daily tasks and scheduling.

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